India and Kyrgyzstan have strengthened their cultural and academic partnership by inaugurating the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata” in Bishkek. Established by the Manas National Academy in collaboration with the Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi, the centre aims to promote comparative research on the Indian epic Mahabharata and Kyrgyzstan’s national epic Manas.
The centre will encourage interdisciplinary research, cultural dialogue, academic exchanges, and collaboration in history, literature, philosophy, and international relations. It also seeks to strengthen humanitarian diplomacy and deepen civilizational understanding between the two countries.
During the event, trilateral cooperation agreements were signed between the Manas National Academy, CSIR, New Delhi, and seven leading universities in Kyrgyzstan to promote joint research, faculty exchanges, and educational programmes. A major highlight was the release of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic Manas, translated by Prof. Hem Chandra Pande and Prof. Ramakant Dwivedi, making Kyrgyz literary heritage more accessible to Indian readers.
The initiative marks a significant step in strengthening India-Kyrgyzstan cultural ties and highlights the role of shared civilizational heritage in fostering international cooperation and academic engagement.
