In an effort to fortify military relations with the Central Asian states, Army Chief General Manoj Pande is undertaking a four-day journey to Uzbekistan from April 15th to 18th, 2024. He initiated the opening of an advanced IT Laboratory at the Uzbek Academy of Armed Forces.
This progression signifies a pivotal point in the defense collaboration between the two countries, adhering to the accord reached during the Defense Ministers’ summit in September 2018.
It is important to highlight the mutual membership of India and Uzbekistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The proposition to set up an IT Lab was first raised during this high-level meeting and gained traction with 2019 approval, underpinned by funds from the Ministry of External Affairs’ ‘c’ initiative.
Insiders reported that the bids surpassed the anticipated budget of Rs 6.5 Crore, hence, an allocation of Rs 8.5 Crore was granted for the undertaking. An Indian firm secured the contract and rendered the lab operational in a timely manner.
The IT Lab boasts top-tier technology, including nine chambers accommodating two lecture theaters, a cutting-edge Cybersecurity Lab, Hardware Programming Lab, Object-Oriented Programming Lab, Web Programming Lab, Server Room, Multimedia Room, and a Virtual Reality Room.
Supplementary amenities encompass video conferencing units, interactive panels, networking apparatus, and a variety of computing assets like numerous high-performance PCs, workstations, and laptops, plus vital peripherals such as printers, cameras, scanners, and storage devices.
This cooperative venture represents not only a stride in Uzbekistan’s defense academy’s technological progress but also acts as a conduit strengthening the expanding ties between the two nations, paving the way for future joint endeavors in defense and technology.
The inauguration of the IT lab is anticipated to augment the training tools accessible to Uzbek armed forces and nurture a richer comprehension and collaboration between India and Uzbekistan in the years to follow.
The most significant aspect of General Pande’s sojourn will be the commencement of Ex Dustlik (April 15-28), which began on Monday and is held in Termez, Uzbekistan.
On Thursday, the Army Chief himself will attend the Termez base to inspect the collaborative exercises of both nations.
This marks the fifth iteration of the annual Ex Dustlik maneuvers between the two states. The exercise alternates yearly between India and Uzbekistan.
The Central Asian region, perceived by many as Russia’s sphere of influence despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, has been confronting fresh challenges in recent years.
Moreover, Central Asia forms a bridge between Asia and Europe and is endowed with abundant natural resources.
Over the past several years, particularly following India’s 2012 Connect Central Asia (CAA) strategy, the engagement between India and Central Asia has been on the ascent.