India and Uzbekistan have signed a long-term uranium agreement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced after meeting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Sunday. The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation beyond existing areas, including nuclear fuel and urban development.

The sides stressed the need to prepare an action plan for implementing three sister-city and sister-state agreements. Modi proposed using the experience of Gujarat’s GIFT City in the construction of Uzbekistan’s planned new city, New Tashkent. Cooperation between the countries already covers trade, investment, education, pharmaceuticals, information technology and culture.

Mirziyoyev said bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion for the first time last year. He also said direct flights between the two countries have increased to 14 per week. The Uzbek president further indicated an initiative to allow Indian citizens visa-free travel for up to 30 days, adding another proposed measure to strengthen people-to-people links.