Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Tension
Source :The Hindu
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Why in News ?

A ceasefire on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan largely held following a day of intense fighting between the two ex-Soviet Central Asian neighbours that killed 39 people and wounded more than 175.

Key Facts

• Both nations have claimed the area around the water supply facility in Kok-Tash is a dispute for long years to when they were both part of the Soviet Union.
• The worst outbreak of hostilities between the two countries since they gained independence in the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
• A large part of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border remains unmarked, fuelling fierce disputes over water, land and pastures.
• Recently the issue escalated when Tajik officials attempted to mount surveillance cameras to monitor the water supply facility.
  • The tensions over water distribution, and Kyrgyz residents opposed the move.

What is the dispute ?

Both are the part of erstwhile Soviet Union.

• The conflict reportedly began due to a water dispute between the two Central Asian countries.
• The fighting is taking place on the disputed section of the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border that trigger with the dissatisfaction of the local population with the installation of surveillance cameras.
• The dispute stops when ceasefire agreement signed by both.
• Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan relations have in recent years been tense during Refugees and anti-government forces in Tajikistan have crossed into Kyrgyzstan several times.
• In mid-1995, Kyrgyzstani forces had the responsibility of sealing a small portion of the Tajikistan border near Panj from Tajikistani rebel forces.

Impact on India

It has two part. One is relation between India and Kyrgyzstan the second is relation between India and Tajikistan.

1. India and Kyrgyzstan
   • Since the independence of Kyrgyz Republic on 31 August 1991 India was among the first to establish diplomatic relations in 1992 with the resident Mission of India was set up in 1994.
   • India-Kyrgyz trade was US$38.53 million in 2014–15. India’s exports to Kyrgyzstan was US$37.76 million whereas Kyrgyz exports to India was US$0.77 million.
   • In 1995, India had extended a US$5 million line of credit to Kyrgyzstan a post independence aid.
   • 16,000 Indian students are studying medicine in various medical institutions across the country.
2. India and Tajikistan
   • India has set up its first overseas military base Farkhor in Tajikistan.
   • India’s exports to Tajikistan were valued at US$6.2 million and its imports at US$5.89 million.
   • India has established a military hospital in southern Tajikistan.
   • India’s military presence and activities have been significant, beginning with India’s extensive support to the anti-Taliban Afghan Northern Alliance (ANA).

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