Defence high on India-Kyrgyz talks

New Delhi: Strengthening defence and trade ties would be on top of the agenda during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Kyrgyz President Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambayev in the national capital on Tuesday.

The visit of Mr Atambayev, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior ministers, will also provide an opportunity to sides to explore projects to increase surface connectivity. This is the Kyrgyz leader’s first Presidential visit to New Delhi.

Maintaining that both countries share common concerns on threat of terrorism, extremism and drug–trafficking, the two sides had signed an agreement to boost defence cooperation and hold annual joint military exercises during Mr Modi’s visit there in 2015.

Besides joint military exercises, the two countries have been cooperating on high-mountain biomedical research to know impact on soldiers when they carry out operations at high altitude.

Bolstering existing defence cooperation, enhancing trade ties and exploring surface connectivity projects will be high on the agenda of talks between the two leaders.

Kyrgyzstan supports India’s bid for membership of the UN Security Council and welcomed its entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).  During his four-day State visit, Mr Atambayev, who arrived in the Capital, will also have a meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee, who will host a banquet in his honour, according to news agency reports.

The Kyrgyz President will also attend India–Kyrgyz Republic Joint Business Forum being organised by industry chambers FICCI, CII and Assocham on Wednesday. There are about 4,500 Indian students studying medicine in various medical institutions in Kyrgyzstan apart from a few businessmen, who are engaged in trade and services in the central Asian country.