Kyrgyzstan

Why in news?

• India extends USD 200 million Line of Credit to support development projects in Kyrgyzstan.

About Kyrgyzstan:

• Kyrgyzstan is a country in Central Asia. It's the second smallest of the five Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Part of Soviet Union occupied, Kyrgyzstan attained sovereignty as a nation-state only after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• It is bordered by four countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west and southwest, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east. Its capital and largest city is Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan’s strategic significance:

• For China:
  • This landlocked Central Asian country that shares a long border with China.
  • It is located at the centre of Eurasia, is a vital link in its Belt and Road Initiative.
  • China has built road and rail networks with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
• For Russia
  • Russia considers the region as its backyard and plays hard politics to retain its influence.
  • Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
  • CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states that was created in 2002.
  • Its aim is to ensure the collective defence of any member that faces external aggression.
• For USA:
  • During the early stages of the Afghan war, the USA had used Kyrgyzstan for refuelling and other logistical purposes.

India-Kyrgyzstan

• India has enjoyed strong bilateral ties with Kyrgyzstan since 1991.
• India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Kyrgyzstan in 1992.
• Since 1992, the two countries have many agreements, including on Culture, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Investment Promotion and Protection, Avoidance of Double Taxation etc.
• In 2011, the joint ‘Khanjar’ series of exercises was started.
• Indian diaspora in Kyrgyzstan- about 9,000 Indian students are studying medicine in various medical institutions in the country. Also, there are many businessmen living in Kyrgyzstan who are involved in trade and several other services there.
• The Kyrgyz leaderships have been largely supportive of India’s stand on Kashmir.
• They also support India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UNSC.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following cities in Central Asia is nearest to the equator?

(a) Ashgabat

(b) Bishkek

(c) Astana

(d) Tashkent

Answer