Article Posted on : - Sep 10, 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): India has expressed its willingness to support Kyrgyzstan in strengthening its defence and security apparatus by enhancing training and other exchanges between their armed forces and look at the possibilities of military technical cooperation with it.

The matter was discussed here on Friday at a meeting between Defence Minister A K Antony and his Kyrgyz counterpart Major General Abibilla Kudaberdiev who is on a three-day visit to India.

"The two leaders discussed the enhancement of training and other exchanges between their armed forces and possibilities of military technical cooperation, including defence research and development," Defence Ministry officials said here.

"India has assured its willingness to support Kyrgyzstan in strengthening its defence and security apparatus," they said.

The issue of cooperation in training their troops for UN peace-keeping operations was also discussed in the meeting, along with discussions on matters related to global and regional security.

Noting that there is a need for all countries to fight terrorism with unity, the Kyrgyz Defence Minister conveyed his condolence for the people killed in the terrorist attack outside Delhi High Court.

Leading a three-member defence delegation, Kudaberdiev visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) and other defence institutions in Pune on Thursday.