Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich has arrived in India on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. The visit, scheduled from August 2 to August 5, will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, connectivity, investment, technology and regional security under India's Connect Central Asia policy.

The high-level visit comes as New Delhi and Tashkent seek to deepen economic and strategic engagement across multiple sectors.

High-Level Meetings Scheduled

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visiting foreign minister reached New Delhi on Sunday.

During the visit, he will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hold delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House.

The discussions are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and identify new areas for collaboration.

Trade and Investment in Focus

A key highlight of the visit will be participation in a business forum in New Delhi, where the Uzbek foreign minister will interact with Indian industry leaders.

The forum is expected to promote greater investment and private-sector partnerships in sectors including:

• Pharmaceuticals

• Information Technology

• Manufacturing

• Emerging technologies

Both countries are looking to expand economic cooperation by encouraging greater business-to-business engagement.

Connectivity to Top Agenda

Improving connectivity between India and Central Asia is expected to be a major focus of the bilateral discussions.

The two sides are likely to explore ways to enhance regional trade through strategic connectivity projects such as:

• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

• Chabahar Port in Iran

Strengthening these transport links is expected to improve access between India and Central Asian markets while boosting regional trade.

Strategic Cooperation

Apart from economic ties, India and Uzbekistan are expected to discuss cooperation in several strategic sectors, including:

• Critical minerals

• Digital public infrastructure

• Defence collaboration

• Counter-terrorism

• Regional security

The discussions reflect growing strategic convergence between the two countries amid evolving geopolitical and economic developments in the region.

Growing Bilateral Engagement

The visit follows a series of high-level interactions between New Delhi and Tashkent over the past year.

The two foreign ministers have already met on the sidelines of several international forums earlier in 2026, underlining the growing momentum in bilateral relations.

The latest visit is expected to further strengthen cooperation under India's broader engagement with Central Asia.

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a six-lane Greenfield Elevated Corridor along the Ganga River in Varanasi, a major infrastructure project aimed at reducing urban congestion, improving regional connectivity and strengthening multimodal transport links in one of India's busiest pilgrimage and cultural cities.

The project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be developed under the National Highways (Original) [NH(O)] programme using the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The total capital investment for the project has been pegged at ₹14,447.64 crore.

The proposed 46.039-kilometre corridor will connect National Highway-19 with the Varanasi Ring Road, providing a high-speed, access-controlled route along the Ganga riverfront. The project will feature a six-lane elevated main carriageway, ramps, loops, service roads, a landmark cable-stayed bridge, and an extradosed foot-over bridge equipped with travelators.

Designed to Cut Travel Time

According to the government, the corridor has been designed for operating speeds of 80–100 kmph, significantly reducing travel time across the city.

The average travel duration on the affected stretch is expected to decline from nearly 60 minutes to around 20 minutes, representing a reduction of about 67 percent. Travel between NH-19 and Kashi Railway Station is also expected to become considerably faster, with journey time falling from nearly 50 minutes to 25 minutes.

Officials said the project will help divert through traffic away from congested urban roads, improving daily commuting conditions while reducing vehicle operating costs, fuel consumption and emissions.

Boost to Pilgrimage and Tourism

Varanasi attracts more than 15 million tourists and pilgrims annually, making efficient transport infrastructure increasingly important for the city's economy and visitor experience.

The elevated corridor will improve access to several prominent religious, educational and cultural destinations, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Namo Ghat, Ramnagar Fort, and the historic ghats along the Ganga.

The project also includes an elevated spur between BHU/Lanka and Samne Ghat, intended to ease congestion at the busy Lanka intersection, one of the city's major traffic bottlenecks.

Strengthening Multimodal Connectivity

The government said the corridor aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, enhancing seamless connectivity between highways, railway stations, airports and inland waterways.

The project will provide improved access to major transport hubs including Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Kashi Railway Station, Banaras Railway Station, Varanasi City Railway Station, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, and the Ramnagar Inland Waterways Port.

It will also strengthen connectivity to the Chandauli Special Economic Zone (SEZ), an aspirational district, and multiple logistics centres, supporting freight movement and regional economic development across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Advanced Engineering Features

The corridor incorporates several high-end engineering components intended to improve both functionality and urban aesthetics.

Among its key features is a 910-metre cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga River and a 1.32-kilometre foot-over bridge-cum-major bridge fitted with travelators to facilitate pedestrian access towards the Kashi Vishwanath Temple area.

The project also includes a rail overbridge over the existing and proposed Malviya Bridge alignment, emergency parking facilities, sound barriers, architectural lighting, and design elements inspired by Varanasi's cultural heritage.

The government said these features are expected to transform the city's skyline while improving transport efficiency and reinforcing Varanasi's position as a major religious and cultural destination.

Supporting Long-Term Urban Growth

Officials believe the project will play a significant role in easing traffic congestion, improving road safety and facilitating smoother passenger and freight movement. By integrating multiple transport modes and supporting tourism, pilgrimage and commerce, the corridor is expected to contribute to sustainable urban development in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The approval marks another major investment in Varanasi's transport infrastructure as the city continues to witness rapid expansion in road, rail and public infrastructure projects under the government's broader connectivity agenda.

Rewa-Mumbai Superfast Train Flagged Off; Direct Connectivity to Aid Patients and Students

The launch of the Rewa-Mumbai-Rewa Superfast weekly service fulfills a long-standing demand of the Vindhya region, eliminating the need for passengers to change trains at Jabalpur or Itarasi.

Direct rail link established

Rewa Railway Station witnessed a landmark moment as the Rewa-Mumbai-Rewa Superfast Weekly Special Train (Train No. 20153/54) was officially flagged off for regular operations. The inaugural ceremony, led by the local Member of Parliament, marks the culmination of years of advocacy by residents for a direct link to India’s financial capital.

Landmark win for Vindhya

The introduction of this service has sparked widespread enthusiasm across the region. Speaking at the event, MP Janardan Mishra expressed his gratitude toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for prioritizing this corridor. He noted that the direct service is not merely a transport link but a lifeline for the socio-economic upliftment of Rewa and neighboring districts.

Medical travel made easier

One of the most significant impacts of the Rewa-Mumbai Superfast Train is expected to be in the healthcare sector. Mumbai serves as a premier medical hub for the country, and residents of the Vindhya region frequently travel there for advanced treatments. "Patients can now reach specialized hospitals without the physical strain of switching trains, saving both critical time and resources," officials noted during the launch.

Opportunities for local youth

Beyond healthcare, the train is set to open new doors for the younger demographic. As Mumbai remains a core destination for higher education and diverse job markets, the direct connectivity will facilitate smoother transit for students and job seekers. The Member of Parliament emphasized that this ease of movement would allow local talent to compete more effectively on a national stage.

Boosting trade and tourism

The business community has welcomed the move, anticipating a surge in commercial activity. By linking the local markets of Madhya Pradesh directly to Mumbai’s massive consumer base, the rail service is expected to provide a platform for local products. Furthermore, it is likely to attract more tourists to the scenic and historical sites of the Vindhya region, boosting the local hospitality sector.

Weekly schedule and route

According to the latest India News Update, the superfast service will operate once a week, covering a distance of approximately 1,235 kilometers in about 20 hours. The train departs Rewa at 3:50 PM, arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) at 12:20 PM the following day. On its return leg, it leaves Mumbai at 1:30 PM and reaches Rewa at 9:45 AM.

Key stops and impact

The train will navigate through vital junctions including Satna, Maihar, Katni, Jabalpur, Itarsi, Khandwa, Bhusawal, Nashik, and Kalyan. This strategic routing ensures that multiple industrial and pilgrimage hubs are interconnected. As per this English News Portal India report, the new service is being viewed as a milestone in the regional development of Madhya Pradesh, strengthening the national transport grid.

Future infrastructure outlook

This launch is part of a broader series of Government Updates aimed at enhancing rail infrastructure in non-metropolitan zones. With the Rewa-Mumbai Superfast Train now operational, residents are hopeful for increased frequencies and further expansion of the Rewa terminal.