In recent news, the Defence Minister of India convened bilateral discussions with his counterpart from the Republic of Kazakhstan in New Delhi. This meeting, which follows their last rendezvous in Moscow during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defense Ministers’ Assembly in September 2020, maneuvered over multiple aspects of defense collaboration.
Highlights of the Bilateral Dialogue
The defence ministers agreed on exploring potential defense industry collaborations benefitting both nations. They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, such as through training, defense exercises, and capacity building.
Kazakhstan expressed gratitude towards India for allowing Kazakh troops to be deployed as part of the Indian battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNIFIL was established by the United Nations Security Council in 1978 with the main objective to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, uphold international peace and security, and support the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area.
The ministers also assessed the annual joint military exercise ‘KAZIND.
The Indo-Kazakh Defence Alliance: A Closer Look
The Indo-Kazakh defense cooperation operates under the framework of an agreement on ‘Defense and Military Technical Cooperation’ inked in July 2015 during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Kazakhstan. This arrangement espouses joint training, exercises, military-technical cooperation, UN peacekeeping, and exchange of intelligence.
Significance of Kazakhstan to India
Three key factors underscore the strategic importance of Kazakhstan to India: its geostrategic location, economic potential, particularly in energy resources, and its multi-ethnic and secular structure. Positioned geographically between Russia and Asia, with extensive borders with China, Kazakhstan holds immense strategic significance.
Moreover, Kazakhstan’s geopolitical stature can aid India in achieving a geostrategic counterbalance with China, particularly considering China’s rapid economic expansions in the region through the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
India – Kazakhstan: A Historical Perspective
The relationship between India and Kazakhstan traces back over 2000 years, characterized by constant trade and cultural exchanges. India was one of the first nations to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence, establishing diplomatic relations in February 1992.
Cooperation at Multilateral Forums
India and Kazakhstan actively cooperate under the umbrella of multilateral forums including CICA, SCO and the UN organizations. Kazakhstan backs India’s permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and has pledged support for India’s non-permanent membership in 2021-22.
Trade and Economic Relations
The India-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), established in 1993, is a primary bilateral institutional mechanism for boosting trade, economic, scientific, technological, industrial, and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
Space Cooperation
In the realm of space cooperation, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched “Al-Farabi-1”, a 1.7 kg Technology Demonstrator Nano Satellite built by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University along with 103 other satellites in 2017.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Kazakhstan supported India in obtaining an India-specific exemption to enable civil nuclear cooperation with Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) countries in 2008.
Consular Cooperation
India and Kazakhstan share an agreement on visa-free entry for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders. Additionally, both countries have introduced electronic visa facilities for travelers from each other’s states.
Future Prospects
Considering its strategic position in central Asia, Kazakhstan holds substantial importance for India. The relationship with Nur-Sultan allows New Delhi to bypass Pakistan and unstable Afghanistan, thus reaching a resource-rich region that complements India’s developing economy. India needs to utilize its economic tools more efficiently to foster closer ties with Central Asia.