Ambassador Interviews

Part 1 : A brief history of bilateral relations :

Historically, India has had close contacts with Central Asia, especially countries which were part of the ancient Silk Route, including the Kyrgyz Republic. During the Soviet era, India and the then Kyrgyz Republic had limited political, economic and cultural contacts.  

 Q. Tell us about yourself, when did you come to Kyrgyzstan

 A. I assumed charge as Ambassador of India to the Kyrgyz Republic on 17 August 2022. Ijoined Government of India in 1992. I belong to the Indian Foreign Service. I am a career Diplomat and have had the opportunity to represent India at various levels in different countries.My journey in my diplomatic carrier began in Central Asia when I served as Third/ Second Secretary in Embassy of India, Almaty, in Kazakhstan from May 1994 to September 1998. I have also served as Counsellor in Embassy of India, Seoul, in the Republic of Korea from February 2006 to July 2007 and First Secretary/ Counsellor in Permanent Mission of India (PMI), Geneva, from December 2002 to December 2005,

I have served in various capacities in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. Just prior to assuming charge as Ambassador of India to the Kyrgyz Republic, I was Additional Secretary (Administration) in the Ministry of External Affairs and simultaneously held additional charge of Dean, Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS). I arrived in Bishkek on 16th August, 2022.

 Q. What languages do you speak ? Do you speak Kyrgyz ?

 A. I have learnt the Kazakh language and have working knowledge of Russian and French languages. I know Hindi, Bengali and the English languages. I would like to learn the Kyrgyz language also. Since I know the Kazakh language, I feel that it would not be difficult learning the Kyrgyz language.

 Q. When and how diplomatic relations were established between our countries?

 A. After the independence of Kyrgyz Republic on 31 August, 1991, India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations on with the Kyrgyz Republic on 18 March, 1992. The resident Mission of India was set up on 23 May 1994. India and the Kyrgyz Republic are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Q. 30 years of friendship between the two nations.  Tell us about the events that influenced the development of bilateral relations.  Features and unique moments.

 A. Political ties with the Kyrgyz Republic have been traditionally warm and friendly. Kyrgyz Republic supported India in securing full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and also supports India’s bid for permanent seat at UNSC. Both countries share common concerns on threats of terrorism, extremism and drug–trafficking. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the two countries have signed several framework agreements, including on Culture, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Civil Aviation, Investment Promotion and Protection, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Consular Convention, etc.

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has twice visited the Kyrgyz Republic - first on 11-12 July, 2015 and then on June 13-14, 2019 to attend the meeting of Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Prime Minister also paid an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic on 14 June, 2019 after the conclusion of the SCO Summit. During the visit, India and the Kyrgyz Republic established a strategic partnership and signed the Joint Declaration on Establishing Strategic Partnership. Fifteen bilateral documents, including Bilateral Investment Treaty, Road map on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Republic of India and the Kyrgyz Republic for the Five-Year period (2019-2024), were signed.

At the initiative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India Shri Narendra Modi, the first India-Central Asia Summit on 27 January 2022 in virtual format. President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov participated in this Summit.

Part 2 — About your country

Every citizen in Kyrgyzstan will be interested in learning about the culture and the traditions of your country (Please attach 5-6 photos)

 A. Over the centuries, there has been a significant fusion of cultures between Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and various tribal populations in India. India is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and other religions.

The important characteristics of Indian Culture are civilized communication, beliefs, values, etiquette, and rituals. India is well known for its 'Unity in Diversity' across the world. That means India is a diverse nation where many religious people live together peacefully having their own different cultures. Indian culture is complex in nature and with diversity in religion and their customs we live with unity. The two most important tenets of Indian culture are Human Values and Holism. Human values refer to moral, spiritual and ethical values while Holism means oneness or unity.

Next on our list of customs and traditions in Indian culture is festivals. There are hundreds of celebrations to experience in India, meaning that every day holds a new celebration. The huge variety of festivals represents India’s rich culture and traditions, with state-wide, religion-based, and community-focused festivals on offer.

Part 3 : Business and investment potential (opportunities for doing joint business with the Kyrgyz Republic or already an existing business)

 Q. Kyrgyzstan now plays big attention to the development of tourism, please share your experience, what steps have been taken by your country to develop tourism?

 A. Connectivity remains one of the biggest challenges for trade and tourism between India and Kyrgyz Republic. Air Manas had started direct flight on Bishkek-Delhi-Bishkek sector since 20 February 2015 but during pandemic the operations were discontinued. At present Air Nomad has been given permission to operate chartered flights to cater the need for medical tourism, tourism and to assist the business travelers. The commencement of direct regular flights between Delhi and Bishkek is under process and soon will be in place. The regular flight operation will contribute significantly to growth of tourism.

 Q. What business projects between the Kyrgyz Republic and your country have been implemented or are being implemented?

A five year road map to enhance trade and investments was signed between India and the Kyrgyz Republic on 14 June, 2019 during the visit of Prime Minister to Bishkek. Bilateral trade between India and Kyrgyz Republic in 2022-23 (Jan-June, 2022) has already crossed USD 41 million and is expected to touch new heights this year. India and the Kyrgyz Republic are exploring joint-development projects in the fields of eco tourism, jewellery-design, pharmaceuticals, medicines, medical education, IT Parks and data-banksn etc. India will also support establishment of three more Telemedicine Centers in the Batken, Jalalababd and Chui regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Development Cooperation is an important area of bilateral cooperation between India and the Kyrgyz Republic. Telemedicine centers set up by India have helped the people living in the rural areas of Kyrgyz Republic get connected to medical facilities in cities. The establishment of of Bhabhatron in Bishkek has been useful in cancer diagnosis of not only for the residents of Bishkek but across the whole of Kyrgyz Republic. India has committed to providing another Bhabhatron for the hospital in Osh. 

Government of India has given a formal offer of a Line of Credit of US$ 200 million Line of Credit for infrastructure development projects in the Kyrgyz Republic which has been accepted by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. We are holding discussions with regard to its utilization. An MoU on High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) was signed in October 2021 which will enable in the implementation of quick community development projects in various sectors for the benefit of the common people of the Kyrgyz Republic under full grant funding by the Government of India. These amply demonstrate the gains from a constructive relationship between our two countries for the betterment of common people.

Technical assistance under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program, particularly in terms of human resources development, is an important component of India’s economic involvement in Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyz Republic has been offered 100 slots for 2022-23. More than 1400 professionals from the Kyrgyz Republic have received training in India since 1992.  

India and the Kyrgyz Republic have a common interest in maintaining peace and security in the region. Defence and security cooperation thus occupies an important positive place in our bilateral relations. Defence exchanges and personnel-training are important components of this cooperation. Cooperation in the fields of high-altitude training and biomedical research are important. Annual military exercise "Khanjar" is another noteworthy feature of this relationship.  

India and Kyrgyz Republic have signed a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2022-2026 to give greater emphasis on preservation and promotion of our cultural cooperation. A Hindi-Kyrgyz Dictionary of Words of Common Origin, jointly produced by Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the Kyrgyz State Language Commission, was released in October 2022. We have gifted Indian books to Manas-Mahatma Gandhi Library of the Kyrgyz Manas Chingiz Aitmatov Foundation.

Having seen a little bit of Kyrgyz landscape since my arrival, I am convinced that the picturesque Kyrgyz lakes and peaks offer excellent destinations for Bollywood productions. An incentive-package by Kyrgyz side may open new avenues for Bollywood film shootings.

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