In a world where terrorism’s shadow stretches across continents, India and Uzbekistan have once again joined hands to confront the persistent threats posed by violent extremism. On September 30 and October 1, 2025, officials from both nations gathered in Tashkent for the ninth meeting of their Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation and coordinate strategies in the ongoing global fight against terrorism.
The atmosphere in Tashkent was one of resolve and urgency. The meeting, co-chaired by Dr. Vinod J Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Gulomjon Pirimkulov, Head of Department for Cooperation with South Asia, Middle East and Africa at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together senior officials and experts from both sides. Their agenda? To take stock of the ever-evolving threat landscape and bolster the already dynamic partnership between the two countries.
According to The Tribune, the discussions were wide-ranging, covering not only traditional terrorist threats but also the emerging challenges that have surfaced in recent years. Both delegations reviewed the global and regional threat environment, delving into issues like radicalization, extremist propaganda, terror financing, and the increasingly sophisticated use of technology by terrorist groups. The nexus between organized crime and terrorism — a topic that has gained prominence as criminal networks and extremist groups find common cause — was also front and center.
One event in particular cast a somber shadow over the proceedings: the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. Both India and Uzbekistan condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms. As a Ministry of External Affairs official told IANS, “The delegations strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which innocent civilians were killed.” The tragedy underscored the human cost of terrorism and the urgent need for robust, coordinated countermeasures.
But the meeting was not just about condemnation. It was about action. Both sides deliberated on practical steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Information sharing, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices were high on the list. As the Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan posted on X (formerly Twitter), “9th meeting of Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism between India and Uzbekistan was held today in Tashkent. Both sides discussed cooperation in countering terrorism and radicalization.”
According to ANI, officials explored ways to expand their partnership through concrete initiatives. These included sharing intelligence about terrorist groups and their movements, developing joint training programs for law enforcement and security personnel, and collaborating on research to better understand the drivers of radicalization. The goal, both sides agreed, is to stay one step ahead of the terrorists and adapt to new tactics as they emerge.
Of course, the battle against terrorism is not fought in isolation. India and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to working together in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS), and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG). These platforms provide crucial opportunities for countries to coordinate policies, share intelligence, and mount joint operations against transnational threats.
The roots of this partnership run deep. India was one of the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, and diplomatic ties were formally established in Tashkent in 1992. Over the decades, the relationship has blossomed into a strategic partnership, with regular high-level exchanges and a series of institutionalized dialogue mechanisms. In August 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, China. As PM Modi noted, “India and Uzbekistan are bound by a dynamic partnership that continues to expand across culture, economy and people-to-people ties.”
Against this backdrop, the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism has become a key pillar of bilateral cooperation. The group convenes regularly — the previous (eighth) meeting was held in Delhi on July 16, 2019 — to review threats, assess progress, and chart new directions. At each session, officials take stock of the challenges posed by terrorist groups worldwide and in their respective regions, including the ever-present danger of cross-border terrorism.
This year’s meeting was no exception. Both sides exchanged candid assessments of the current threat environment and brainstormed innovative solutions. They discussed how extremist groups are exploiting new technologies, from encrypted messaging apps to cryptocurrency, to evade detection and finance their operations. The linkages between transnational organized crime and terrorism — whether through smuggling, arms trafficking, or cybercrime — were also scrutinized.
Capacity building emerged as a recurring theme. How can both countries ensure that their security forces are equipped with the latest tools and training? What lessons can be learned from each other’s successes and setbacks? And perhaps most importantly, how can they prevent the spread of radical ideologies that fuel violence in the first place? These questions, though daunting, are at the heart of the Joint Working Group’s mission.
Looking ahead, both India and Uzbekistan agreed that their cooperation must remain agile and forward-looking. The next session of the Joint Working Group will be hosted by India at a mutually convenient date — a sign that the dialogue is far from over. As the world grapples with new and complex security threats, the need for international partnerships like this one has never been greater.
In the end, the ninth meeting in Tashkent was more than just a diplomatic ritual. It was a clear signal that, despite the odds, countries can come together to confront common challenges. Through frank dialogue, shared expertise, and unwavering resolve, India and Uzbekistan are working to ensure that the forces of extremism and terror will not prevail.
