Interview conducted by Egemen with Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad, Ambassador of
India, Astana 
July 13, 2024

1. Kazakhstan-India has marked 32 years of establishment of Diplomatic relations. What priorities can be emphasized in the cooperation between the two countries?

India and Kazakhstan share civilisational linkages over centuries. India was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of Kazakhstan in 1991. Since then, relations have grown from strength to strength. In 2009, the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Kazakhstan was signed, thus elevating cooperation between our countries to a higher level.

Kazakhstan is not only the largest and most prosperous nation in Central Asia, but also the largest trade partner for India in Central Asia. Its rich abundant natural resources, including minerals, growing economy and adaptability to technology have huge potential for India-Kazakh cooperation across the sectors. Given Kazakhstan's significant oil and gas reserves and India's growing energy demands, cooperation in the energy sector holds immense potential. 

India emerged as the global leader in the renewable energy sector. In association with France, it has set up the International Solar Alliance which has currently over 100 countries as its members. Kazakhstan also has an ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2060. Both countries can collaborate in the green energy sector. Kazakhstan has made impressive strides in adapting technology and India's prowess in IT and software development complements Kazakhstan's efforts to diversify its economy and embrace digital transformation. Both countries can collaborate on technology initiatives, such as cybersecurity, e-governance, and smart city development, leveraging each others’ strengths to drive innovation and economic growth.

India’s Defence industry is currently not only manufacturing defence equipment, ammunition, arms, etc., not only for domestic consumption, but also is exporting abroad. India-Kazakhstan have good cooperation in military training and education, which can extend to defence production with joint endeavours. 

Strengthening cultural and educational ties can further foster greater understanding and goodwill between the people of India and Kazakhstan. Initiatives like student exchange programs, cultural festivals, and academic partnerships between universities can enrich cross-cultural learning experiences and promote cultural heritage preservation.

There is huge scope for development of tourism between India and Kazakhstan. It is evident from the number of Indian tourists visited Kazakhstan during the previous year that this sector can further increase air connectivity and collaboration in hospitality and ancillary sectors of tourism. As regards education, over 8000 students from India are already studying medicine at various universities in Kazakhstan. 

2. What initiatives does India have in order to strengthen the diplomatic and economic relations with Kazakhstan?

Besides regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, we have established institutional mechanisms for strengthening relations across the sectors. In 2019, India initiated the India-Central Asia Dialogue, a Ministerial-level dialogue between Foreign Ministers of India and the five Central Asian states. Then, in 2022, India launched the India-Central Asia Summit at the level of Heads of State and the government.

Though Kazakhstan is India’s largest trade and investment partner in Central Asia, the total bilateral trade was only $1 billion in 2023, which is a fraction of potential. India is the fifth-largest and fastest growing economy in the world. India and Kazakhstan have much to collaborate in pharma, minerals, energy, infrastructure, IT and digital development.

Several bilateral institutional mechanisms have been created to foster trade and deepen ties between the two countries, such as the India-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), sector specific Joint Working Groups (JWGs) and India-Central Asia Business Council.

India leads the world in digital payments through Unified Payments Interface (UPI). During the India-Central Asia NSA Dialogue in October 2023, India offered Unified Payment Interface (UPI) technology to all Central Asian countries as a friendly gesture. India is ready to share experience and technology of the National Stack, Digital currency, RUPAY card, etc. Also, there is a tremendous scope for cooperation in metals and minerals. India offered assistance in survey of minerals, particularly rare earths in Kazakhstan to collaborate in this important sector.

3. Can you please tell about any opportunities for the development of cultural and education ties between our countries? The Indian students study in Kazakhstan. The first Medical Institute was opened in your country. Nowadays, the youth of India get higher education in Medical Universities of our country. Does it show the high demand of Medical specialists in India, or it is because the price is low in our country?

India is a country that promoted academic exchange since ancient times, which includes the existence of famous Nalanda around 11th century. In contemporary times as well, Indian students travelled to various countries to fulfill their academic and career aspirations. Of course, Kazakhstan is also one of the academic destinations in Eurasia for Indian students to pursue medical education. Growing demand of medical experts not only in India but around the world is the main reason for increasing number of Indian students in this region.

India and Kazakhstan have a long history of cultural and educational linkages.  Continuing this legacy among young generation of Kazakhstan, Government of India provides scholarships to Kazakh students under ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarship schemes to pursue academic courses from Bachelor to Ph.D. levels at prominent universities of India. Online process for the award of scholarships for the current academic year is already underway through A2A portal – a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in.   

Also the Embassy facilitated cooperation among prominent Indian and Kazakh universities in a structured manner, inter alia, execution of MoUs to further enhance such cooperation. During the last one year Embassy has facilitated 9 such MoUs between Indian and Kazakh institutions.  One of the benefits of such MoUs is that around 35 students of various Kazakh universities will study at the Summer Schools of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai to be conducted during June/July 2024.

Recently, a 5-member delegation of Alikhan Bokeikhan University visited India to interact with IIT Bombay, Pune University, English Foreign Language University, Hyderabad and Hyderabad University under ICCR’s Academic Visitors’ Programme.  Similarly, representatives of Indian institutions visit Kazakhstan to interact with their counterparts.

Recently, about 20 Kazakh youths under the youth exchange programme along with members from other Central Asian countries visited India. This programme was organised by the Government of India to expose Kazakh youths to Indian youth at universities, provided an opportunity to interact with institutions and leadership to give them an enriching experience. 

4. What kind of projects and programs are supported by the Embassy of India in Kazakhstan for the development of relations between the two countries?

There are great cultural imprints of each other on both sides, besides popular bollywood.  India believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - The World is One Family and shares its knowledge and rich heritage with the world.  ITEC, which is the flagship programme of the Government of India,  is part of that philosophy.  In this vein, under the ITEC program with 160 partner countries, India offers 100 slots to Kazakhstan every year which allows more and more professionals, experts and executives from various Ministries and Institutions of  the Government and private sector in Kazakhstan to enhance their skills and expertise. 

Kazakhstan has been India’s ITEC partner since 1992 and so far more than 1400 professionals from Kazakhstan comprising about 1100 civilian participants and more than 300  defence personnel have been benefited by enhancing their capacity and expertise, which in turn contributed to the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan and strengthened the bond of friendship further between our two countries.

With a view to promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries, India and Kazakhstan have renewed the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) in June 2022. Embassy’s Cultural Centre, namely Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre promotes people-to-people connect through various activities such as training in Indian dance, music and Yoga to Kazakh nationals, presenting concerts of Indian culture on important Indian and Kazakh festivals and occasions, participation in events organized by Kazakh institutions and organizations, scholarships to Kazakh students to study in India etc.  SVCC also facilitates promotion of Kazakh culture in India.  During the last one year five Kazakh performing art groups visited India to participate in various cultural festivals. Under the CEP, Kazakh authors delegation visited India to interact with their counterparts at the Sahitya Akademi (Indian institution engaged in literary activities).  

5. Kazakhstan is the main trading partner of India in Central Asia. Our countries are partners within major international organizations such as the UN, SCO, CICA, and the Central Asia-India Dialogue. Entry restrictions have been lifted and visa-free travel for citizens of 74 countries has been resumed. A 14-day visa-free regime has been opened for Indian citizens since 2022. Will a such opportunity be given for our citizens? For example, it is often said that visa fee is expensive for Kazakhstan citizens issued by the Embassy.

Yes, Kazakhstan is India’s main trading partner in Central Asia. Both countries extend  cooperation to each other on issues of common interest in the UN, SCO, CICA and other international platforms.  Kazakhstan had announced a 14 days visa free regime for travel of Indian citizens in July 2022. Thereafter, the number of Indian visitors have increased significantly from 28,000 in 2022 to 78,000 in 2023.  India offers e-visa facility to Kazakh friends under which visa can be obtained in couple of days at home at a reasonable price of as less as $10.  

6. Experts believe that the Trans-Afghan route will significantly strengthen trade ties with India and increase the volume of goods between the two countries.  What you can say on this?

As Central Asia is landlocked, its very important to develop a transport corridor which connects  India and Central Asia. India has been pursuing International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to provide this connectivity. Connectivity is synonymous with development and prosperity. The route through Iran’s Chabahar Port in Iran was developed by India in order to provide connectivity to Afghanistan, and further to Central Asia. India used this port to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in troubled times. This port provides access to sea routes, enabling landlocked Central Asian countries to access international markets more easily, including the Indian Ocean region. 

7. Thanks to the increased air connectivity in 2023, over 75,000 tourists from India (a record number) has visited the country. Which region of Kazakhstan are the most interesting for the Indian people? Which places would you recommend to Kazakhstanis to visit in India?

The recent developments include Kazakhstan’s offer of 14 days visa-free travel to Indian tourists. India’s extension of the e-visa facility to Kazakh citizens has also led to ease of travel. At present, we have Air Astana and Indigo airlines flying on Almaty-Delhi sectors besides regular chartered flights to Goa. Likewise, there is an increased tourism to various touristic places in India from Kazakhstan.

Among the regions of Kazakhstan, the most attractive destination is Almaty, known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultural scene. Tours in Almaty region are also popular which includes Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy lakes. Turkestan is also getting popular for Sufi tourism.  

As for recommendations for Kazakhstanis visiting India, here are some must-visit places:

1. Taj Mahal, Agra: One of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Taj Mahal is a breathtaking symbol of love and architectural beauty that should not be missed. 
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan: Known as the "Pink City," Jaipur is famous for its majestic palaces, historic forts, and vibrant bazaars offering traditional crafts and textiles.  In fact, Delhi-Agra-Jairpur forms a golden triangle for foreign tourists. 

III. Kerala Backwaters: A visit to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala offers a unique opportunity to experience the serene beauty of nature aboard traditional houseboats, known as "kettuvallams" and the famous Ayurveda resorts.

1. Hyderabad for its historic monuments like Golkonda, Char Minar, and the cosmopolitan culture.
2. Goa: Goa, a state located on the Arabian Sea coast, is a perfect holiday destination for Kazakhstani people.

The above are only indicative but India’s tourism provides for every taste of a tourist due to its diverse geography from seas to snow-capped mountains to deserts and modern cities.

8. There are about 30 main languages in your country. The people of India speak 17 major languages, and in addition, there are 844 dialects that indigenous and modern people know. What is the secret of finding a common language of the people of India who speak such a variety of languages?

India is a 5,000 year old civilization. It is a pluralistic society with a grand fusion of cultures, religions, and languages of the people. India is an outstanding example of ‘Unity in Diversity’.  The linguistic diversity too in India is remarkable. There are 22 languages included in the Constitution of India and India has over 1650 dialects. Embracing this diversity and finding ways to communicate across linguistic boundaries is key to fostering unity and harmony among India's diverse population. In India, for few hundred years, Persian was court language, followed by English education during the British rule. Despite the presence of these languages in the administration, currently Hindi is spoken widely in India and individual States have preserved their respective languages in the local administration. In general, Hindi and English act as common languages for people of India.

9. Last year, a copy of a book about Abulkhair Khan, found in India, was brought to the country. It is said that there is a considerable amount of heritage related to the history of Kazakhstan in the archives of India. Could you tell us what is the common history that connects Kazakhs and Indians?

The relationship between India and Kazakhstan is ancient and historical, dating back over 2,000 years. There was a constant and regular exchange of goods between countries, and more importantly, an exchange of ideas and cultural influences. The journey of Buddhism from India to Central Asia, and Sufi ideas from Central Asia to India are clear examples of this.

The common history that connects Kazakhs and Indians can be traced back to various historical and cultural interactions over the centuries. Some key aspects of this shared history include:

Ancient Trade Routes: The ancient Silk Road and other trade routes facilitated cultural exchange and commerce between the regions, leading to the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.

Cultural Influences: Indian culture, particularly through Buddhism, has had an impact on Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, with the spread of religious teachings, art, and architecture.

Embassy of India, facilitated the visit of a 4-member delegation of National Centre of Manuscripts and Rare Books, Committee of Archives and Documentation Management of the Ministry of Culture & Information of Kazakhstan led by Mr. Zhondos Boldykov to India under their project “Archives 2025” to find historical linkages of Kazakh culture in India, where they found a copy of the book “Abulkhair Khan”.  During their research at the National Archives of India, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Delhi Public Library, the delegation found centuries old historical trails of connection between Indian and Kazakh people.  Indian and Kazakh researchers and experts would be in a better position to deliberate more precisely on our common history.

10. How many are there historical constructions in India which are connected with the Mughal rulers? Some sources mention that there are about “400 thousand Turkish originated citizens” live in your country, it it true?

India, due to its rich cultural heritage and resources, has been subjected to several invasions over the centuries. The rulers, during their respective periods, have built some remarkable monuments, which are still preserved. For example, Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, palaces in various regions of the country attract tourists with their unique architecture. India is home to all religions of the world. India not only gave birth to religions like Buddhism and Jainism, which spread across the continents, but also became home for religions like Zoroastrians who fled their country. It stands as a multi-religious country with over 200 million Muslims, 60 million Christians, and other religions.

11. What value of the Kazakh people you have noticed since you arrived in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhs are very friendly and welcoming people. It’s a open society of peace loving people. I also see that the youth of Kazakhstan is tech friendly and their enthusiasm towards use of technology for development is highly impressive. Despite the challenges of harsh winters, I see the continuity in developmental activities in Kazakhstan. At this juncture, Kazakhstan, due to its rich mineral sources and large pool of human resources, can develop into a hub for trade, not only in Central Asia, but in the entire region. I encountered several Kazakh senior officials who have had great exposure to the developments in the world and implementing the same in their country. These are few attributes which make me feel that Kazakhstan is poised for growth, development, prosperity, and also help promote establishment of peace in the region.

Thank you.