India and Uzbekistan have embarked on a significant cultural collaboration to restore the ancient Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa in Termez, southern Uzbekistan. This initiative was formalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Uzbekistan on August 30, 2026, marking a new chapter in the civilizational ties between the two nations.
The agreement, part of a broader cultural package, involves India's Ministry of External Affairs and Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage Agency. It was among the key outcomes of discussions between Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. The cultural package also includes a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026–30, an agreement on archival cooperation, and a memorandum of understanding on Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems.
In addition to these agreements, India announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarships for Hindi studies in Uzbekistan, and an ICCR Sanskrit Chair will be established at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. These measures aim to strengthen the civilizational dimension of the bilateral relationship, which has been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Termez, located near the Amu Darya in the Surkhandarya region, was historically part of Bactria, a crucial crossroads connecting the Indian subcontinent with Iran, Central Asia, and the Silk Road. The region's strategic location made it a significant center for Buddhist religious and intellectual life, especially during the Kushan Empire era.
Kara Tepa and Fayaz Tepa are notable monastic complexes within this archaeological landscape. Kara Tepa, a vast monastic complex, features rock-cut and above-ground structures, including monastic cells, prayer spaces, and stupas. It reached prominence during the third and fourth centuries CE, with over 150 inscriptions in Indian scripts like Kharosthi and Brahmi, highlighting the cultural connections between India and Central Asia.
Fayaz Tepa, a sangharama-type monastery, flourished during the first to third centuries CE. Its remains include mud-brick architecture, sculptures, and wall paintings. The site is renowned for a seated Buddha image, exemplifying Buddhist-Hellenistic artistic interaction. Inscriptions found here further underscore the cultural networks linking Termez to India.
The Kushan period facilitated cultural exchange between India and Central Asia, with Termez playing a pivotal role. Monasteries along trade routes received patronage, and Buddhist texts and traditions spread across regions, absorbing local influences and evolving new forms.
Restoring Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa presents technical challenges due to the use of earth-based materials like mud brick and cob in their construction. However, this restoration effort underscores the shared historical and cultural heritage between India and Uzbekistan, reinforcing their commitment to preserving these ancient sites.
