Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Uzbekistan’s highest state honour. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented the prestigious award to Modi at a ceremony during the Prime Minister’s visit to Uzbekistan. On Sunday, President Mirziyoyev honoured PM Modi with Uzbekistan’s highest state award, the ‘Oliy Darajali Dostlik’ order. The Uzbek phrase means “high-level friendship.” The honour is the 36th international award received by Prime Minister Modi. Accepting the award, PM Modi said he felt honoured to receive the ‘Oliy Darajali Dostlik’ order. He said he dedicated the recognition to the enduring relationship between India and Uzbekistan. Earlier on Sunday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the supply of uranium between India and Uzbekistan, with strong indications emerging on the issue. The two leaders also held discussions on bilateral economic cooperation, technology, energy and trade, while stressing the need to further strengthen their strategic partnership. During the talks, an announcement was made to move forward in the direction of giving India-Uzbekistan relations the status of a comprehensive strategic partnership. PM Modi said the two countries would establish a coordination council at the foreign minister level to provide direction to all aspects of mutual cooperation. He also said the existing Joint Commission would be elevated from the secretary level to the ministerial level. The Prime Minister further said that both sides would jointly organise a business summit involving business leaders from India and Uzbekistan. He also announced plans to establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium. Referring to cooperation between cities and states, Modi said that three sister-city and sister-state arrangements were being made. He stressed the need for a roadmap to fully realise their potential. The Prime Minister also highlighted major urban development projects in both countries. Referring to Uzbekistan’s ‘New Tashkent’ mega-project, he said India has developed GIFT City in Gujarat. Modi added that India would be pleased to welcome a delegation from Uzbekistan to study the use of technology. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev praised India’s progress under PM Modi’s leadership. He said that India was advancing across all sectors and added that, as a close friend of India, Uzbekistan was very pleased to see these achievements.