India and Uzbekistan Pledge to Strengthen Joint Efforts in Fighting Terrorism
Summary
India and Uzbekistan held their 10th Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism meeting in New Delhi on October 22, 2026, reaffirming their shared dedication to enhancing bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation. The high-level discussions were co-chaired by India's Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism) Suhel Ajaz Khan and Uzbekistan's Pirimkulov Gulomjon Shodmonkulovich, with both sides reviewing global and regional terrorist threats including extremism, radicalization, terrorist financing, and the misuse of emerging technologies by terrorist organizations. The two nations agreed to strengthen their cooperative framework through increased information sharing, capacity building initiatives, and the exchange of best practices between relevant security agencies. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral counter-terrorism engagement through platforms such as the United Nations, the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS), and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG). This renewed counter-terrorism dialogue reflects the broader deepening of India-Uzbekistan strategic ties, with both nations increasingly coordinating on regional security across Central and South Asia.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The 10th India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism signals a maturing and institutionalized bilateral security partnership with consistent high-level engagement
- 2. Both nations identified emerging threats including terrorist financing, radicalization, misuse of technology, and links between transnational organized crime and terrorism as priority concerns
- 3. India is strategically leveraging multilateral platforms like SCO-RATS and EAG to expand its counter-terrorism footprint across Central Asia, reinforcing its regional security influence
- 4. Enhanced information sharing and capacity building agreements between the two countries could significantly strengthen intelligence cooperation against cross-border terrorist networks operating in the region
- 5. The growing India-Uzbekistan security partnership serves India's broader strategic interest of building stable relationships across Central Asia, countering extremist threats that could destabilize both South and Central Asian regions