Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will begin a five-day official visit to Uzbekistan on Tuesday, accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Finance.

The visit will feature Sitharaman’s participation in the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), taking place in Samarkand on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to the AIIB meeting, the Finance Minister will engage in bilateral talks with officials from Uzbekistan, Qatar, China, and the AIIB President, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance.

Sitharaman will represent India at the AIIB Annual Meeting in her capacity as the Indian Governor of the bank. India holds the position of the second-largest shareholder in the AIIB. Discussions at the meeting will cover a range of global issues that relate to infrastructure development.

The AIIB Annual Meeting brings together delegations from approximately 80 countries, as well as representatives from various international organizations. As a multilateral development bank, AIIB focuses on enhancing infrastructure in Asia, promoting investments, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

During her official visit, Sitharaman is expected to meet Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan. She will also sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan alongside Uzbekistan’s Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade. The BIT seeks to enhance long-term economic cooperation between the two nations.

Additionally, Sitharaman will participate in the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum, which will feature discussions between industry leaders from both countries. The Finance Minister’s itinerary also includes a visit to Samarkand State University, the Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent, and an interaction with members of the Indian diaspora from various sectors.

(ANI)