Press Release

Embassy of India, Astana in association with L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) and the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), organized the “India-Kazakhstan Strategic Dialogue 2026” in Astana on 24 September 2026, with the objective to fostering greater strategic and intellectual engagement between the two countries. 

In the opening session, Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, H.E. Shri Y.K. Sailas Thangal, highlighted the strong and trusted India Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership and emphasized the need to translate its strong political foundation into deeper commercial engagement. He further outlined the Embassy’s intensified efforts in 2026 to promote B2B linkages, trade and investment through sectoral forums, delegations and exhibitions. He stressed the need joint collaboration to address structural impediments affecting bilateral commercial relations, including connectivity, logistics, customs, payments, market access and regulatory issues. Ambassador called upon experts to develop concrete and actionable recommendations to move from potential to partnerships and to further strengthen the India-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership.

Mr. Sergey Savelyev, Foreign Policy Research Institute, MFA, emphasized that the Strategic Partnership, established in 2009, is based on mutual respect, trust and shared interests, with cooperation extending across multilateral platforms such as BRICS, SCO, CICA and the UN. He noted the recent meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit has provided fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation. Ms. Lazzat Tolegenkyzy, Vice Rector of ENU, highlighted ENU’s expanding cooperation with Indian universities through MoUs, academic exchanges, training and joint programmes. She expressed confidence that the Dialogue would deepen mutual understanding. Mr. Dauren Aben, Deputy Director, KazISS, emphasized that India-Kazakhstan cooperation should serve as a bridge between Central Asia and India, building on their strong institutional mechanisms. He highlighted the need to unlock the untapped economic potential through greater connectivity, economic diversification and technology partnerships.

The Dialogue further witnessed the distinguished participation of Indian speakers including Ambassador Pankaj Saran (Convener, NatStrat), Mr. Dammu Ravi (Former Secretary (Economic Relations)), Dr. Pravesh Kumar Gupta (VIF), Mr. Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury (Editor of Diplomatic Affairs, The Economic Times), as well as prominent experts from Kazakhstan such as Ms. Saniya Nurdavletova (Associate Professor, ENU), Dr. Aidar Kurmashev (KazISS), Mr. Rakhim Oshakbayev (TALAP Center for Applied Research), Dr. Mukhit Assanbayev (KazISS), Mr. Miras Zhienbayev, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board, Maqsut Narikbayev University), Ms. Zarina Kakenova (Senior Lecturer, ENU), Dr. Galymzhan Duisen (R.B. Suleimenov Institute of Oriental Studies) and Dr. Dulatbek Kydyrbekuly (Professor, International Information Technology University).

The Dialogue brought together experts, intellectuals, think tanks, diplomats, government officials from India and Kazakhstan for discussions on the evolution of the bilateral partnership, regional stability, multilateral cooperation and the role of Track 1.2 and Track 2 diplomacy, as well as on the political economy of trade and investment relations. The discussions also focused on connectivity, energy and critical minerals, tourism and medical tourism, public diplomacy and media, with the objective of identifying opportunities to deepen economic engagement and strengthen the broader Strategic Partnership. The closed session further provided an opportunity for detailed and forward looking deliberations on building a future-oriented roadmap for India-Kazakhstan cooperation. India Kazakhstan Strategic Dialogue 2026 reinforced the importance of sustained expert level engagement in identifying opportunities and addressing challenges, while contributing to the further strengthening the Strategic Partnership between India and Kazakhstan.