Key Facts
- Meeting Date
- Tuesday, 04 Aug 2026
- Location
- New Delhi
- Participants
- Om Birla and Bakhtiyor Saidov
- Key Topics
- Parliamentary cooperation, trade, investment, connectivity, education, culture
- Friendship Group Formed
- March this year
- Saidov's Visit
- Official visit, arrived Monday, met Jaishankar and President Murmu
Background
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in New Delhi on Tuesday. The two leaders discussed strengthening parliamentary cooperation between India and Uzbekistan, enhancing dialogue between parliaments, accelerating the activities of parliamentary friendship groups, and promoting exchange of experiences in law-making.
The conversation also covered issues such as trade, investment, connectivity, education, culture, and increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
Current Situation
Bakhtiyor Saidov described the meeting as positive and meaningful on the social media platform 'X'. He said parliamentary diplomacy can play an important role in further strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan.
Both sides considered ways to increase dialogue between parliaments and share experiences in the field of law-making. Birla recalled his visit to Uzbekistan in April 2025, thanking the country for the warm welcome and traditional hospitality during the 150th anniversary assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
During that visit, he had met Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva, and Chairman of the Legislative Chamber Nuriddin Ismoilov.
Impacts
Birla said the talks with Saidov focused on further strengthening the long-standing friendship between India and Uzbekistan. Both sides also discussed promoting trade, investment, connectivity, education, culture, and people-to-people contacts.
Birla noted that the Indian Parliament formed the India-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in March this year. It includes members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This group will serve as an important platform to advance cooperation in various fields, including economic development, education, culture, and humanitarian initiatives.
Saidov arrived in New Delhi on Monday on an official visit to India. During the visit, he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and also called on President Droupadi Murmu. He also participated in the Uzbekistan-India Business Forum, where emphasis was laid on enhancing economic and business ties between the two countries.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
The meeting highlighted parliamentary contacts as an important part of the broader framework of India-Uzbekistan relations. Regular parliamentary dialogue, active friendship groups, and exchange of legislative experiences could help further strengthen the strategic partnership.
If the two countries continue to build on these parliamentary exchanges, they may see deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and connectivity. However, the actual outcomes will depend on the implementation of the discussed initiatives and the continuation of high-level engagement.
Should the parliamentary friendship group become fully operational, it could serve as a sustained platform for bilateral cooperation. Yet, the pace and scope of progress remain to be seen, as no specific timelines or commitments were announced.
Source: DD News
