In order to further deepen cooperation with India in the field of healthcare, the President considers it important to promote joint projects for the production of pharmaceuticals, accelerate the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates, launch training programs for virologists, based on the teachings of Ayurveda and yoga practice, as well as the treatises of Ibn Sina, to widely implement methods of traditional medicine, which will complement the achievements of modern healthcare.

For the systematic implementation of these initiatives, he proposed to hold the India-Central Asia Health Forum annually.

“In order to deepen further cooperation in the field of education, we propose to develop a roadmap focused on opening branches of universities and vocational education centers, establishing scientific and academic exchange, supporting innovative developments and start-ups,” Mirziyoyev said.

In addition, in order to develop regional cooperation in the IT sphere, the head of Uzbekistan proposed to develop an action program in such areas as the introduction of digital innovations, fintech and blockchain technologies, cybersecurity, and training of specialists. “For the practical implementation of this initiative, we are ready to use the platform of the Uzbek-Indian Information Technologies Center named after Jawaharlal Nehru,” the President noted.

He pointed out the deepening of economic partnership as the second most important strategic priority.

In order to stimulate direct contacts at the level of business and regions of our countries, it is proposed to give new dynamics to the activities of the India-Central Asia Business Council. According to Mirziyoyev, the Council should actively promote the establishment of long-term partnerships between entrepreneurs to identify new growth points in the field of investment and trade based on the complementarity factor.

At the same time, the main constraint in the dynamic development of our economic relations, he believes, remains the lack of a direct land transport link between India and Central Asia.

“In this regard, we have started working on a new corridor through the port of Chabahar. This port can and should become a key link in the delivery of goods between our countries within the framework of the North-South initiative. We support the proposal to launch the format of meetings of the ministers of transport of our countries,” the President of Uzbekistan said.

The third priority area is cooperation in the cultural-humanitarian sphere.

“In order to preserve our common heritage for future generations, we propose to develop a joint program of events that provides for the cooperation of museums, the organization of exhibitions and conferences, including in an online format, the digitalization of manuscript collections and the creation of joint virtual libraries, the study of the common historical and archaeological heritage,” Mirziyoyev added.