Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan): India on Monday agreed to a USD 200 million Line of Credit to support development projects in Kyrgyzstan after conclusion of "cordial and constructive" talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Kyrgyz counterpart Ruslan Kazakbaev.
Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday as part of his four-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Armenia with an aim to further expand bilateral ties with the three Central Asian countries. "Cordial and constructive talks with FM Ruslan Kazakbaev of Kyrgyz Republic. Agreed on USD 200 million LoC to support development projects. Also concluded an understanding on executing high impact community projects," Jaishankar tweeted.
During his meeting, Jaishankar also discussed the need for early travel of Indian students and a more liberal visa regime between the two countries. "Discussed need for early travel of Indian students and more liberal visa regime. Reviewed our defence and security cooperation positively," he said. During the meeting, Jaishankar also held discussion on the evolving situation in Afghanistan. "India and Kyrgyz Republic have a shared approach to developments in Afghanistan," he said in a tweet.
Jaishankar also gifted Indian epics and classics to the Manas-Mahatma Gandhi library in Bishkek. "Very pleased to gift Indian epics and classics to the Manas-Mahatma Gandhi library in Bishkek. Applaud the leadership of Prof. Turgunaliev in strengthening our cultural cooperation," he tweeted.
During his stay in Kyrgyzstan, Jaishankar will also call on President Sadyr Japarov. "This will be his first visit to the country as the external affairs minister," the Ministry of External Affairs had said, adding that some agreements are also expected to be signed during the visit. Jaishankar will be in Kazakhstan from October 11 to 12 to attend the 6th Ministerial meeting of the Conference of Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the MEA said.
Jaishankar is also scheduled to have meetings with his Armenian counterpart as well as call on the Prime Minister and President of the National Assembly of Armenia. This will be the first-ever visit of an External Affairs Minister of India to independent Armenia. Jaishankar will visit Armenia on October 12 to 13 during which he will have meetings with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan and call on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Jaishankar's three-nation visit will be a continuation of India's increased engagement with countries in its "extended neighbourhood", according to the MEA. It is learnt that the developments in Afghanistan are expected to figure prominently in Jaishankar's talks with leaders of the three central Asian countries.
With agencies inputs
