PM Modi conferred the Order of 'Oliy Darajali Dustlik,' Uzbekistan's supreme state award

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Sunday conferred the Order of "Oliy Darajali Dustlik," Uzbekistan's supreme state award, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Tashkent.

The honour came as Modi held delegation-level talks with Mirziyoyev, during which the two countries decided to elevate their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

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"After two days, it is 31st anniversary of your Independence Day, I extend my good wishes in advance. Coincidentally, we are celebrating the 15th anniversary of strategic partnership. I am happy that on this occasion, we are going to make it Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, under this, we will set strong goals... To take our bilateral economic partnership forward, you have decided future timeline by identifying the projects in all the important sectors, I appreciate, I believe together we will progress," Modi said.

Modi also thanked Uzbekistan for the welcome extended to him. "I extend my gratefulness for the welcome I received here... I enjoyed the performance of talented kids, it felt as if India, Gujarat have come here. You painted the city with the tricolour, it was touching, it shows your love for India," he said.

Mirziyoyev, in turn, praised India's progress under Modi's leadership. "Your Excellency, Mr Modi, I believe that under your leadership, India is achieving remarkable results across all sectors, maintaining high rates of economic growth and implementing major projects. India is making truly outstanding advances in digitalisation, information technology, artificial intelligence, space exploration, and many other fields. New Delhi's voice and influence in global affairs have grown even stronger. As your close friends, we are, of course, very pleased to see all these achievements," he said.

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Following the Uzbekistan leg of his visit, Modi is scheduled to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he will join the Opening Ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games at the Bishkek Arena stadium, a celebration of Central Asia's cultural heritage along with other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries.