India and Kyrgyzstan Launch Civilizational Research Centre to Deepen Cultural and Academic Ties

In a significant step towards strengthening civilizational and academic engagement between India and Central Asia, India and Kyrgyzstan have jointly inaugurated the International Civilizational Research Center “Manas and Mahabharata” in Bishkek. The initiative aims to promote comparative studies of the two countries’ epic traditions while expanding scholarly cooperation, cultural exchanges and research on their shared civilizational heritage.

The centre was inaugurated during the visit of an Indian academic delegation to Kyrgyzstan from July 4 to 7, in collaboration with the Manas National Academy and the Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi. The event also marked the release of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz national epic, Manas, making one of Central Asia’s most celebrated literary works accessible to millions of Hindi readers.

The newly established research centre will serve as a dedicated platform for interdisciplinary studies on the Indian epic Mahabharata and the Kyrgyz epic Manas. Researchers from both countries will undertake collaborative projects on comparative literature, philosophy, history, folklore, linguistics, ethics and cultural traditions, while also facilitating academic exchanges, conferences, publications and translation initiatives.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, India’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan highlighted that both Manas and the Mahabharata occupy a unique place in the cultural memory of their respective civilizations. While Manas, preserved through generations of oral storytellers known as Manaschis, represents the national identity and historical consciousness of the Kyrgyz people, the Mahabharata has profoundly influenced Indian philosophy, ethics, governance and social thought for centuries.

The ambassador noted that despite emerging from different historical and geographical contexts, the two epics share enduring themes of courage, leadership, sacrifice, justice and the triumph of righteousness. Their comparative study, he said, offers valuable insights into the moral and cultural values that continue to shape societies across Asia.

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the first Hindi translation of the Manas epic, translated by Indian scholars Prof. Ramakant Dwivedi and Prof. Hem Chandra Pande. The translation is expected to open new avenues for research and literary appreciation while fostering greater people-to-people connections between India and Kyrgyzstan.

The inauguration also witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between the Manas National Academy, CSIR and seven leading universities in Kyrgyzstan. These partnerships are expected to encourage joint research programmes, faculty exchanges, student mobility and collaborative publications in the fields of civilizational studies and cultural diplomacy.

The initiative forms part of India’s broader outreach to strengthen cultural and educational ties with Central Asian nations. By establishing institutional mechanisms for academic cooperation, both countries aim to preserve their rich literary traditions while encouraging dialogue between scholars working on ancient civilizations, epic literature and shared cultural heritage.

Officials believe the International Civilizational Research Center will emerge as a leading hub for Eurasian civilizational studies, contributing to greater mutual understanding and reinforcing the longstanding historical links between India and Kyrgyzstan through scholarship, research and cultural exchange.