India has assured its willingness to support Kyrgyzstan in strengthening its defence and security apparatus. The matter came up at a meeting between the Defence Minister, A.K. Antony and his Kyrgyzstan counterpart Major General Abibilla Kudaberdiev here recently.

They discussed the enhancement of training and other exchanges between the armed forces of both countries and also possibilities of military technical cooperation, including defence research and development. Cooperation in training for UN peacekeeping operations was specifically discussed. The two leaders also discussed various global and regional security issues.

The Kyrgyzstan Defence Minister conveyed condolences for the loss of life in the terrorist attack in Delhi on September 7, 2011. He noted that there is need for all the countries to unify forces to fight terrorism jointly.

At the meeting the visiting dignitary was accompanied by a three-member delegation, while the Indian side included the Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister Dr V.K. Saraswat, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt General A.S. Lamba and other high ranking officials.