Indian Defence Minister is embarking on a four-day visit to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyztan from Wednesday as part of efforts to streamline the supply of spares for frontline Russian weaponry in use in the Indian Armed forces

Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes is embarking on a four-day visit to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyztan from Wednesday as part of efforts to streamline the supply of spares for frontline Russian weaponry in use in the Indian Armed forces and to conclude a number of Defence cooperation agreements. Heading a high level defence delegation, which will include Defence Secretary Ajay Prasad and a number of Army, Naval and Air Force top brass, he will reach Almaty the Kazakhstan capital on Wednesday. After talks with his Kazakh counterpart and meeting with the President, Fernandes is likely to sign a number of Defence cooperation agreements with the country. He will go to Kyrgyztan on Thursday for a night halt. According to Defence Ministry officials, the Minister's visit to the Central Asian countries was part of move by India to forge closer cooperation with the region. It comes close on the heels of his recent tour of Ukraine and Czech Republic. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his address to armed forces' commanders on Saturday had clearly stated that Pakistan 's "implied claim" to Afghanistan and Central Asia as an expansion of its strategic space was not acceptable to India . He had said in India 's larger regional interests including energy security, Afghanistan and Central Asia were of great importance to us.