13:54, 24 декабря 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Darya PODOLSKAYA
India has been connected with the countries of Central Asia, in particular with Kyrgyzstan, by the Great Silk Road since the 3rd century BC. The most famous route was effectively used not only by merchants, but by philosophers, thinkers and monks. They spread their teachings and shared their intellectual achievements.
After the Kyrgyz Republic gained independence on August 31, 1991, India was one of the first republics to establish diplomatic relations with the sovereign state.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Kyrgyzstan Arun Kumar Chatterjee told in an interview with 24.kg news agency why the small mountainous country could be of interest to one of the largest and most developed states of South Asia with a population of 1.4 billion.
— In what priority areas does India intend to expand cooperation with Kyrgyzstan?
— India and Kyrgyzstan are interconnected by historical and civilizational features of development. Political relations between our countries have traditionally been warm and friendly.
We plan to continue working in such sectors as trade, investment, defense and security. I also would like to note that our states are interested in reducing the threats of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee
— How can such a small country as Kyrgyzstan be of interest to such a giant as India, especially since we are far from each other geographically?
—It is not necessary to have a common border for successful cooperation. Yes, India is developing its bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan as with a distant neighbor. But we are strategic partners. In addition to excellent bilateral cooperation, our states work closely together on international platforms. We manage to achieve mutual understanding, our views on international and regional issues are similar.
The first India-Central Asia Summit (ICAS) took place on January 27, 2022 in a virtual mode at the initiative of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All five presidents of the republics of the region, including Sadyr Japarov, took part in it. A declaration determining areas of cooperation was adopted at the summit. In addition to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Trade and Culture of India and Kyrgyzstan will also meet systematically. A meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils is planned.
This is one of the positives, as for the negatives — the level of trade and investment between India and Kyrgyzstan is below the real potential.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee
It is necessary to make an effort to increase it. Moreover, we have issues to talk about and to work on in such sectors as medicine, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, information technology, business process outsourcing, infrastructure, agriculture and processing of agricultural products, energy, space, textile, leather and shoe industry, gems and jewelry, hydropower, hospitality and tourism. I have listed the most promising industries.
— What government agencies and NGOs in the Kyrgyz Republic does India cooperate with?
— India is closely cooperating with various ministries and departments in Kyrgyzstan. We also develop relationships with organizations to implement projects in the field of culture.
They include the Diplomatic Academy, the CEC, the National Institute for Strategic Studies, the Manas National Academy, the National Library, the National Museum and the Kyrgyz-Indian Biomedical Research Center, the National Commission on the State Language and Language Policy. We do not work with the non-profit sector.
— How do you assess the prospects for cooperation between our countries?
— Pretty high. This year, on November 14, Indian-Kyrgyz inter-MFA consultations were held in Bishkek. The parties conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and concluded that they were developing satisfactorily in various areas, including political and economic spheres, as well as trade, defense and education. On November 3, the Indian-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation held a regular meeting in a virtual format, chaired by the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India Piyush Goyal and the Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic Talantbek Imanov.
This can be regarded as an impetus for expansion of bilateral trade and investment opportunities. India is interested in participating in trade fairs and exhibitions in Kyrgyzstan and has invited your representatives to take part in trade exhibitions in our republic. The parties agreed to expand the commodity basket.
We have every reason to believe that bilateral trade will exceed $100 million for the first time.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee
India offers world class medical services at an affordable price. Our clinics have signed cooperation agreements with various hospitals in Kyrgyzstan. Your citizens willingly come to us for medical help, especially if they need a liver transplant, for example. This operation is almost 100 percent successful.
— It is good, but what shortcomings in the development of relations between our countries would you point out and how can they be corrected?
— There are shortcomings, of course. This is natural when building a partnership. Wider use of the international North-South transport corridor and Chabahar port will be an important step towards resolving logistics issues and will give impetus to the Indian-Kyrgyz trade relations.
As for the relationship between India and Kyrgyzstan, I would point out the lack of a transport corridor as a problem.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee
Direct flights have been recently opened between India and Kyrgyzstan. I hope that this will help develop tourism and commercial activities between us.
— What can Kyrgyzstan offer India?
— Cooperation. We have already outlined a range of priority sectors in which we would like to develop partnerships. These are trade, investment, digitalization, intellectual property protection, agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. In addition, we can actively cooperate in the fields of light industry, education, environmental protection, standardization and metrology, banking, transport, labor, mining and energy sectors.
— What achievements in the relations between Kyrgyzstan and India would you name?
— This istelemedicine, for example. This network is successfully operating in three hospitals in Bishkek, clinics in Osh, Karakol and Talas region. Bhabhatron II simulator for the treatment of cancer patients was donated to your country. This is a remote gamma therapeutic device designed for radiation therapy of malignant tumors. One has already been installed and is operating in Bishkek. We will hand over another one soon. It will be transported to Osh.
A high-altitude research station of the Kyrgyz-Indian Mountain Biomedical Research Center is operating on the Suek Pass, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. It studies biological reactions in the process of acclimatization in the highlands.
— Are there any significant projects in the field of culture and education?
— A center for the study of India has been established at the National Library of Bishkek. It works to promote the study of our republic and our culture. English and Hindi are also taught there. Yoga and Kathak dance classes are held. The Manas — Mahatma Gandhi Library appeared at the Manas National Academy.
More than 15,000 Indian students study at medical schools in Kyrgyzstan.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee
— As far as I know, India is a generous creditor of Kyrgyzstan. Please, tell us more about this aspect of cooperation.
— Willingly. During the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, our country announced a $1 billion credit line offer from our government to five states of Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan. In addition, during an official visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bishkek, India also announced the provision of $200 million to Kyrgyzstan. The money was intended for priority development projects in your republic in areas such as transport, energy, information technology, healthcare, education and agriculture.
In October 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Indian grant assistance for rapid impact and community development projects in Kyrgyzstan.
In a word, we have something to offer you, you have something to interest us.