Kyrgyzstan President’s Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambayev 4-day visit to India from December 18-21, 2016

President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambayev, was on a four-day official visit to India from December 18-21, 2016. This was Atambayev’s first visit to India after being appointed as the President.

• During his visit, he was accompanied by his spouse Raisa Atambaeva along with a high-level delegation comprising of Ministers, senior officials and business leaders.
• President Atambayev arrived in New Delhi on December 20 and was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Pranab Mukherjee who also hosted a dinner banquet in his honour.
• The visiting President had official engagements on December 20 to discuss bilateral issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hosted a lunch for him.
• Besides, President Atambayev also attended a Joint Business Forum as a part of his visit.
• The Kyrgyzstan’s Presidents visit comes right after a very successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kyrgyzstan in July 2015, which is expected to strengthen the traditionally cordial and close ties between the two sides.
• India and Kyrgyzstan share excellent relations marked by strong ties in various areas including Political and Defence, Economy and Commerce, Education and Human Resource Development, Culture and Tourism.
• The trade between the two countries was $27.99 million in 2015, with India’s exports to Kyrgyzstan amounting to $26.20 million.
• Apparel and clothing, leather goods, pharmaceuticals, and tea are some of the important items in India’s exported to the visiting country.
• About 4500 Indian students are studying medicine in various medical institutions in Kyrgyzstan.

India and Kyrgyzstan signs six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)

After delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambayev in New Delhi on December 20, 2016, India and Kyrgyzstan signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including tourism, agriculture and food industry and Youth Affairs.

• During the bilateral discussion, PM Modi and President Atambayev discussed how the two countries can work together to secure the youth and society against common challenges of terrorism, extremism and radicalism. The two leaders also reviewed cooperative engagement in the field of defence.
• The two sides encouraged engagement in capacity building and training, healthcare, tourism, IT, agriculture, mining and energy. Kyrgyz Republic is regarded as a valuable partner in common pursuit of making Central Asia a region of sustainable peace,
  stability and prosperity.
• Besides, both leaders also issued joint statement.

6 MoUs signed includes:

1. Cooperation in the field of Tourism
2. Cooperation in the field of Youth exchange
3. Cooperation in the field of Youth development
4. Cooperation between the Foreign Service Institute and the Diplomatic Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic for exchange of information on training programmes of diplomats.
5. Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Food Industry
6. Cooperation in the field of Broadcasting and exchange of audiovisual programmes.

Joint Statement

A joint statement was issued after the bilateral meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev to review the status of the agreements reached by the two countries following the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Kyrgyzstan in 2015.

• They reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance multifaceted cooperation. The two sides noted that the current level of trade and investment relations is below potential and directed Ministries and Departments to develop a comprehensive road-map in this area.
• They also agreed to explore new mechanisms to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
• The two sides expressed satisfaction over the increasing flow of tourists between the two countries, and resolved to work towards effective visa facilitation.
• The Indian side highly appreciated the support extended by the Kyrgyz Republic to the Kyrgyz-India Mountain Bio-Medical Research Center. President Atambayev highly praised India’s contribution in setting up a Telemedicine Network in Kyrgyzstan.

India and Kyrgyzstan share common concerns on the threat of terrorism, extremism and drug-trafficking

President Pranab Mukherjee, on December 20, 2016, while delivering a banquet speech said that India and Kyrgyzstan share common concerns on the threat of terrorism and extremism and drug-trafficking President.

• India shares a long-standing friendly relation with Kyrgyzstan. India and Kyrgyzstan will celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2017.
• India has always considered the Kyrgyz Republic to be an important part of its extended neighbourhood not only geographically but also historically and civilisationally. Both the countries shares past, reflected in many elements of the culture.
• Mukherjee also complimented the Kyrgyzstan President on the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections in October last year and for successfully steering a referendum on constitutional amendments earlier this month.

Kyrgyzstan

• Capital: Bishkek
• Currency: Kyrgyzstani som