Jaishankar, Kyrgyzstan President discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation in bank, energy sectors

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on President of Kyrgyzstan Syr Zhaparov on Wednesday and discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation in banking, defense and energy sectors.

Jaishankar was accorded a warm welcome here on Wednesday as he arrived in Kyrgyzstan on a two-day visit during which he will meet country's leership and attend a conclave of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

"Delighted to call on President Syr Zhaparov of Kyrgyz Republic. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed cooperation in banking, energy, health and pharma, defense, agriculture and investments," he posted on X.

minister conveyed India’s support to Kyrgyzstan for successful Presidency of SCO Council of Hes of Government.

Kyrgyzstan is hosting SCO Council of Hes of Government (CHG) meeting in its capacity as current chair of grouping.

Jaishankar also met his counterpart from Kyrgyzstan Zheenbek Kulubaev and discussed a range of issues.

"Good to see my old friend FM Zheenbek Kulubaev in Bishkek. Spoke about strengning India-Kyrgyz cooperation in fields of tre and economy, development projects, health and education. Also exchanged views on Afghanistan, West Asia and connectivity," he wrote on X.

Jaishankar will represent Prime Minister Modi at SCO Council of Hes of Government (CHG) meeting.

"Look forward to productive exchanges at SCO; meeting Kyrgyz leership and taking forward our bilateral agenda," he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi are also expected to join SCO meeting in Kyrgyz capital city of Bishkek.

According to Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar will meet with his counterparts from or SCO member states and call on country's top leership.

SCO grouping comprises China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Founded in Shanghai in June 2001, SCO is an intergovernmental organisation. Since its inception, SCO has mainly focused on regional security issues and its fight against regional terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism. PTI MRJ MRJ