India - Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was the Guest of Honour at India's 60th Republic Day Parade. Accompanied by a high level delegation and a group of businessmen and industrialists, Mr Nazarbayev had talks with the Indian President, Vice President, External Affairs Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chairperson of United Progressive Alliance.
 
The visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm bilateral ties at the highest political level and to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest in the backdrop of friendly relations and cooperation. It was also an occasion to reaffirm the commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and diversify areas of cooperation.

Strongly condemning the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, President Nazarbayev reiterated the need for intensifying global cooperation in combating international terrorism. He also conveyed assurance that Kazakhstan stood firmly with India in dealing with the scourge of global terrorism. Both sides called for early conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.

India appreciated Kazakh support in the meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group which enabled India to resume full civil nuclear cooperation with the international community, thereby opening immense possibilities of cooperation in nuclear energy sector, including uranium mining. The two Governments welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and National Atomic Company Kazatomprom JSC and recommended early conclusion of an Inter Governmental Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

The Governments expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Agreement between ONGC Mittal Energy Ltd. and National Company KazMunaiGaz JSC in respect of Satpayev Block and underlined the need for expeditious conclusion of the contract. Kazakhstan ranks high in securing India's energy security and India hoped that the conclusion of the Agreement would start mutually beneficial cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.

Both sides agreed that the trade volume between the two countries was below potential and urged the Governments and business enterprises to address the issue. A joint study by designated agencies of the two Governments and apex business chambers was recommended with a view to identify products and projects, which would deepen economic engagement. President Nazarbayev welcomed signing of Bilateral Protocol of Accession of Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization and thanked India for support on this issue.
Recalling their historical roots, both expressed confidence that conclusion of Agreements under consideration, highlighting the historical and cultural legacy that the two nations share, would facilitate exchange of artistes, intellectuals and philosophers, academics and students and build vibrant relations at people to people level. Both decided to organize Days of India in Kazakhstan and Days of Kazakhstan in India in the near future to foster and nurture cultural and civilisational linkages, joint study of common historical heritage and developing the sites existing in India and Kazakhstan to attract tourists.

Referring to discussions that were held during the visit of the Vice President of India to Kazakhstan in April 2008, wherein agriculture was identified as a promising area of cooperation, the two sides recommended signing of Agreement on Cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors as well as explored the possibility of collaboration in research and development activities and the setting up of a Regional Research and Training facility in Kazakhstan catering to the Central Asian region under the framework of the proposed Agreement.
 
India conveyed that it holds Kazakhstan in high esteem and appreciates its overall development in a relatively short period of time and attributed it to the far-sighted vision and unflinching commitment of President Nazarbayev in nation-building. The President of Kazakhstan complimented the impressive achievements of the Indian Republic in its socio-economic development, active policy in the international arena, strengthening of peace, stability and mutual understanding between peoples, and its ever-increasing political, economic and scientific potential. India-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation has made good progress in establishing and enhancing trade, economic and cultural cooperation. India proposed setting up a gas based fertilizer plant and an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Kazakhstan. Feasibility studies on the two projects are expected to be undertaken immediately and pursued by both for implementation.

Sharing the view that relations between the two countries had entered a new phase and recognizing the vast array of existing areas of cooperation, including the critical areas of energy and food security, and the immense possibilities that existed for their expansion, both agreed to develop a strategic partnership based on the principles of sovereignty and equality, which would encompass all spheres, political, economic, science and technology, military and technical cooperation, counter-terrorism mechanism, education and human resources development.
 
India conveyed appreciation for the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) initiative of President Nazarbayev, which is emerging as an important multilateral forum fostering peace and stability in Asia. India also appreciated other initiatives aimed at reinforcing peace, stability and mutual understanding on the Asian Continent. In this context, it was befitting to the status of Kazakhstan to have been elected the Chair the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010.
 
The Extradition Treaty which underlined the commitment of the Governments' law enforcement agencies to develop mutually beneficial cooperation, render required assistance and support to each other was welcomed, as also the diversification of areas of cooperation in the fields of Health and Medicine, Science and Technology, Space Activities, Information Technology and Education are actively being pursued.
 
Both nations reiterated their call for strengthening the UN role in maintaining equitable relations among members of the international community and ensuring stability and security in the world. President Nazarbayev reiterated Kazakh support for India's candidature as Permanent Member of the UN Security Council. India conveyed its support for Kazakhstan's candidature for the membership of ASEAN Regional Forum as and when the expansion of the Forum is considered by the member states.

India welcomed the decision of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for an enhanced role for Observers and expressed interest in greater participation in SCO activities, especially in the activities of the Regional Anti Terrorist Structure (RATS), SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan and SCO Business Council.

Both countries expressed concern over the deterioration of the global financial and economic situation and its adverse impact on their economies. They stressed the need for coordinated actions of the international community to overcome the economic crisis. The need for shaping a new global political and economic order based on mutual respect for interests, display of tolerance for national, religious and cultural traditions of all was underlined. Such a new global order would contribute to enhancing stability and security, achieving universal equality and cooperation in the world.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies)