India, Kyrgyzstan are now strategic partners

India and the Central Asian Kyrgyz Republic raised their bilateral relationship to the level of a “strategic partnership” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on June 13,14. The two countries signed a slew of agreements, including on a bilateral investment treaty, during Modi’s visit, to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek and for bilateral talks with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The Kyrgyz president came to India to attend Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on May 30 and said there was immense scope in their bilateral relationship.

“We have decided to take our bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership. This will help us for long-term cooperation in every field of our partnership,” Modi said, adding that the two countries have decided to set up a joint working group to boost defence cooperation.

He also said that 2021 will be observed as a friendship year between the two countries.

“We have agreed on a roadmap for five years on trade and economic cooperation. We will hold ‘Namaskar Eurasia’ trade show in Bishkek,” Modi said and urged Indian companies and investors to explore areas such as medicine, textiles, railways, hydro power, mining, minerals and tourism in the Central Asian country.

He also announced a USD200 million concessional line of credit to meet development needs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Modi addressed the first India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum meeting and said the world economy was transforming rapidly and growth of a big economy like India and its technological progress was a big factor for stability and hope in the world.

Modi said there were three catalysts to promote trade and investment - right

atmosphere, connectivity and business-to-business exchange. Connectivity was also important to ease trade, he said, noting that Chabahar port had emerged as a new link between India and Afghanistan.

“We will have to give more attention to connectivity between Central Asia and India,” he said.