The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) recently hosted consecutive high-level roundtable discussions with the non-resident ambassadors of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, underscoring Nepal’s efforts to diversify its economic diplomacy.

 The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral trade ties and exploring opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, highlighting growing interest in engagement with Central Asia.

The back-to-back meetings with H.E. Sardor Mirzayusupovich Rustambaev of Uzbekistan and H.E. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda of Tajikistan brought together a diverse group of Nepalese policymakers, business leaders, and energy experts, highlighting the country’s growing interest in the Central Asian region.

At the roundtable ‘Nepal-Uzbekistan: Strengthening Trade and Investment Ties,’ Ambassador Rustambaev highlighted Uzbekistan’s economic rise, reporting a GDP of nearly $115 billion in 2024 and a doubling of foreign trade to $65 billion.

"Uzbekistan has undergone comprehensive reforms to create an open, transparent economy," Ambassador Rustambaev told the gathering, positioning his country as a gateway to a regional market of 300 million consumers.

At the roundtable ‘Nepal-Tajikistan: Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Focus on Energy,’ H.E. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda highlighted the two nations’ shared potential to become the ‘energy batteries’ of South and Central Asia.

Ambassador Bobokalonzoda urged deeper technical cooperation on high-altitude infrastructure and grid management, and called for direct air links to enhance tourism and business ties between Kathmandu and Dushanbe.

Both roundtables emphasized the need for Nepal to shift from a ‘landlocked’ to a ‘land-linked’ economy, urging that diplomatic goodwill be converted into tangible economic partnerships. By organizing the dialogues, AIDIA aims to guide entrepreneurs and policymakers in tapping these often-overlooked markets, expanding Nepal’s connectivity beyond its immediate neighbors.