New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) Kyrghyzstan Foreign Affairs Minister Ednan Karabaev today called on Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni and stressed the need to promote bilateral cooperation in the tourism and culture sectors.

''India can offer training to students from his country in the tourism and hospitality sector and both the countries can sign documents for strengthening bilateral cooperation in this regard,'' Mr Karabaev said.

The visiting dignitary also said there was a necessity to promote tourist traffic from India to Kyrgyzstan.

Mr Karabaev sought India's cooperation for the setting up of a Centre of Hindi Studies in the premises of Diplomatic Academy in Kyrgyzstan.

Showing keen interest in the proposed Library Mission in India and in the work of restoration of cultural and historical monuments, he proposed that both the countries should launch a joint archaeological expedition either in India or Kyrgyzstan to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of archaeology.

He said his country is keen to organise 'Days of India in Kyrgyzstan' and expressed hope that both the countries would sign a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) soon.

Ms Soni said India and Kyrghyzstan have the potential to further promote tourism bilaterally. She said exchange of writers, authors, academicians, travel writers, tour operators between the two countries would promote a better understanding between the people of the two countries.

She suggested that the people of Kyrgyzstan can take advantage of beach tourism, wellness tourism and shopping festivals in India.

Ms Soni said Kyrgyzstan could also utilise India's expertise in the library sector, particularly in building book banks.

UNI SKS SHB HS1921