Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Visits Uzbekistan
Meeting with Bukhara Governor Botir Zaripov
New Delhi [India], September 28: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on a five-day visit to Uzbekistan, met with Bukhara city Governor Botir Zaripov. She emphasized the importance of strong tourism and people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan.
Focus on Youth and Start-ups
Sitharaman highlighted that India has much to offer to Uzbekistan, especially to its young population. She suggested that Indian start-ups could provide development solutions through bilateral collaboration.
Educational Partnerships
The Finance Minister mentioned the close collaboration between the Indian Embassy in Tashkent and Bukhara State University. She also noted the establishment of Acharya University in Bukhara in 2023 and the setting up of an India Corner at Bukhara State University. Several students and faculty members from the university visit India under the ITEC training program of the Government of India.
Strengthening Ties
Botir Zaripov thanked Sitharaman for her visit, stating that it would further strengthen ties between the two countries. He appreciated the proposed collaborations in various fields such as pharma, IT, EV, and healthcare. Zaripov expressed hope to host business delegations from India in the future.
AIIB Meeting and Bilateral Investment Treaty
Sitharaman’s visit from September 24 to 28 includes attending the 9th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and signing a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan. The BIT, signed on Friday, ensures appropriate protection for investors from both countries.
Doubts Revealed
Finance Minister -: The Finance Minister is a person in the government who is responsible for managing the country’s money and economy. In India, this person is Nirmala Sitharaman.
Uzbekistan -: Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia. It is far from India and has its own culture and traditions.
Bukhara Governor -: A governor is like the head of a state or region. Botir Zaripov is the governor of Bukhara, which is a city in Uzbekistan.
Tourism -: Tourism means traveling to different places for fun, learning, or relaxation. It helps people understand different cultures and also helps the economy.
Start-ups -: Start-ups are new businesses that are just beginning. They often have new ideas and can help solve problems in new ways.
Acharya University -: Acharya University is a new educational institution that will be set up in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It will help students learn and get good education.
AIIB meeting -: AIIB stands for Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. It is a bank that helps countries in Asia build things like roads and schools. The meeting is where people discuss how to use the bank’s money.
Bilateral Investment Treaty -: A Bilateral Investment Treaty is an agreement between two countries to protect people who invest money in each other’s countries. It makes sure their money is safe.