India and Kyrgyzstan have jointly inaugurated the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata” in Bishkek to strengthen academic collaboration, cultural diplomacy and research on the shared civilizational heritage of both countries.

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• India and Kyrgyzstan jointly launched the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata”.
• The centre was inaugurated in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
• An Indian delegation visited Kyrgyzstan from 4–7 July 2026 for the inauguration.
• The centre has been established through cooperation between the Manas National Academy and the Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi.
• The initiative aims to promote comparative civilizational studies.
• Research will focus on the Manas and Mahabharata epic traditions.
• The centre will also encourage studies on history, culture and intercultural dialogue.
• The first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic Manas was released during the event.
• The Hindi translation was prepared by Prof. Hem Chandra Pande and Prof. Ramakant Dwivedi.
• The translation is based on the Russian poetic adaptation by Mar Baizhiev.
• Trilateral cooperation agreements were signed with seven universities in Kyrgyzstan.
• The initiative will strengthen academic exchange, research collaboration and cultural diplomacy between the two countries.
• Manas is one of the world’s longest oral epics and a symbol of Kyrgyz national identity.
• The Mahabharata is one of India’s two major Sanskrit epics and an important civilizational text.
• The centre is expected to enhance India–Kyrgyzstan cultural and educational cooperation and promote Eurasian civilizational dialogue.