Twenty-Five Indian soldiers have been flown to
Kyrgyzstan where their adaptability to high altitude, dry and low on oxygen
climate will be gauged by the scientists from the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO). The research will be carried out at
Kyrgyz-Indian Mountain Biomedical Research Centre, inaugurated by defence
minister AK Antony on his recent visit to the country.
“DRDO has already been conducting research on
high-altitude base agriculture, plantation, animal husbandry, poultry and food
processing. This will be a good opportunity that could help us understand a
probable battle environment and plan our line of action if the need be,”
government sources said.
A record of the physical and biological parameters
of the soldiers will be maintained while conducting during different physical
activities like running, climbing and so on.
The project has been jointly set up by DRDO and the
Kyrgyz National Centre for Cardiology and Internal Medicine at the cost of Rs.
6 crore. Senior scientists like DRDO
Chief Dr. VK Saraswat and Chief Controller also accompanied the defence
minister to the opening of the centre.
TAR is a plateau and is also known as the “Roof of
the World”. Sharing border with the Ladakh region, TAR is situated at a height
of over 4,000 metres above the sea level. The climate is marked with low
temperatures, less rainfall, thin atmosphere, long hours of sunshine and
intense solar radiation.
Kyrgyzstan and TAR has similar climate. The move is
also seen among the experts as India’s way to counter Chinese ‘String of
Pearls’ strategy to encircle India.
“Central Asian countries are important for us for
geo-strategic reasons. China is moving fast to expand its sphere of influence,”
the sources added. India has now started to focus on building up ties based on
its soft power.
India, which happens to be the largest contributor
of troops to the UN peacekeeping missions, will also train Kyrgyzstan forces in
the operations.
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