During her visit, MoS Meenakshi Lekhi interacted with both countries’ leadership at various levels

India's efforts to strengthen its strategic ties with the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, both bilaterally and in the context of the India-Central Asia Summit, have received a push with the recent visit of Minister of State (MoS) Meenakshi Lekhi.

The Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture was on her first official visit to the two countries.

During her visit to the Kyrgyz Republic from June 9 to 12, MoS Lekhi met with Chairman of the Kyrgyz Republic's Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Zhaparov and reiterated India's resolve to be a trusted partner in the Kyrgyz Republic's developmental path, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

MoS Lekhi took note of the situation and prospects of bilateral ties during her discussion with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, as well as exchanged opinions on regional and international topics of relevance, the ministry added.

In her meeting with the Kyrgyz Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy, Azamat Zhamankulov, the MoS discussed measures to strengthen India-Kyrgyz Republic’s cultural cooperation and signed a bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2022-2026.

Providing details about her visit to Kazakhstan, MEA said MoS Lekhi met with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin, and Minister of Culture and Sports Dauren Abayev.

She signed a bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme for 2022–25.

She also took part in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav festivities in both countries, which served as a warm-up for the International Day of Yoga. In Bishkek, Cholpon-Ata (Issyk-Kul Lake), and Almaty, the MoS communicated with the Indian community, particularly students.