US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur and Uzbekistan FM Bakhtiyor Saidov advance India‑Central Asia trade ties

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur began a week‑long diplomatic tour on August 5, visiting India, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan. The trip aims to deepen strategic partnerships, promote regional stability and expand commercial ties, with meetings scheduled with senior government officials, diplomatic representatives and private‑sector leaders to discuss trade, investment, supply‑chain resilience and broader U.S. policy priorities in South and Central Asia.

Concurrently, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov made a four‑day bilateral visit to India from August 2‑5. He met President Droupadi Murmu, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and other officials, attended the India‑Uzbekistan Business Forum and discussed cooperation in mining, information technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and cultural exchange. The talks highlighted existing people‑to‑people links, scholarship programmes and the potential for expanded economic partnership.

Both visits underscore a coordinated effort by the United States and Uzbekistan to strengthen India’s role as a regional hub and to boost trade and investment across South and Central Asia.