The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that its chairman, Almaz Baketaev, met Reserve Bank of India governor Sanjay Malhotra in Washington on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings to discuss expanding cooperation between the two central banks, with a focus on developing national payment systems and options for their integration. Baketaev linked the work to the increasing digitisation of banking services and the need to create more convenient payment conditions for citizens of both countries. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued active bilateral cooperation.