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Tea Diplomacy: Uzbekistan Seeks Increased Indian Tea Imports To Boost Trade And Culture

January 3, 2025, 3:10 pm

It would be interesting if Uzbekistan-a nation with the deepest cultural traditions related to tea-was importing even more tea from India. The importance of tea in Uzbek life goes beyond its merely being a welcome beverage before meals, during, and after as well.

An official from Uzbekistan hoped to revive the influx of Indian tea, which was once the dominant variety in the country but has seen a decline in recent years. “We are a tea-drinking nation, and in earlier times, it was primarily Indian tea that we were used to consuming. However, imports from India declined, and now we hope to import more from India,” said the official.

Statistics show that in 2022, Uzbekistan imported $63.1 million worth of tea, with the majority ($41.5 million) coming from China. However, India’s tea exports to Uzbekistan are still not so significant. Being the second-largest global tea producer, with annual exports worth $706 million, India is interested in finding ways to increase its tea shipments to Uzbekistan.

A recent trade delegation from India had visited Kolkata. The delegation discussed the tea industry’s prospects with officials and renewed the hope of expansion in tea export. The development is in tune with India’s overall objective to enhance trade relationship with Uzbekistan, which currently ranks among India’s top 10 trade partners. Bilateral trade between India and Uzbekistan stood at $756.6 million last fiscal, with exports from India to Uzbekistan having touched $512 million, majorly packaged medicaments, raw sugar, and vaccines.

India’s exports to Uzbekistan have increased at an annual rate of 18.9% over the last five years, which has further strengthened the trade relationship between the two countries.

Russia Arrests Uzbek Suspect In Bombing Of General Kirillov, Ukraine Denies Involvement

December 18, 2024, 11:15 pm

A source informed that Russia arrested the citizen of Uzbekistan alleging he was behind the explosion with the bomb that killed Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov-the renowned officer. His recruitment is said to be reportedly from Ukraine’s security agency; in return, this young man, 29-year-old, was to get $100,000 plus residence in the EU.

On Tuesday the attack happened in the southeast Moscow as a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded, killing Kirillov and his assistant. Kirillov was the head of Russia’s military chemical, biological, and radiological weapons unit and Ukraine accused him of using chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops, something Russia denies.

Russian authorities said that he was sent from Ukraine intelligence services to Moscow. Video by the Baza news website showed the man narrating details of his actions, describing how he bought the electric scooter, planted the bomb, and then detonated it remotely when Kirillov left the building.

The suspect said that his mission was coordinated by operatives based in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service took responsibility for the assassination, calling the act a retaliation for Kirillov’s alleged war crimes. The Kremlin, in response, condemned Ukraine’s “nazi regime” and reiterated the legitimacy of Russia’s actions in the ongoing conflict.

Russia’s FSB intelligence service, which has taken intense criticism for its lapses during the war, now works to identify additional culprits involved in the assassination plot. Another part of the investigation goes towards the growing anti-migrant sentiments in Russia, given by the Uzbek citizenship of the suspect and recent terrorist attacks from radicalized Central Asians.

Further tensions have been created by an incendiary editorial in the UK’s Times newspaper, which described Kirillov’s murder as a “legitimate act of defense.” Russian officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, threatened retribution against the journalists of the publication that ran the editorial, prompting sharp responses from British authorities.

Crown Prince of Dubai Maktoum and Uzbekistan Defence Minister on way to boost ties

September 29, 2024, 9:16 pm

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, met with Lieutenant General Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizomovich, Minister of Defence of Uzbekistan.

Strengthening Strategic Partnership

The meeting explored new approaches to further broaden the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries, which has yielded significant results across 41 sectors. Sheikh Hamdan reiterated the UAE leadership’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that defence cooperation remains central to advancing mutual interests. It also aligns with both nations’ approach to strengthening international partnerships.

The meeting reviewed potential joint initiatives, including collaboration in defence and the exchange of expertise between the two countries.

Discussion on Regional and Global Challenges

Both sides also discussed regional and global issues, stressing the need for effective solutions to global challenges and underscoring the importance of international security and peace for sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan and the Uzbek Minister of Defence witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on military cooperation between the UAE and Uzbekistan.

The MoU was signed by Mattar Salem Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the UAE, and Norboev Alisher Tokhtaevich, Deputy Minister of Defence for Armament and Equipment, on behalf of Uzbekistan. The agreement includes collaboration in training, education, and the exchange of defence industry expertise.

Attendance of High-Level Officials

The meeting was attended by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Mattar Salem Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence; Major General Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries within the Ministry of Defence; and Saeed Matar Al Qemzi, UAE Ambassador to Uzbekistan.

Nirmala Sitharaman To Attend AIIB Meet And Sign Treaty In Uzbekistan

September 23, 2024, 9:35 pm

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) annual meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 25-26. India, the second-largest shareholder of AIIB, will play a key role in the discussions.

Key Highlights of the AIIB Meeting

As the Indian Governor to the AIIB, Sitharaman will engage in multilateral talks with representatives from over 80 countries. The discussions will focus on sustainable infrastructure development, global economic challenges, and strengthening investments in productive sectors.

Bilateral Meetings with Key Leaders

In addition to attending the AIIB Board of Governors meeting, Sitharaman is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, and China. These discussions aim to deepen economic cooperation between India and these nations.

Signing of Bilateral Investment Treaty

A significant highlight of the visit is the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan. This treaty will promote investments, trade, and industry collaboration for long-term mutual benefits.

Business Forum and Diaspora Interaction

Sitharaman will also participate in the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum, where industry leaders from both countries will discuss future business collaborations. Additionally, she will meet with the Indian diaspora and visit landmarks like the Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent.

Russia Aims to Construct Central Asia’s First Nuclear Power Plant in Uzbekistan

May 27, 2024, 11:15 pm

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that Russia would construct a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, marking the first such project in post-Soviet Central Asia. This nuclear deal, if realized, would demonstrate Russia’s capability to export not just energy but also advanced technology to emerging Asian markets, amid increasing Western pressure through sanctions.

Mirziyoyev also expressed Uzbekistan’s interest in boosting oil and gas purchases from Russia, a departure from the longstanding practice of Moscow importing hydrocarbons from Central Asia. Describing Putin’s visit as “historic,” the Uzbek president emphasized the beginning of a new era in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, a sentiment echoed by Putin, who hailed Tashkent as Moscow’s “strategic partner and reliable ally.”

As per Kremlin documents, Russian state nuclear firm Rosatom will construct up to six nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts, in Uzbekistan. This project represents a smaller-scale endeavor compared to the 2.4-gigawatt project agreed upon in 2018, which is yet to be finalized. Despite being uranium producers, none of the five ex-Soviet Central Asian republics currently operate nuclear power plants, although Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have long argued for their necessity to support their growing economies.

Highlighting the importance of nuclear energy for energy security and sustainable development, Mirziyoyev emphasized that many leading countries rely on nuclear power. Leveraging Russia’s initiative to redirect gas exports to Asia amidst tensions with the West over Ukraine, Uzbekistan began importing Russian natural gas last October, alleviating pressure on its own gas production and averting an energy crisis.

Both leaders discussed expanding cooperation beyond energy, including large-scale projects in mining, metals, and chemicals. Despite Uzbekistan’s reliance on remittances from laborers in Russia, leaders in the region have not openly supported Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, while maintaining ties with the West on projects such as alternative cargo shipping routes to bypass Russia.

Indian Women’s Football Team Ready To Take On Uzbekistan Challenge

May 20, 2024, 7:23 pm

The potential players for the Indian women’s football team are presently undergoing training in Hyderabad, gearing up for their upcoming two international friendly matches against Uzbekistan.

India is scheduled to participate in two international friendly matches against Uzbekistan on May 31 and June 4. Last year, the Blue Tigresses played against Uzbekistan twice, narrowly losing both matches with scores of 2-3 and 0-1, respectively.

Women’s football in India underwent a transformation in the 2023-24 season, marked by the Indian Women’s League being conducted on a home-and-away basis for the first time. This change extended the league over four months.

India captain Loitongbam Ashalata Devi believes that this adjustment has significantly benefited the players as they approach the May-June international window for women.

“We have so many junior players this time that there’s a certain energy in the camp. We have all been playing for five-six months, starting with the IWL, followed by the Senior Women’s NFC,” Ashalata told the-aiff.com. “One can clearly see that the players are all in the right fitness zone, which is always helpful before international matches. It means we can concentrate more on technical and tactical training before the matches.”

Midfielder Karthika Angamuthu also conveyed her excitement about commencing a national camp with all the players already in peak condition.

“After the IWL we had a week’s rest before the Nationals (Senior Women’s NFC for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy). I think everyone’s had just the right balance of practice and rest for the last five months, so all the players look fit and fresh,” said Karthika.

Speaking about their opponents Uzbekistan, Ashalata said, “Uzbekistan are a strong team though we have played quite a few matches against them in recent years. They seem to have changed the way they operate, however, since their Japanese coach (Midori Honda) took over.”

“They used to play a lot of direct football before, with a lot of long, aerial balls to break down the opponents. They have now adopted a more technical game, where they like to keep the ball on the ground and play it between each other,” she said. “We did reasonably well against them last year, but we have to be prepared to play our best game in these two matches.”

On May 17, during their first training session, the team received a visit from former India captains Shabbir Ali and Victor Amalraj. Blue Tigresses’ forward Anju Tamang expressed her delight at the chance to meet these two Indian football legends.

“The training sessions have been great thus far, and we were all glad to have been visited by Shabbir sir and Victor sir before our first training session,” said Tamang. “I’ve never had the opportunity to meet them before, though I’ve read a lot about them online. They are living legends for us, and we got a lot of motivation from them. They encouraged us to train hard and focus on getting the results in the two matches,” she said.

The Blue Tigresses are coming off their most successful outing in the Turkish Women’s Cup, where they secured the runners-up position in a tournament that featured teams like Estonia (4-3), Hong Kong (2-0), and Kosovo (0-1). Ashalata remarked, “Our team is making significant progress. The results in the Turkish Women’s Cup demonstrate this, as we performed admirably against quality European teams. It’s crucial for us to continue competing in such matches during international windows to enhance our skills. Playing against such teams teaches us a lot, from tactics and formations to decision-making.”

“Yes, we lost against Kosovo in our last match, but the fact that we managed to hold such a strong team till injury time speaks a lot. It’s the small things that make the difference against such teams, and our girls are also learning them,” said Ashalata.

Indian senior women’s team friendly fixtures in Tashkent:
May 31: Uzbekistan vs India
June 4: Uzbekistan vs India.

Delhi Police Nab 2 Foreign Nationals for Counterfeit Dollar Scheme

April 20, 2024, 8:31 pm

Delhi Police busted a foreign racket engaged in distributing counterfeit US dollars and apprehended two individuals from Uzbekistan on April 18, police stated on Saturday.

The individuals involved have been named as Mirodial Umarov (30) and Farrukh Rasulov (33). These foreign nationals were specifically targeting money changers.

DCP Devesh Mahla said, “The operation unfolded when Kapil Kumar, owner of Easy Forex, noticed suspicious behaviour from the two foreign nationals. They approached his shop, seeking to exchange US $100 bills for Indian rupees. Upon closer inspection, Kumar suspected the authenticity of the notes and alerted the police patrolling team nearby.”

He added that both individuals hailed from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Upon conducting a search of their possessions, the police discovered a substantial quantity of counterfeit US currency totaling $12,000 in $100 denominations.

A case under Section 420/511/34 IPC was filed at Police Station Connaught Place. Upon investigation, it was found that the accused had entered India on April 15 and were staying at a hotel in Paharganj.

“Further, the accused confessed to their involvement in a previous incident on April 16, where they had successfully exchanged counterfeit US $7000 for Rs. 5,80,000 from another money changer,” DCP Mahla said.

The police confiscated the counterfeit notes found during the incident. Both individuals, Mirodial Umarov and Farrukh Rasulov, were brought before the court and remanded to police custody. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in New Delhi has been informed about the arrests.

The investigation of the case is currently ongoing.

Cough syrups made in India for export will be checked in government labs

May 23, 2023, 4:10 pm

The Indian government has introduced new testing requirements for the export of cough syrups. Effective from June 1, exporters will need to obtain a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from specified laboratories in order to export cough syrups. The designated laboratories include Indian Pharmacopoeia Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh Commission, CDL Kolkata in West Bengal, CDTL Chennai in Tamil Nadu, CDTL Mumbai in Maharashtra, CDTL Hyderabad in Telangana, RDTL Chandigarh, and RDTL Guwahati in Assam. Additionally, any NABL-accredited state drugs testing laboratory can issue the CoA.

This decision comes in response to reports linking the deaths of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan to syrups manufactured in India. Following these allegations, the Health Ministry initiated an investigation and temporarily suspended the production licenses of the concerned pharmaceutical firms. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) also submitted a proposal to the Union Health Ministry in relation to these allegations.

According to statistics from the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the domestic pharmaceutical market in India was valued at USD 42 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 65 billion by 2024 and is expected to expand further, reaching USD 120-130 billion by 2030. With this exponential growth, India aims to become a reliable provider of high-quality medicines to the global market. The Indian pharmaceutical market encompasses various therapeutic segments, including anti-infectives, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, anti-diabetic, respiratory, dermatological, musculo-skeletal, nervous system, and others. It can also be categorized based on drug types, such as prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.

India joins Japan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan in Group C of AFC Olympic Football Tournament

May 18, 2023, 3:57 pm

The Indian women’s football team, which has qualified for the AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, has been placed in Group C along with Japan, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan.

The draw was held on Thursday. The Indian women’s football team, also known as the Blue Tigresses, is ranked 61st in the world. Japan is ranked 11th in the world, Vietnam is placed 33rd, and Uzbekistan is in the 50th position, according to AIFF.

India qualified for Round 2 by defeating the Kyrgyz Republic twice earlier this year. The Blue Tigresses beat the Kyrgyz Republic in a two-legged playoff 5-0 and 4-0. India also played Uzbekistan in a one-off friendly during the qualification rounds, losing 3-2 to an injury-time goal.

The Blue Tigresses have suffered narrow one-goal losses in their three previous matches against Uzbekistan. India last faced Vietnam in a friendly match in Hanoi in 2019, and the tie ended in a 1-1 draw. The last meeting with Japan took place in the 1997 Asian Women’s Championship, with India going down 1-0.

The AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Round 2 matches will be played between October 23 and November 1 this year. India will play their Group C games in Uzbekistan.

Four teams, the three group winners and the best-ranked runners-up, will progress to Round 3 to play two pairs of home and away matches, slated for February 24 and 28, 2024. The winners will take the two spots reserved for Asia in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Paris in 2024.

India placed with Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria in AFC Asian Cup

May 12, 2023, 4:21 pm

The Indian football team has been placed alongside Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup final draw, which was held in Qatar on Thursday. The tournament, which will take place in Qatar, will commence on 12 January, 2024, with the final set to take place on 10 February.

The AFC Asian Cup 2023 final draw consisted of 24 nations, which were divided into six groups of four teams each, with India placed in Pot 4. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-place teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals of the continental tournament.

“There’s still some time left until the competition itself, and I would say that it is very important how well we use that time to prepare rather than concentrate on who our opponents will be. I truly believe in our team and the work that they put in, and with the support of the huge Indian fan base in Qatar, we can achieve our goals,” Indian football team head coach Igor Stima said.

The Blue Tigers, ranked 101 in the FIFA rankings, have qualified for two successive editions of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in history. Igor Stimac’s side qualified for the 2023 edition by finishing top of their group in the third round of qualifiers, which also comprised Hong Kong, Afghanistan, and Cambodia.

This will be India’s fifth appearance at the AFC Asian Cup, with the Blue Tigers having featured at the tournament during the 1964, 1984, 2011, and 2019 editions. They finished runners-up in 1964 but have not progressed beyond the group stage in the three editions later on.

Azur Air flight makes emergency landing in Uzbekistan

January 21, 2023, 5:54 pm

An Azur Air chartered flight from Russia’s Perm International Airport to Goa received a security threat on Saturday after which the flight made an emergency landing in Uzbekistan with 232 passengers.

“According to available information, the plane made an emergency landing in Uzbekistan after a report of an alleged bomb scare. The aircraft is being inspected, and the airline is preparing accommodations for the passengers in hotels,” the Russian embassy tweeted.

Earlier in the day Azur Air chartered flight received a security threat. After the security threat, the flight was diverted to Uzbekistan. A total of 238 passengers, including 2 infants, and 7 crew members are onboard.

“It was diverted after an email was received at 12.30 am by the Dabolim airport director that mentioned about a bomb being planted on the plane,” the official said.

According to the airport sources, “An Azur Air chartered flight from Russia’s Perm International Airport to Goa received a security threat. Following this, the flight was diverted to Uzbekistan. A total of 238 passengers, including 2 infants, and 7 crew are onboard.”

Earlier on 10 January, a bomb threat was received to Moscow-Goa chartered flight that had been diverted to Jamnagar, Gujarat.

However, more details are awaited.

Azur Air flight receives security threat; diverted to Uzbekistan

January 21, 2023, 12:46 pm

An Azur Air chartered flight from Russia’s Perm International Airport to Goa received a security threat on Saturday.

“It was diverted after an email was received at 12.30 am by the Dabolim airport director that mentioned about a bomb being planted on the plane,” the official said.

After the security threat, the flight was diverted to Uzbekistan. A total of 238 passengers, including 2 infants, and 7 crew members are onboard.

Earlier on 10 January, a bomb threat was received to Moscow-Goa chartered flight that had been diverted to Jamnagar, Gujarat.

“We are not ruling out any possibilities. The airport authority of India is screening the nationality of the passengers who were onboard the Moscow-Goa flight,” Ashok Yadav said.

However, more details are awaited.

India in regular contact with Uzbekistan drug regulator

December 29, 2022, 4:18 pm

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday said India is in regular contact with the Uzbekistan drug regulator regarding reports of Noida-based cough syrups allegedly linked to the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, cough syrup Dok1 Max made by Indian company Marion Biotech, Noida, Uttar Pradesh Uzbekistan is concerning contaminated said, “Under directions of the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has been in regular contact with the national drug regulator of Uzbekistan regarding the matter since December 27, 2022.”

Meanwhile, after getting the information a joint inspection was carried out by UP Drug Control and the CDSCO team at the NOIDA facility of the manufacturer, Marion Biotech.

Moreover, the cough syrup company Marion Biotech is a licensed manufacturer and makes Dok1 Max syrup and Tablets for export purposes granted by Drugs Controller, Uttar Pradesh.

However, from the manufacturing premises, the cough syrup has been sent to the Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL), Chandigarh for testing.

Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan invites the “Dhoad” band from Rajasthan ahead of Diwali

October 18, 2022, 1:29 pm

Prior to the Diwali festival for the Indian diaspora, the renowned Dhoad Band of Rahis Bharti from Rajasthan has been invited by the Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan to perform in several locations, including the capital Tashkent.

Rahis Bharti is a renowned musician and artistic director from Rajasthan who is spreading Rajasthani culture all over the world to promote India. Along with assisting hundreds of Rajasthani folk musicians and dancers, he is a saviour of folk music and dance.

“It has been my effort to highlight the culture of different states of India on the occasion of Indian festivals which are celebrated in Uzbekistan by the members of the Indian diaspora. This year, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, we are very happy to present the internationally acclaimed Dhoad group from Rajasthan, led by versatile artist Rahis Bharti, who has presented hundreds of programmes of Dhoad in Europe and America,” Manish Prabhat, Indian ambassador to Uzbekistan said.

The Dhoad band has also been asked to join the Indian community in Uzbekistan in celebrating Diwali. The cultural events are being planned as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava, a government-sponsored campaign to honour and remember India’s 75th anniversary of independence as well as the illustrious past of its people, culture, and accomplishments.

“I hope every Indian and our Uzbek friends would love to see Dhoad concerts being held this time in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and other cities. Happy Diwali to all!,” Manish Prabhat, Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan said.
Bharti said, “It will be the first time the Rajasthani group will be touring and performing in Bukhara, Samarqand, and Tashkent. The Dhoad group will be spreading Rajasthani folk music and culture in these cities of Uzbekistan.”

On October 20, the Medical Institute of Bukhara will host a Dhoad Band performance. On October 21, the Medical Institute of Samarkand will host a Dhoad Band performance. On October 22, the Intercontinental hotel in Tashkent will host a Dhoad Band performance. On October 23, the Indian community in Uzbekistan will celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, by performing Rajasthani folk music.

The Dhoad Band, from Rajasthan, contributes towards creating friendly links between India and other nations. He is preserving folk music and dances that are in danger of going extinct and giving opportunities to hundreds of Rajasthani folk artists so they can continue to perform and create folk music and dance.

“Rajasthani folk music is worldwide and has empowered nearly 700 local artists in the last 22 years by providing an international platform. Bharti has performed in more than 1500 concerts and shows in over 110 countries,” Rahis Bharti said.

Dhoad will perform in 110 countries and spread Indian folk music. The Rahis Bharti with Dhoad are the only band from Rajasthan that has been spreading Rajasthani music and dance for 22 years.

AHTU of the Delhi Police bust prostitution racket, 5 arrested

July 23, 2022, 5:33 pm

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Delhi police busted a prostitution racket involving foreign women on Saturday.

“The team got information through an anonymous tip that a sex racket was going on in Malviya Nagar. The police then contacted this gang and sent a policeman as a decoy customer,” said DCP Vichitra Veer, Delhi Police Crime Branch.

According to the Delhi police statement, as many as five accused were arrested and ten women were rescued.

“The policeman saw the girls inside and signaled his team present outside, with then started the raid and arrested the five accused who were running the racket,” DCP added.

Moreover, 10 to 25 thousand rupees were been charged from the customers. One of the accused has been identified as Sher Ali who is a resident of Uzbekistan. He used to send the girls to India with the pretext of getting them a job and then they were forced into sex rackets.

However, further investigation into this matter is underway.