Uzbekistan

• Location: Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia.
• Capital: Tashkent.
• Neighbouring Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
• Unique Geography: Uzbekistan is one of the world’s doubly landlocked countries—it is surrounded only by other landlocked countries.
• Regional Significance: It is the only Central Asian country sharing borders with all four other Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan—and also borders Afghanistan.
• Major Water-Related Feature: The Aral Sea region is associated with one of the world’s major environmental disasters.
• Major Natural Resources: Uranium, natural gas, gold, coal, copper and other minerals.
• Uranium: Uzbekistan is among the world’s leading uranium producers. Its uranium production was reported at about 7,000 tonnes in 2025.
• Uranium Company: Navoiyuran is Uzbekistan’s state enterprise engaged in uranium mining and production of uranium oxide (U₃O₈).
• Extraction Method: Uzbekistan extensively uses in-situ recovery (ISR) for uranium extraction.
• India Connection: India’s proposed long-term uranium cooperation with Uzbekistan is significant for India’s nuclear-fuel security and diversification of uranium supplies.

Prelims Question — English

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Uzbekistan:

1. Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country.
2. It shares borders with Afghanistan.
3. It shares borders with all the other four Central Asian republics.
4. Uzbekistan is an important uranium-producing country.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

Explanation: All four statements are correct. Uzbekistan is doubly landlocked, borders Afghanistan, shares borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, and is a major uranium producer.