India-Uzbekistan:
A Cultural Connection That Surprised Us
When we first landed in Tashkent, we expected to explore stunning architecture, snowy mountains and bustling bazaars. What we did not expect was the overwhelming warmth and affection we would receive simply for being Indian – a cultural connection that genuinely surprised us.
Travelling through Azerbaijan and Georgia had already shown us the love that Indians enjoy abroad, so it was not a complete shock. But Uzbekistan took that connection to another level.
From the First ‘Namaste’
At passport control, the officer looked at my passport and smiled. “Ah, Indian,” he said. “Is your name Preity Zinta? Or Priyanka Chopra?”
I laughed and replied, “Just Mridula.”
He nodded warmly. “Ah, Mridula, wonderful. Namaste, Uzbekistan welcomes you.”
What struck me most was how perfectly he pronounced my name, a rarity even among fellow Indians in Dubai. That set the tone for what would become eight days of constant warmth, curiosity and unexpected cultural encounters.
Beyond Mere Courtesy
Before we even exited the airport, the saga continued. While waiting for our luggage, a few people approached us, wondering if we were students who had come to study. When we said we were tourists, their excitement only grew. “Indian tourists!” they beamed. And this was just the first of many such moments.
Throughout our trip, strangers would stop us in the streets with kind smiles, asking, “Hindustan? India? Bharat?” Others would politely double-check. “Bangladesh? Pakistan? India?” They wanted to avoid stereotypes, and would launch into conversations about Bollywood once we confirmed.
Tashkent: Friendly Streets and Warm Welcomes
Our cab rides became cultural exchanges in motion. One driver spoke no English but enthusiastically named every Bollywood actor he knew, laughing after each name as a sign of approval.
“Shah Rukh Khan? Haha! Mithun? Jimmy Jimmy!” he said, mimicking his moves.
He tried to use every single Bollywood reference and English word he knew, and ended the 15-minute ride triumphantly with, “English All, Internet! Google! Haha!” He also refused to keep our small change of 500 som, echoing something we experienced across the country, genuine hospitality.
Some drivers played Hindi songs for us, thrilled when we asked for Uzbek music instead. On the streets, people waved, smiled, and young people stopped us for selfies.
A group of university students even interviewed me for a class project just because I spoke English and was Indian.
One older woman stared at me for so long in a fast food joint, we weren’t sure why, so we moved inside. She later came in, beaming, and asked for a selfie. “Look,” she told her grandchild, “Indian!” and thanked me repeatedly.
Even a cleaner sweeping the street saw us walking down a difficult stretch of road and excitedly asked, “India?” Then he thoughtfully gestured if we were lost. “Don’t walk, take car,” he advised, before continuing with Bollywood references.
With each interaction, we felt more welcome and closer to their culture. We could see how different generations connected to India. Older locals mentioned Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and of course, Mithun. Younger people leaned towards Shah Rukh Khan, but the affection was the same. There is even a popular restaurant in Uzbekistan called ‘Raj Kapoor’.
Samarkand: An Even Warmer Welcome
By the time we reached Samarkand, we were used to the attention. But it somehow felt even warmer. At our guesthouse, the manager smiled and said, “Don’t be surprised if people stare, wave, or want selfies. Everyone loves Indians here.”
Soon after, at Registan Square, a group of schoolgirls on a field trip with their English Teacher approached us with big smiles, excited to take selfies and ask questions about Indian food and culture. They were clearly practicing their English and delighted by the exchange.
Many young people, including waiters, drivers and passers-by, would ask if it was OK to practice their English with us.
In a small eatery, a group of men debated in the corner about whether we were Indian or Pakistani. One guessed correctly and approached us to politely confirm. He turned out to be an Uzbek-American with a clear affection for the culture.
Others would gesture to our local food, asking if we liked it, and smile when we said yes. There were also instances when drivers asked about our religion out of genuine curiosity. They were surprised to hear about India’s religious diversity.
More Than a Moment, a Deep Connection
Coming from Dubai, a city where everyone is from somewhere else, it is easy to forget what it is like to be seen for your cultural identity. In Uzbekistan, we were not just tourists. We were representatives of a country they admired, a culture they connected to deeply through music, movies and stories.
Having worked in arts and culture, I have always believed in the power of cultural soft power. Film, music and food connect people in ways that politics and borders never can. Uzbekistan and India share that kind of bond. Experiencing it first-hand was both humbling and heartwarming.
So, Why Do Uzbeks Love India?
It is hard to pinpoint just one reason. Perhaps it is decades of shared cinema. Perhaps it is curiosity about each other’s lives. Similarities in food. Or maybe it is the kindness of strangers meeting at the crossroads of culture.
Whatever it is, the affection we experienced was sincere and enduring.
So yes, visit Uzbekistan not just for its architectural wonders, landscapes and historic cities, but for the hospitality, the food and the people.
If you are Indian or from the subcontinent, do not be surprised if your trip to Uzbekistan feels like going home, or at least like being a beloved guest.
And if you are not, you will still witness how cultures connect through music, cinema and gestures.
