India-Uzbek to combat terrorism; expand trade in oil and gas sector

Tashkent, Apr 26 (UNI) India and Uzbekistan today firmly resolved to jointly combat terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism in South Asia and Central Asia as the two countries signed seven key accords for cooperation in diverse fields, including oil, gas and energy, to add a new dimension to bilateral ties.

''We see Uzbekistan as an important element in any effort to optimally utlise the energy resources of Central Asia. India will also cooperate with Uzbekistan in exploration and development of its vast geological and mineral resources,'' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a press conference with Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov after their talks at 'Durmenn Residence' (Presidential Residence) here.

Describing their 45-minute meeting as ''very useful'', the two leaders said they covered a wide-range of issues, including bilateral cooperation, regional issues and the international situation.

President Karimov said his country was willing to offer to Indian companies the exploration of oil and gas and mineral resources in Uzbekistan on a 50:50 basis.

The Uzbek leader extended his country's ''absolute and resolute'' support to India's candidature for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

''We support India's case for inclusion in the UN Security Council,'' he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan singh after talks between the two leaders.

He said India has a genuine claim for inclusion in the Security Council.

Meanwhile, during an interaction with Indian nationals and prominent Indologists in Uzbekistan, Dr Singh announced his government's decision to assist Indians settled abroad to invest in sectors like insurance and real estate.

The scheme of dual nationality for Indians settled abroad was now operational. The ministries concerned were constantly looking at simplifying procedures in fields like insurance, investment and purchase of property, Dr Singh said ''We have taken several initiatives which have found a positive resonance amongst Indian abroad,'' Dr Singh said.

Dr Manmohan Singh also paid tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadhur Shastri, who died here on January 11, 1966 after concluding the historic Tashkent agreement with the then President of Pakistan Gen Ayub Khan.

Laying a wreath at the Lal Bahadhur Shastri monument here, Dr Singh said ''He was a great son of India and a leader deeply loved and admired for his integrity, sincerity, courage and patriotism.

Serenity of the place where the monument has been built symbolises the serenity we associate with Shastriji.'' He also observed a minute's silence at the monument.

Dr Singh was received by the Mayor of Tashkent who informed him that schools have also been built near the monument where children come for learning Hindi.

Later, Dr Singh attended the state reception hosted in his honour by the Uzbek President.

Eds: Pls pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI AT RL HT1950