Sources: narendramodi.in

India and Uzbekistan have expanded cooperation on environmental protection, climate change and ecological restoration as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Uzbekistan.

During talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in environmental protection. The agreement was signed between India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

The agreement was among 11 bilateral agreements and programmes concluded during Modi’s visit. The wider package covered areas including mining, tourism, higher education, traditional medicine, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Aral Sea Region Becomes A Key Focus

Environmental cooperation also includes India’s support for ecological rehabilitation in the Aral Sea region.

The Indian government said the two countries identified common ground between Uzbekistan’s “Yashil Makon” green initiative and India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” tree-planting campaign. India announced a $1 million grant for environmental rehabilitation efforts in the Aral Sea region. Modi and Mirziyoyev also jointly planted a tree during the visit.

The Aral Sea has undergone major environmental changes over several decades. The drying of the lake has contributed to land degradation, dust and salt exposure, and pressure on communities across the region. Restoration efforts therefore involve both environmental and social challenges.

Climate Cooperation Expands Beyond Tree Planting

The new environmental agreement provides a formal framework for cooperation between the two countries. The official announcement places the agreement within a broader expansion of India-Uzbekistan ties.

The partnership comes as India continues to pursue its climate targets under the Paris Agreement. India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its gross domestic product by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.