Bishkek, Nov 06: Defence Minister George Fernandes today promised to step up cooperation with the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan in combating terrorism. "The Taliban and al-Qaeda have regrouped and there is no sign that they have peaceful intentions -- both our countries face identical threats," Fernandes told journalists during a short tour of ex-Soviet Central Asia.
Topping Fernandes' agenda was the possibility of India providing this mountain republic's military with technological help and training in mountain combat methods.
Kyrgyzstan experienced sporadic incursions from nearby Afghanistan during the Taliban rule.
These fizzled out when Bishkek joined the United States' anti-terrorism campaign, letting us forces set up an airbase near the capital, but Washington has continued to warn of the possibility of future attacks.
Fernandes was expected to hold talks in Kyrgyzstan's neighbour Kazakhstan tomorrow. Bureau Report