Kazakhstan sees India as a very potent and strategic partner that can take bilateral cooperation between the two nations to a significantly enhanced level, said its Ambassador to India, Bulat Sarsenbayev.
Ambassador Sarsenbayev said that with Kazakhstan stepping up its gears economically, the potential and possibilities for cooperation with India were enormous.
"In the last few years, Kazakhstan is moving very fast economically, we are one of the fast growing economies in the world… that's why, we have new possibilities to develop relations with India, and we are doing this because we clearly understand that India is a very potent partner to Kazakhstan, a strategic partner. We can cooperate in many areas; we are doing this already. We are ready to consider what else should be done to grow our relations," the Kazakh envoy said.
Ambassador Sarsenbayev said he was of the view that there were new areas where both countries could co-operate more.
For instance, he said, "We should cooperate more on investment projects related to creating some industries in Kazakhstan. The pharmaceutical industry, India has a very famous of pharmaceutical industry. Till a few years ago, Kazakhstan imported about 90% of pharmaceutical products. We reduced it (imports) dramatically, not 50% but still we moved. This is an area where we could participate. This is for India as an experienced country in the pharmaceutical industry to share such experiences with Kazakhstan."
Agriculture was another sector where the two nations could cooperate, he said, adding that India should take advantage of the new railway link established between Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. That railway line stretches from Kazakhstan's Caspian Sea port of Ozen to Gorgan in Iran, and from Gorgan it comes to Bandar Abbas, he added. "I know that India is considering some investment projects in that area – the Chhabahar Port project, and it's next to Bandar Abbas. So this railway link can be used by both of us to increase our trade," said Ambassador Sarsenbayev.
The envoy said Kazakhstan-India bilateral trade was currently pegged at about $900 million, which was significant, but "not so big for our two countries".
The key obstacle to enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries was logistics. "To come from the Black Sea or the Pacific Ocean for us is a big challenge. The price of transportation is huge and increasing. At one time, we could not compete with, for example, Russian or Ukrainian wheat imports to India. But now, through this railway, we can do it. And India also could use it to bring their products to Central Asia, to Russia, to China, or even to Europe if needed," the Kazakh envoy said. "Last year, we connected to Turkmenistan through this railway, and the increase of trade was 38%," he added to emphasise his point of improved logistics for better trade benefits.
Ambassador Sarsenbayev talked of tourism, banking and information technology emerging as new areas for bilateral cooperation with India. Tourism for instance, he said is doing well. "We have seven flights a week, everyday flights to Delhi by our Air Astana Company. We plan to open some flights to Mumbai in the near future. Indians are also travelling to Kazakhstan. There is an exchange of students," he said.
"There are already Indian banks in Kazakhstan. There is a branch of the Punjab National Bank in Kazakhstan. I hope that one of the Kazakh banks will come to India to this market. And, IT technology – this is our priority. As I said, the next five years, Kazakhstan will concentrate on developing industry based on innovation and new technologies," he added.
Ambassador Sarsenbayev said in the last three months in India, he has been successful in meeting several officials, and added that the Kazakh leadership is keen to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the country sometime in 2015.
"I have always mentioned that Kazakhstan is willing to organise such kind of visit. As I know, for India also, Central Asia is attractive. Central Asia is becoming more and more active internationally, politically, economically, and we have historical ties also. So, I think, it should be a good visit. Of course, we will have a very tough job to prepare it, very tough, two embassies, two governments, two ministries of foreign affairs will be very busy to prepare this visit. In order to achieve some results, not just have a visit for the sake of having a visit," Ambassador Sarsenbayev said.
Sarsenbayev said he saw his diplomatic stint in India as a new challenge. "I am exploring India, and of course, it will need some time for me to come out with some ideas, more ideas. I already have some ideas about our co-operation, and how to develop and strengthen our relations," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}