A visit to Central Asia’s largest country by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the relationship between India and Kazakhstan to the next level, culminating in an overarching plan to boost bilateral security, economic and energy ties. The two countries signed five agreements, including a pact on enhancing defence and military-technical cooperation. The pact seeks to broaden the scope for bilateral defence cooperation and envisaged a regular exchange of visits between armed forces of both countries, joint military exercises and cooperation in the area of UN peacekeeping forces. A treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons between India and Kazakhstan was also signed.
Economic ties
The discussions between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbyev in Kazakth capital Astana July 8 focused on upgrading the economic relationship between the two countries. In this context, PM Modi said that India and Kazakhstan are “made for each other” as he pitched for greater involvement of Kazakh enterprises in the ‘Make in India’ mission. The two sides decided to create a Joint Business Council, an important step that would hopefully upscale trade and investment between the two countries. The signing of a business agreement between FICCI and Chamber of Foreign Service of Kazakhstan would help in promoting business linkages between both countries. The two sides acknowledged the setting up of a joint study group between India and Eurasian Economic Union that was established to study the feasibility of a Free Trade Agreement. Infrastructure development will be an important focus area, with the two sides signing a memorandum on technical cooperation in the development of railways.
Energy ties
In a set of steps taken to enhance energy cooperation, the two countries signed a pact for renewal of long term supply of natural uranium to India. The formal commencement of drilling the first exploratory well in the Satpayev block, in which ONGC has stakes, underlines the potential of collaboration in the hydrocarbon sector. Based on a joint feasibility study, the two sides agreed to explore the transportation of oil and gas through pipeline or LNG from Kazakhstan to India.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
In ConversationJuly 26, 2024India-Italy defence collaboration can extend to third countries: Anil Wadhwa- In ConversationJuly 23, 2024Italy views India as a key partner in Indo-Pacific: Vani Rao
- DiplomacyJune 29, 2024First BRICS unveils a roadmap for boosting tourism among emerging economies
- India and the WorldJune 11, 2024On Day 1, Jaishankar focuses on resolving standoff with China
