India, Uzbekistan explore strategic energy ties with focus on coal gasification, clean technologies

The Indian delegation held extensive discussions in Tashkent with Yusupov Rustam Payzraxmanovich, Deputy Minister for Geology and Mining, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Department of Investments of Uzbekistan.

The talks centered on knowledge exchange, technological cooperation, and sustainable practices in the energy and mineral sectors, highlighting a shared vision for innovation-driven energy transition.

India’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Ms Smita Pant, participated in the meetings, lending diplomatic heft to the engagement and underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening energy ties with Central Asian nations.

A key highlight of the visit was a field tour to Angren, where the delegation observed coal mining operations and visited a modern coal gasification facility. The site visit offered valuable insight into Uzbekistan’s approach to cleaner coal technologies, particularly coal-to-gas conversion—an area India is actively developing as part of its clean energy roadmap.

Coal gasification, which converts coal into syngas for use in power, fertilizers, and chemicals, is central to India's strategy to reduce emissions while maintaining energy security. The delegation’s exposure to Uzbekistan’s technologies and environmental safeguards is expected to inform India’s efforts to scale up similar projects domestically.

The Tashkent visit also paved the way for future joint initiatives, including research collaborations, investment facilitation, and potential pilot projects.

Both sides recognized the untapped potential for synergy, with Uzbekistan’s vast resource base and India’s growing technological and industrial expertise offering a strong foundation for long-term cooperation.

The mission reflects India's evolving energy diplomacy and its intention to position itself as a global player in sustainable coal technologies.

As the world shifts toward cleaner energy solutions, the India-Uzbekistan dialogue marks a forward-looking step in co-developing strategies that balance growth with environmental responsibility.

The visit is likely to catalyze strategic engagement between the two countries, potentially leading to formal agreements and collaborative ventures in the near future.

Energy cooperation between India and Uzbekistan continued to deepen, with both nations viewing each other as key strategic partners in the pursuit of long-term energy security and technological collaboration.

A landmark agreement signed in 2019 laid the foundation for Uzbekistan to supply 1,100 metric tonnes of natural uranium ore concentrate to India, supporting its atomic energy program during the 2022–2026 period.

The importance of this partnership was further highlighted during the India-Uzbekistan virtual summit held on December 11, 2020, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reiterated their commitment to advancing bilateral ties, especially in civil nuclear energy.

The two leaders endorsed deeper collaboration in nuclear technology and safety, aligning with their shared vision of peaceful uses of atomic energy.

In a notable outcome of this cooperation, India’s Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s Agency for the Development of Nuclear Energy.

This partnership aims to enhance technical capacity, share best practices, and promote innovation in civil nuclear applications, particularly in safety, training, and non-power uses of nuclear energy.

Beyond nuclear energy, the two countries have also forged significant partnerships in the hydrocarbon and mineral sectors. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Uzbekistan’s state-run oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz.

The agreement outlines joint efforts in the exploration, production, and development of oil and gas resources, strengthening India’s upstream energy access and Uzbekistan’s outreach to global markets.

Additionally, another MoU between GAIL (India) Limited and Uzbekneftegaz further solidified energy cooperation, particularly in the natural gas segment, including potential collaborations in gas processing, LNG supply, and infrastructure development.

In the mining and minerals sector, a separate MoU was concluded between India’s Ministry of Coal and Mines and Uzbekistan’s State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources. This partnership focuses on joint exploration, research, and the exchange of best practices in geology and mining technologies.

These comprehensive agreements reflect the growing breadth and depth of the India-Uzbekistan strategic energy partnership.

As both nations strive to diversify their energy portfolios and advance technological self-reliance, the ongoing cooperation across civil nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, and mineral resources marks a significant step toward a sustainable and mutually beneficial energy future.