UNIPATH STAFF
The Kyrgyz Republic finalized plans to hold joint military exercises with India in 2017, reiterating the need for a global partnership to combat terrorism. In a December 2016 visit to India, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid particular attention to the fight against extremism and efforts to enhance trade and economic exchanges between the countries.
Both countries collaborate in conducting defense exercises annually. The countries are building the Kyrgyz-Indian Mountain Training Centre in Balykchi in the Issyk-Kul district of the Kyrgyz Republic. The center will provide instruction and training to personnel of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic and also host joint mountain training exercises. India has built a military hospital and information technology centers at military institutions in the republic, and the two countries also jointly undertake mountaineering expeditions to scale challenging peaks.
Given that the Kyrgyz Republic, like several of its neighbors, tries to combat youth radicalization and other challenges to stability, the country is of high strategic importance to India. In part to build stability and economic growth, the two countries hope to strengthen trade and economic relations, which face challenges of connectivity. Recently, India partnered with the Kyrgyz Republic, along with other Central Asian countries, to fast-track the construction, operationalization, simplification and streamlining of procedures for transport over the International North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) as well as its connection to the Chabahar seaport.
India and the Kyrgyz Republic collaborate extensively in conducting elections, training personnel and sharing best practices in building democracy. India offered to share its experience in special courses for members and staff of the Kyrgyz Parliament. Sources: The Hindu, Eurasia Review