The authors, Azizjon Ziyodullaev, Sajina Rai, Ogabek Norkulov, and Islomkhon Gafarov, in their policy brief published by the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA, Nepal), argue that Nepal and Uzbekistan, despite their shared status as landlocked nations, have yet to fully capitalize on the opportunities for economic and diplomatic collaboration. They state that while historical and cultural ties between the two countries trace back to the Silk Road era, modern bilateral engagement remains minimal due to logistical constraints, lack of direct transit routes, and the absence of institutional frameworks for sustained cooperation. The brief highlights the strategic importance of both nations in the evolving connectivity landscape of Central and South Asia, underlining the potential benefits of enhanced trade, investment, and multilateral engagement.
Authors state that both countries face common economic and infrastructural challenges, such as high transportation costs and dependency on neighboring countries for market access. They highlight that Uzbekistan’s integration into large-scale connectivity projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, could offer Nepal alternative trade routes beyond its traditional reliance on India. Conversely, Nepal’s expertise in hydropower development and eco-tourism is identified as a sector where Uzbekistan could benefit through knowledge exchange and joint ventures. Furthermore, the brief underscores the importance of multilateral cooperation, particularly through platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the United Nations, to advocate for the interests of landlocked developing countries.
Moreover, the policy brief asserts that despite existing diplomatic ties since 2018, Nepal and Uzbekistan lack direct diplomatic missions, a crucial hindrance to fostering sustained political and economic engagement. The authors argue that formalizing institutional mechanisms, such as regular high-level dialogues, Track II diplomacy, and trade facilitation agreements, could pave the way for enhanced bilateral relations. Additionally, the brief recommends easing visa restrictions, strengthening educational and cultural exchanges, and establishing sectoral working groups to address shared concerns, particularly in trade, climate change adaptation, and labor migration. The authors conclude that a structured partnership between Nepal and Uzbekistan could significantly contribute to regional stability and economic integration, provided that both nations take proactive steps to overcome current limitations.
Read and download the policy brief
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
