New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday held talks with Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Ruslan Kazakbaev on a wide range of bilateral and global issues, including Afghanistan. During the meeting, India agreed to a USD 200 million Line of Credit support for development projects in Kyrgyzstan.
"Cordial and constructive talks with FM Ruslan Kazakbaev of Kyrgyz Republic. Also concluded an understanding of executing high impact community projects. Also concluded an understanding of executing high impact community projects", EAM Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.
During the meeting, Jaishankar also discussed the need for early travel of Indian students and a more liberal visa regime.
"Discussed need for early travel of Indian students and more liberal visa regime. Reviewed our defence and security cooperation positively. India and Kyrgyz Republic have a shared approach to developments in Afghanistan," the EAM said.
Jaishankar also gifted Indian epics and classics to the Manas-Mahatma Gandhi library in Bishkek.
Jaishankar arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Sunday. He is also slated to call on the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov.
"Delighted to arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of FM Ruslan Kazakbaev. Looking forward to a productive visit", EAM Jaishankar tweeter earlier.
From October 11-12, EAM will be in Kazakhstan to attend the 6th Ministerial meeting of the Conference of Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Nur-Sultan. Kazakhstan is the current Chair and initiator of the CICA Forum. EAM is also expected to hold bilateral talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan and call on the Kazakh leadership.
The EAM later will be visiting Armenia from 12-13 October. This will be the first-ever visit of an External Affairs Minister of India to independent Armenia. He will have meetings with his Armenian counterpart as well as call on the Prime Minister and President of the National Assembly of Armenia.
The minister's visit to the three countries will be a continuation of our increased engagement with countries in our ‘extended neighbourhood’ and will provide an opportunity to review the bilateral ties with these countries as well as share views on developments in the region, a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
