Ambassador Interviews

Ambassador’s interview with Birinchi radio, KTRK

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1. After Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1991, India was one of the first republics to establish diplomatic relations with a sovereign state. Mr. Ambassador, in your opinion, at what stage are the bilateral relations between our countries now? 

Bilateral relations between India and the Kyrgyz Republic are warm, close and friendly and has been elevated to a strategic partnership now. There is mutual support, respect, friendship and trust between us. We share values such as development and democracy. We have strong cultural bonds. There is excellent cooperation in several areas. I feel that the bilateral relationship has strengthened over these years and the future is bright and holds considerable potential for expansion. 

2. Mr. Arun Kumar Chatterjee, at the end of January this year, you had a meeting with the Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, Daniyar Amangeldiev. During the meeting, you discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation, paying special attention to increasing the volume of trade turnover and expanding trade and economic ties. Could you tell us a little bit about that too? 

Trade between India and the Kyrgyz Republic was nearly US$ 118 million in 2022. It is expected to be around US$ 100 million in 2023. This is well below the potential. Once implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects with Indian grant assistance begins, I am confident that the volume of trade turnover will increase.  India and the Kyrgyz Republic are also negotiating a Line of Credit of US$ 200 million. Once finalized and signed, there will be good prospects of expanding the economic ties and the trade turnover. 

3. Geographically, our countries are located far from each other, in your opinion, do we have historical ties? 

Though we are geographically far, our people reside in the hearts of each other. There is great warmth between the people of both our countries. This flows from historical times when India has had close contacts with Central Asia, especially countries which were part of the Silk Route, including Kyrgyzstan. Though connectivity is a problem today, the Silk Route saw movement of not only traders but also of artists, scholars and pilgrims during ancient times. This led to growth of art, architecture and culture together with spread of new ideas. Buddhism too spread to the Central Asian Region from India through the Silk Route. 

4. Mr. Ambassador, what cultural events are planned between our countries in 2024? 

India and the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a cultural exchange programme in June 2022. The areas identified for cooperation are dance, music, theatre, mass media, literature, archaeology, and organization of exhibitions and festivals. Artists and Artisans are participating in the Suraj Kund Mela in India from 2^nd to 18^th February. From India, an eight member Dance Group recently performed at Bishkek on 31^st January, 2024 and at Osh on 3^rd February. A 20-member Youth Delegation from Kyrgyz Republic representing  diverse cultural fields is scheduled to visit India in March 2024. 

5. Mr. Ambassador, do you work with the Indian Diaspora in Bishkek? 

Yes, we have regular interaction with the Indian Diaspora which is now 17,000 strong. There are more than 16,000 students studying medicine in various universities at Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Kant, Osh and Jalabad. We meet and help them in settling down here. We have several Indian businesspersons and professionals working here. We are extremely grateful to the Kyrgyz Government for looking after the welfare of the Diaspora. We work closely with the Diaspora members in further enhancing the bilateral relations between our two countries. The Diaspora participates in various activities organized by our Embassy. 

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