India and Uzbekistan Set Course to Double Trade to $2.6 Billion
At the 14th session of the India–Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, both governments agreed to double bilateral trade to $2.6 billion within three years — and to a time-bound mechanism for removing the non-tariff barriers that slow it.
Focus: Trade
2025 turnover $1.3 bn · +33.3%
From $1.3 Billion to $2.6 Billion
Bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025, up 33.3 per cent on the previous year. Indian exports accounted for roughly $1.15 billion — led by pharmaceuticals, mechanical equipment, vehicle components, services and optical instruments — while Uzbekistan’s exports to India, mainly fruit and vegetable products, fertilisers and juices, stood at about $165 million.
The Commission, co-chaired by India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Shokhrukh Gulamov, set the target of doubling that figure to $2.6 billion within three years.
The gap between the two directions of trade is itself the opportunity: Uzbek agro-exports, textiles and minerals have significant headroom in the Indian market, and Indian manufacturing has headroom in Uzbekistan’s import substitution programme.
Focus: Advocacy
Delhi ⇄ Tashkent
Non-Tariff Barriers, on a Clock
Both sides agreed to a time-bound mechanism to resolve non-tariff barriers — the approvals, standards, testing, certification, customs procedures and market-access requirements that Commerce Secretary Agrawal said “need regular review.”
For businesses this is the practical core of the agreement. Recognition of test results and certificates, predictable customs treatment and faster registration are what convert a trade target into shipments.
The Council’s government-liaison work now feeds directly into this mechanism: member issues are documented, aggregated and raised through the standing G2G channel. The 15th session of the Commission will be held in India.
The Bharat–Uzbekistan Business Council was established to turn commitments like these into measurable outcomes — registered ventures, signed agreements and delegations delivered. To explore the project bank or join as a member, contact the Council at contact@bubc.org.
Non-tariff barriers relating to approvals, standards, testing, certification, customs procedures and market-access requirements need regular review. — Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary, India
Key commitments:
- Double bilateral trade to $2.6 billion within three years
- Time-bound mechanism to resolve non-tariff barriers
- 15th Intergovernmental Commission to be held in India
