India and Uzbekistan have formalized a long-term uranium supply agreement, announced on August 30 in Tashkent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during bilateral talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The deal comes as part of a two-day visit that marked a significant upgrade in relations between the two countries: ties have been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with new coordination mechanisms at the ministerial level.
The two leaders agreed to establish a structured framework for uranium supply from Uzbekistan to India, within the scope of civil nuclear cooperation. Discussions also covered rare earth mineral extraction sites. Modi told delegates: “We will establish a long-term agreement for uranium supply” — a brief statement, but one that speaks volumes about New Delhi’s strategic direction. Beyond energy, the talks addressed trade, investment, digital connectivity and defence, with the stated goal of bringing bilateral trade volume to five billion dollars.
Uzbekistan ranks among the world’s ten largest uranium producers, with significant reserves in the Navoi region. For India, diversifying its nuclear fuel supply sources is a concrete priority: the country aims to significantly expand its installed nuclear capacity to meet growing domestic energy demand. The agreement with Tashkent adds to the one already signed with Canada — where Cameco will supply approximately 22 million pounds of uranium between 2027 and 2035, worth around 1.9 billion dollars — and reinforces a procurement strategy that deliberately targets a broad base of suppliers.
The choice of Uzbekistan is no coincidence. Central Asia is emerging as an energy and trade corridor of growing interest to New Delhi, including from a geopolitical standpoint. Direct access to Uzbek uranium means reducing dependence on any single supplier and strengthening India’s position in international civil nuclear negotiations. Modi also received Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik, which he dedicated to the “enduring” bond between the two peoples — a gesture that reflects how this partnership extends well beyond the energy dimension.
On the institutional side, the two countries will establish a Coordination Council at the level of foreign ministers and upgrade the Joint Commission from a technical to a ministerial level. These are mechanisms designed to ensure continuity and translate agreements into operational cooperation over time. If India manages to maintain this pace of bilateral deals — Canada, Uzbekistan, and likely others to follow — its civil nuclear programme could, within the next few years, boast one of the most diversified procurement bases in the world, reducing risks tied to market volatility and geopolitical pressure on individual suppliers.
