India and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with a renewed focus on parliamentary cooperation, trade, investment, education and cultural exchanges, during a meeting between Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov at Parliament House on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on India-Uzbekistan relations, including parliamentary collaboration, economic cooperation and issues of mutual regional and global interest.
Welcoming the visiting dignitary, Birla said India and Uzbekistan are connected through centuries-old historical, cultural and civilizational ties, which continue to serve as a strong foundation for the enduring friendship between the two countries. He expressed confidence that growing political trust, expanding trade and investment, and increasing people-to-people exchanges would further deepen the bilateral partnership in the coming years.
Highlighting India’s democratic traditions, Birla said the country, as the world’s largest democracy, has a vibrant parliamentary system that reflects the aspirations and diversity of its people. He noted that the 543-member Lok Sabha represents millions of citizens across the country, while India’s multi-party democratic framework provides equal opportunities for diverse viewpoints and constructive debate.
The Speaker also briefed the visiting minister on the functioning of the Indian Parliament, noting that it convenes three sessions annually. He said the ongoing Monsoon Session is actively deliberating on several matters of national importance.
Birla highlighted India’s achievements in infrastructure development, digital innovation, technology, connectivity, investment and trade. He observed that Indian youth are increasingly assuming leadership roles on the global stage and that collaboration between Indian institutions and leading international universities continues to expand.
Referring to the India-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, constituted in March 2026, Birla expressed confidence that the initiative would provide fresh impetus to legislative engagement and strengthen cooperation across economic, educational, cultural and people-to-people domains.
Recalling his participation in the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Tashkent in April 2025, Birla said his interactions with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva, and Speaker of the Legislative Chamber Nuriddin Ismailov had laid a strong foundation for sustained parliamentary collaboration between the two countries.
Expressing satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral relations, the Lok Sabha Speaker said the current visit of the Uzbek Foreign Minister would further strengthen the comprehensive partnership between India and Uzbekistan.
Saidov reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to expanding its multifaceted partnership with India and said Tashkent attaches high importance to enhancing political, economic and parliamentary cooperation.
Praising India’s democratic institutions, Saidov said Uzbekistan could benefit significantly from the legislative experience of the world’s largest democracy. He added that stronger parliamentary engagement would play an important role in advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Uzbek Foreign Minister also called for greater cooperation in trade, investment, joint projects and emerging sectors, underscoring the need for a shared vision to unlock new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.
To mark the occasion, Saidov presented Birla with a special commemorative publication documenting the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, hosted by Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
