India–Uzbekistan Strategic Push: Uzbekistan FM Bakhtiyor Saidov met Indian President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi, with both sides spotlighting rare earths, mining, agriculture, pharma and IT as priority areas for deeper cooperation. Trade Targets & Investment Drive: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged India and Uzbekistan to double bilateral trade to about $3B in three years, floated the idea of a free trade agreement, and called for co-investment, co-manufacturing and innovation; Uzbekistan’s Laziz Kudratov invited Indian firms into mining/metallurgy and rare earths, targeting $2B trade next year. Border Demarcation Update: Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan began the practical process to exchange land plots after border demarcation, including registration and relocation steps for two transferred villages (about 2,500 residents), with citizenship procedures expected to follow. Regional Connectivity Watch: Commentary on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway raises concerns about rising costs and financing terms, while Kyrgyz officials say the Kyrgyz section is slightly ahead of schedule and designed to reduce environmental impact. Tax Policy Signal: An Uzbek advisory body proposes cutting income tax for banks and other financial services to 15% from 20%, paired with VAT on certain financial services to offset revenue gaps. Energy & Infrastructure Context: A broader Eurasia rail-investment roundup puts Uzbekistan among major corridors, while separate reporting notes Uzbekistan’s nuclear power plant project timelines (SMR commissioning in 2029; larger reactor in 2033). EU Migration Debate: Italy’s Meloni-backed “Albania model” is set to be pushed at the EU level via proposed migrant repatriation hubs, with a preliminary list reportedly including Uzbekistan among potential host countries. Public Order & Rights: Social media users in Georgia demanded an effective investigation into an attack on an imam in Akhaltsikhe and alleged pressure from security forces.