India and Central Asia’s biggest military power Uzbekistan on Monday signed a slew of 17 pacts across all possible sectors including defence training besides agreeing for joint partnership in defence industry as Delhi looks to fully realise its strategic partnerships in the region where China has made inroads taking advantage of its geographical contiguity.

While a Memorandum between the two defence ministries were concluded on cooperation in the field of military education, the two sides agreed to work closely together to expand and strengthen defence cooperation as well as defence industry cooperation. In this context, both sides agreed to hold joint military training exercise in the area of counter terrorism, cooperate in the field of military education and military medicine, setting up of Joint Working Group to support and sustain enhanced mutually beneficial defence related activities and setting up of Defence Wing at the Embassy of Uzbekistan here.

Delhi and Tashkent also agreed to promote peaceful use of nuclear energy and outer space as India eyes uranium supply from Uzbekistan. The two sides with high stakes in Uzbekistan also agreed to have regular dialogue in stabilising the landlocked country.

These arrangements were put in place after visiting Uzbek President met Shavkat Mirziyoyev met PM Narendra Modi. India laid down a red carpet for the two-day visit of the Uzbek President setting tone for further engagements with the Eurasian region -- Indo-Russian annual summit here on Friday followed the President’s state visit to Tajikistan and Foreign Minister’s visit also to Tajikistan for SCO Heads of Govt meet. ““We took a long term view on the regional issues of security, peace and prosperity and cooperation,” Modi said at joint press meet with Uzbek President.

Noting the importance of a safe and secure regional environment for development and prosperity, Delhi and Tashkent also agreed to cooperate in addressing threats and challenges to national as well as regional security. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries, including under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

Uzbekistan may offer its territory to set up an Indian defence manufacturing unit. The extensive use of Russian origin equipment by both India and Uzbekistan is contributing to the growing bilateral defence relations. Uzbekistan has the best-equipped armed forces in Central Asia and during the post-Soviet era it has maintained the largest military force in the region.

India and Uzbekistan set an annual bilateral trade target of $1 billion to be achieved within two years and the 17 pacts included several investment and trade related initiatives.