India-Kyrgyzstan Strengthen Ties with New Investment Treaty and Anti-Terror Cooperation
- EAM Jaishankar thanked Kyrgyzstan for its strong support in countering terrorism and discussed boosting cooperation across key sectors.
- India and Kyrgyzstan ratified a new Bilateral Investment Treaty to strengthen and secure investment ties.
- Both countries agreed to deepen financial cooperation, including direct banking links and investment growth.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar expressed gratitude to Kyrgyzstan for its unwavering support and solidarity in countering terrorism during a high-level meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Affairs Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev Moldokanovich. The two ministers discussed ways to further deepen cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan across multiple sectors, including banking, education, energy, health, connectivity, and capacity building.
Following the meeting, EAM Jaishankar took to X (formerly Twitter) stating, “A productive meeting with FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic. Thanked him for their support and solidarity in countering terrorism. Discussed our cooperation in banking, education, energy, health, connectivity and capacity building. Today’s signing of Programme of Cooperation is a step forward in deepening our bilateral ties”.
Kulubaev was among five Central Asian foreign ministers attending the two-day 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi, highlighting India’s strong focus on enhancing regional partnerships for anti-terrorism and de-radicalisation. The other dignitaries included Bakhtiyor Saidov (Uzbekistan), Rashid Meredov (Turkmenistan), Sirojiddin Muhriddin (Tajikistan), and Murat Nurtleu (Kazakhstan).
In a significant development earlier on Thursday, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kulubaev signed the Protocol and exchanged the Instrument of Ratification for the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Kyrgyzstan. Originally signed on June 14, 2019, in Bishkek, the updated BIT officially came into force on Thursday, superseding the earlier agreement from May 2000. This treaty aims to provide a stable framework protecting investments and fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations.
A statement from India’s Ministry of Finance underlined that the BIT is a milestone in strengthening bilateral economic relations by promoting a secure and predictable investment climate. It balances investor rights with the sovereign regulatory powers of both countries, reinforcing a mutual commitment to transparency and resilience in cross-border investments.
During the bilateral discussions within the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Central Asia-India Dialogue, both countries explored prospects for deeper Kyrgyz-Indian collaboration in financial and investment sectors. Particular emphasis was placed on establishing direct correspondent banking relations between Kyrgyzstan and India, alongside expanding investment cooperation in priority areas.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry concluded that the talks confirmed both parties’ mutual readiness to enhance cooperation between their financial institutions, signaling a promising future for bilateral economic and strategic partnership.
