Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) annual meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 25-26. India, the second-largest shareholder of AIIB, will play a key role in the discussions.
As the Indian Governor to the AIIB, Sitharaman will engage in multilateral talks with representatives from over 80 countries. The discussions will focus on sustainable infrastructure development, global economic challenges, and strengthening investments in productive sectors.
In addition to attending the AIIB Board of Governors meeting, Sitharaman is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, and China. These discussions aim to deepen economic cooperation between India and these nations.
A significant highlight of the visit is the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan. This treaty will promote investments, trade, and industry collaboration for long-term mutual benefits.
Sitharaman will also participate in the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum, where industry leaders from both countries will discuss future business collaborations. Additionally, she will meet with the Indian diaspora and visit landmarks like the Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent.
