Embassy of India
Bishkek
Address by Ambassador at the Republic Day Reception
Bishkek
24th January, 2025
Your Excellency Mr. Temirbek Erkinov
Excellencies and colleagues from the Diplomatic Community;
Distinguished Guests,
members of the Indian Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening!
It is an honour and privilege to welcome H.E Mr. Temirbek Erkinov representing the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic at today’s reception to mark the 76th Republic Day of India, which would be celebrated on 26th January in a grand manner in New Delhi, State capitals and all across India with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm. A warm welcome also to all distinguished guests.
Republic Day is an important day as it was on this day that after attaining independence on 15th August 1947, India, one of the rare ancient civilisations made a successful transition to a nation State by adopting it’s Constitution – laying down democratic framework for country’s political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, safeguarding fundamental rights and outlining the principles of governance.
India was the first country to provide universal adult suffrage to all her citizens irrespective of caste, colour, religion, economic or educational status. The democratic traditions in India have strengthened with the passage of time with peaceful conduct of general elections at regular intervals and peaceful transfer of power. Our quasi-federal structure ensures devolution of power and participation of population in electing their own government at the state level. Democracy has also percolated to the grass root level (village and wards) with provisions for fair representation of women and vulnerable sections of society. The last general elections held in last summer in 2024 were the largest democratic exercise witnessed by the world. With vibrant, dynamic and world’s largest functional democracy, India is progressing towards achieving aspirational vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, year when India would be having centennial celebration of our independence. In the last decade, India has become the 5th largest economy in the world from being the 10th largest in the year 2014. As per various projections, it is expected to move to 3rd place in next two years. India today is the fastest growing major economy in the world with GDP growth rate being 8.2% & 6.4% in year 2022 & 2023. It is projected at 6.6% for 2024. With these impressive rates of growth, it is expected to become a US $ 5 trillion economy soon.
The economic transformation is evident by massive surge in infrastructure projects – airports, ports, express ways, railways, metros, power generation and transmission etc. The focus is on “Make in India” to turn India into a manufacturing hub facilitated by Production Linked Incentive Scheme and to become a part of global value supply chains. Equal importance is also being placed on critical and emerging technologies like AI, Green Hydrogen etc.
The one area where India has emerged as clear frontrunner is in the embrace of Digital Public Infrastructure and the size of digital transactions are a testament to it. India’s leap in DPI has resulted in improving the quality of governance; ensuring direct transfer of socio-economic scheme benefits to intended beneficiaries; increasing efficiency and reducing intermediate losses. This has resulted in huge improvement in the ease of living for the ordinary citizen.
Economic growth is meaningless if it is not inclusive and sustainable. India, under the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of सबका साथ, सबका विकास, सबका विश्वास, और सबका प्रयास’ India is committed to ensure equitable participation of all citizens in the growth story of India. India has been at the forefront to establish International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuel Alliance, International Big Cat Alliance & Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and has been promoting sustainable lifestyle (MISSION LIFE) and promoting Yoga and Ayurveda.
It may be noted that India also supported Kyrgyzstan’s initiative on Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Programme.
India believes in the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam” and hence motto of G-20 Presidency hosted by India was “One World, One Family, One Future”. India has been a “Vishwa Bandhu”, a reliable partner and a dependable friend in the comity of nations, by playing role expected from her - be it coming to aid of our neighbourhood during their difficult economic times; being first responder during natural and humanitarian disasters; providing maritime security to facilitate freedom of navigation in troubled waters in our neighbourhood impacting global trade; supplying vaccines during COVID when many others were reluctant despite having huge surplus; as a bridge between developed and developing world by espousing Voice of Global South; by projecting the interests and concerns of fellow developing countries especially in current fluid geo-political situation and where in by advocating for Dialogue and Diplomacy to find solutions.
Coming to bilateral relations between India and the Kyrgyz Republic, our two countries having historical and civilisation foundation, the contemporary ties have evolved into a strategic partnership. The traditionally warm and friendly relations between our two nations are manifested through cooperation across diverse areas/sectors such as Political, Economic and Commercial, Developmental Cooperation, Capacity Building through both civilian and defence component of Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation programme, Defence and Security cooperation, People to People linkages and Cultural Relations. Regular exchanges in these diverse areas happened throughout the year and our endeavour would be to give further impetus to these areas of cooperation through continued exchanges and explore new areas of cooperation. We are committed to the implementation of several agreements signed during the high level visits earlier. Our current bilateral trade is much below the potential and we will work together the Kyrgyz side to increase it to higher level considering the complementarity of our two economies.
We are confident that both sides will soon be in a position to implement various projects bringing benefit to the communities in the Kyrgyz Republic through India’s High Impact Community Development Projects programme. We would be also ready to finance projects as per the priorities identified by the Government and People of the Kyrgyz Republic through one concessional line of credit. We also look forward to enhanced exchanges during the year through India-Central Asia Summit Forum mechanism and through Kyrgyz Republic’s Presidency of the SCO Head of States mechanism in near future.
I would like to express appreciation and also thank the Kyrgyz Government for ensuring safety and security of Indian diaspora mainly the medical students. Indian community worldwide is known for their hardwork, apolitical and law abiding nature and ability to gel well with the local communities. We are happy that the Indian community in the Kyrgyz Republic has lived upto that reputation and would continue to be bridges of friendship between our two nations. The Indian community are the real ambassadors of our nation and I am confident that through their conduct they will keep the flag flying high. We would also be happy to facilitate mobility of Indian professionals and workers to ensure that Indian nationals arrive legally to work in the Kyrgyz Republic and that their rights are protected. I hope that the Kyrgyz Government would continue to look after their welfare
I would also like to congratulate Dr. Prem Kumar who was awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025 recently, the first recipient from Indian diaspora from Kyrgyz Republic.
I am informed that soon there would be regular direct flight connectivity between Delhi and Bishkek. It will help in further increasing the people to people linkages and the ease of travel would further boost our commercial, cultural ties and overall bilateral ties.
In the end, I would like to once again thank H.E. Mr. Temirbek Erkinov for gracing today’s event as the Chief Guest; thank you all for joining us to celebrate India’s Republic Day. I would like to thank Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for extending all the support to our Embassy. I would also like to appreciate efforts of Embassy team and thank them in organising this event.
I thank you for your patience.
Jai Hind.
