This article covers cultural relations between India and the Kyrgyz Republic, the events, educational links and youth exchanges that connect the two countries, and the Indian community living there. The information comes from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of June 2026.

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, India has historically had close contacts with Central Asia, especially the countries that were part of the Ancient Silk Route, including the Kyrgyz Republic. The brief also states that there is appreciation of Indian culture in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Cultural agreements and meetings

A Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-26 was signed in June 2022. It was signed during the visit of Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, at her meeting with the then Kyrgyz Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy, Mr. Azamat Zhamankulov.

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy hosted the 1st India-Central Asia Culture Ministers' Meeting through video conferencing on 3 April 2023. The Culture Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Maksutov Altynbek Askarovich, participated virtually.

Libraries, language and heritage

On 12 May 2021, the Mahatma Gandhi Manas Library was officially dedicated at a ceremony at the Manas-Chingiz Aitmatov National Academy in Bishkek. During the official visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in October 2021, books were gifted to the library and a Dictionary of Common Words in Hindi and Kyrgyz languages was unveiled.

An unveiling ceremony of the Glass Box for the conservation of the reconstructed 8th century statue of Gautam Buddha was held on 8 July 2024 at the National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek. The Glass Box, along with its pedestal, was gifted by the Government of India.

Festivals and performances

Delegations of Kyrgyz artisans and artists participated in the Surajkund Mela in February 2023, 2024 and 2025.

An 8-member Bollywood Dance Group from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), led by Dr. Rekha Mehra, performed in Bishkek and Osh from 31 January 2024 to 5 February 2024.

The brief's section on cultural relations also records that the Kyrgyz Republic hosted the XVII International Festival of traditional culture and crafts "OIMO-2023". It was held from 27 to 30 July 2023 at Bishkek, from 1 to 3 August 2023 at Tamchy village, and from 3 to 6 August 2023 at Cholpon-Ata city.

Youth exchanges and training

A 20-member youth delegation from Kyrgyzstan visited India in March and April 2025. The visit was part of the fourth Central Asian Youth Delegation, under the rubric of the India-Central Asia Summit held in January 2022.

Young people in uniform have also travelled between the two countries. A delegation from the Kyrgyz National Military Lyceum, comprising one officer and five cadets, took part in the Republic Day Camp in New Delhi, which the brief dates 15-30 January 2025 and 15-30 January 2026. An NCC delegation from India, also of one officer and five cadets, visited the Kyrgyz Republic in 2024, 2025 and 2026 as part of the Youth Exchange Programme.

Seven diplomats from the Kyrgyz Republic took part in a customised course for young diplomats from the countries of Central Asia, held from 14 to 25 October 2024 at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS). India offered this course at the First India-Central Asia Summit, held virtually on 27 January 2022.

Indian community

As of the MEA brief of June 2026, there are about 250 NRIs and PIOs in the Kyrgyz Republic, apart from an estimated 16,000 students. The brief does not mention ICCR scholarships for Kyrgyz students or give figures for tourism between the two countries.