Uzbekistan: A Beacon of Light in a Fractured World
Located in the heart of Central Asia Uzbekistan is the region’s most populous country with a population of 35.3 million, and most powerful one in military terms. It is also the country which has been forging the most strategically autonomous path in the region
By Aditi Bhaduri
On 1st September Uzbekistan celebrated its National Day. It should be a day of celebration for the entire international community. For in a tired, fractured, and wonded world Uzbekistan stands out as one of the beacons of hope. And this is no mean feat for a state that is only 34 years old! But, of course it may be because Uzbekistan’s soul is ancient and wise.
My fascination with the country began when I was still in school and read “A Passage to India” by the renowned writer E.M. Foster. As we followed the antics and dreams of Dr. Aziz, its main protagonist, we saw him yearning for the lost medieval glory of places like Samarkand and Bukhara. These were foreign names but they immediately evoked scenes of some magical land, weav8ng a tapestry of some fairytale like world, long lost but forever coveted. I vowed to myself some day I would visit these places.
It is said miracles happen, when we really wish for something with a sincere heart. And years later I did find myself in these magical places. And to my delight I found that while these places truly seemed like a fairytale, they still existed, living breathing and weaving newer tales but in a modern reality now. Which adds to the magic that is Uzbekistan today.
Charting an autonomous course
Located in the heart of Central Asia Uzbekistan is the region’s most populous country with a population of 35.3 million, and most powerful one in military terms. It is also the country which has been forging the most strategically autonomous path in the region, not belonging to anymilitary bloc or economic union, but maintaining strong, steady relations with Russia, China, the USA, European Union, Turkey, Iran, and of course India.
Under the dynamic leadership of its current President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took charge in 2016 on the death of the countrys first President Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan has undertaken a slew of large-scale reforms based on his New Uzbekistan policy meant to spur investments and trade, tourism, invigorate the education system, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, develop civil society, promote transparency and the rule of law, foster local governance, gender equality, secularism, respect for human rights, and ensure the slow but sure democratization of Uzbek polity and society. Since Uzbekistan is a double landlocked country, the political leadership has doubled down on overcoming this tyranny of geography by actively pursuing and participating in connectivity projects and consistently improving the environment for trade and investment.
All of this has paid off. Today the Uzbek economy is one of the second fastest growin in the CIS, the countrys GDP in 2022 was 80.39 billion US dollars in 2022, according to official data from the World Bank. Uzbekistan boasts a 97 % literacy rate. Over the past six years, the number of universities in Uzbekistan has increased from 77 to 210, enrollment has increased 5 times, the number of students has increased by 1 million, and enrollment in higher education has increased from 9% to 38%. The number of government grants has also doubled to 40,000, of which grants for master’s degrees have increased by 5 times. Many Indian Universities like Sharda University, Amity University have opened campuses in Uzbekistan. Due to its fast paced reforms the number of business entities in the country has increased 6 times over the past six years and today has reached 2 million. The number of entrepreneurs whose income exceeded $1 million reached 26 thousand, and the income of 220 entrepreneurs reached $100 million.
Along with all of this Uzbekistan has maintained itself as a tolerant, pluralistic society, maintaining a strong balance between secularism and religious freedom.
New constitution
Last year Uzbekistan adopted a new constitution and will soon hold parliamentary elections. Some of the major changes wrought by the new constitution has been to offer strong social protection and caring for the needy and make Uzbekistan a welfare state, while strengthening the guarantees of human rights and freedoms, promoting education and so on. And people wholeheartedly endorsed these changes, vot8ng 8n President Mirziyoyev for another new term. This is important, as this means continuity in the pace of reforms and Uzbekistan ‘s dynamic development.
All these changes have also been reflected in Uzbekistan’s external relations and its international profile. For instance, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled a new partnership startegy for Uzbekistan to support the country’s transition to a green economy and sustainable development.
On June 4, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution initiated by Uzbekistan on the readiness of the countries of Central Asia to act as a united front and cooperate to effectively resolve and eliminate drug-related problems.
A little earlier, Uzbekistan was elected to the ILO Administrative Council as a deputy member for the first time in its history! It also became an elected member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the period 2025-2027.
All these are just a bird’s eye view of the dynamism that Uzbekistan has demonstrated and the potential it has. This is important for the world we live in. Currently the world is witnessing two major wars with pockets of instability across the globe. In our own region we have the resurgent ISIS-KP terrorist group. The old order is changing but the new world has yet not emerged. The tired old ways of doung things is falling apart.
Dynamic development and growth
In this scenario Uzbekistan is like a shining beacon. It has overcome internal challenges of secessionism and insurgency, religious radicalism and terrorism. It has overcome territorial and border disputes with its own neighbors, understanding that c9nflict is never the solution to any problem. It is invaluable for stabilizing Afghanistan and the region, for the battle against extremism and hate filled ideologies. And it’s enthusiasm and desire for a developed, progressive, and peaceful world shines through in all its actions and policies – whether domestically or on the international stage.
As an Indian, who finds so much in common with Uzbek society, traditions and values, I feel proud that India has found a steady, loyal, beneficial partner and friend in Uzbekistan. May our friendship and collaboration increase! I wish this great country with its glorious heritage all the best on its National Day this year and for years to come. May you continue to shine your light!
