• India and Kyrgyzstan began Joint Special Forces exercise ‘Khanjar’ in Kyrgyzstan from March 10. It will conclude on March 23.

• This annual exercise, which began in 2011, underscores the strong strategic partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan, with the venue alternating between the two countries each year. 

• The previous edition of Khanjar exercise was conducted in India in January 2024.

• The Indian contingent comprises elite troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Kyrgyzstan contingent is represented by the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade. 

• The aim of the exercise is to exchange experiences and best practices in counter terrorism and special forces operations in urban and mountainous high altitude terrain scenarios. 

• The exercise will also focus on developing advanced special forces skills of sniping, complex building intervention and mountain craft.

India-Kyrgyzstan Relations

• Historically, India has had close contacts with Central Asia, especially countries which were part of the ancient Silk Route, including Kyrgyzstan. 

• During the Soviet era, India and Kyrgyzstan had limited political, economic and cultural contacts. After the independence of Kyrgyzstan on August 31, 1991, India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations on March 18, 1992.

• Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the two countries have signed several framework agreements, including on culture, trade and economic cooperation, civil aviation, investment promotion and protection, avoidance of double taxation, consular convention, etc.

• India and Kyrgyzstan established a ‘Strategic Partnership’ in 2015.

• The India-Kyrgyz Republic Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was set up in 1992.

• A five year roadmap to enhance trade and investments was signed between India and Kyrgyzstan in June 2019.

• India-Kyrgyz Republic Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IKIGC) was set up in 1992. 

• Bilateral trade during the year 2023 was $96 million. India’s exports to Kyrgyzstan were $88.40 million, while India’s imports were $7.50 million.

• India’s exports comprise sugar & sugar confectionery, pharmaceutical products, electric machinery & equipment, articles of clothing & clothing accessories (knitted, crocheted or crocheted), organic chemical compounds & nuclear reactors.

• Imports to India include oil-seeds, fruits, medicinal plants, straw, fodder, mineral fuel, oil and products of their distillation, vegetables, tubers etc.

• Bilateral cooperation between the two countries has steadily increased in recent years. Agreement on defence cooperation, signed in July 2015, has been an important milestone that has laid the framework for defence cooperation between the two sides.

• Joint Special Forces Exercise Khanjar has now become an annual affair.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)