Kazakhstan is actively pursuing closer ties with India, recognizing it as a key strategic partner in South Asia. This was underscored during the recent visit of Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu to India, where he met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subramanyam Jaishankar. Discussions centered on bolstering trade and economic cooperation, with a particular focus on creating favorable conditions for businesses in both nations.
Nurtleu emphasized the existing potential for significant growth in bilateral trade, aiming to triple it from the current $1 billion in 2024 to $3 billion in the near future. He highlighted a 41% increase in Indian investments in Kazakhstan's economy, which have exceeded $525 million. This, he stated, is "only the beginning," signaling Kazakhstan's eagerness to attract further Indian investment. To this end, he invited leading Indian companies to participate in joint projects across various sectors, including industry, energy, transport, and logistics.
Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a reliable supplier of strategic resources, including energy resources, rare earth metals, and agricultural products, within the framework of India's "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) initiative. Simultaneously, Kazakhstan is keen to leverage India's expertise in food processing technologies to enhance its own agricultural sector.
Transport and logistics connectivity have emerged as a key area of focus. Nurtleu stressed the importance of developing international corridors, particularly the North-South route and the Middle Corridor, inviting Indian participation in joint infrastructure projects such as multimodal routes, fiber-optic lines, and regional energy grids. These projects aim to improve connectivity and facilitate smoother trade between the two nations.
Opportunities in digital technologies are also being actively explored. Kazakhstan has witnessed a remarkable twelve-fold increase in the export of digital solutions over the past three years, reaching $690 million. Nurtleu has called for deeper cooperation in IT, startups, research, and knowledge exchange to further boost the digital economy in both countries.
Tourism is another promising area of bilateral cooperation. In 2024, the number of Indian tourists visiting Kazakhstan nearly doubled, reaching 150,000. This surge was attributed to the introduction of a 14-day visa-free regime and the launch of direct flights between Almaty and New Delhi. Kazakhstan has expressed its readiness to support the opening of hotels and restaurants offering Indian cuisine in its key cities to cater to the growing influx of Indian tourists.
Over 600 Indian companies are already operating in Kazakhstan, making significant contributions to sectors such as pharmaceuticals, mining, and food production. Kazakhstan offers a relatively attractive destination for foreign direct investment, adhering to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. The government has established various mechanisms to attract and support foreign investors, including the Council for Attracting Investments and Kazakh Invest.
To solidify their commitment to enhanced cooperation, the ministries of both countries have signed a Cooperation Plan for 2025-2027, outlining priority areas for future collaboration. This plan, along with ongoing dialogues and initiatives, reflects the mutual desire to deepen the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and India, fostering economic growth and regional stability. Kazakhstan views India as a reliable political, trade, and economic partner in South Asia, with relations steadily developing in a constructive and forward-looking manner.
