Speech by Ambassador Y. K. Sailas Thangal at the India-Kazakhstan Business Forum
(Shymkent, 22 July 2026)

Excellency Deputy Akim of Shymkent,

Distinguished Government Officials, Esteemed Business Leaders from Kazakhstan and India,Ladies and Gentlemen,

A-salam-Alaykum, Namaskar, Salametsiz be

A very good morning to all of you. It is a great privilege and honour to address this distinguished gathering of the India–Kazakhstan Business Forum being organised in coordination with the Akimat of Shymkent. I sincerely thank the dynamic Akim of Shymkent, His Excellency Mr. Gabit Syzdykbekov for the great hospitalizes extended to me and Indian delegation and for the excellent cooperation in organizing this forum by bringing together entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and India.

Shymkent is today one of the Kazakhstan's most dynamic and industrialized Akimats. Its proactive leadership, investor-friendly approach, well-developed industrial infrastructure make it an attractive destination for investment and business cooperation. I commend the Akimat for its vision and commitment to creating an enabling environment for rapid economic growth.

India and Kazakhstan enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship built on mutual trust, respect and shared interests. While our political relations are strong, there remains tremendous untapped potential to significantly expand our economic partnership.

Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia, contributing nearly 50 percent of the Central Asian's GDP, with a per capita income of around USD 15,000. Its strategic location at the heart of Eurasia, rich natural resources, stable investment climate and growing connectivity make it an ideal destination for Indian businesses seeking long-term opportunities. Shymkent, in particular, offers significant opportunities for collaboration in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture and food processing, information technology, mining and critical minerals, renewable energy, chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles, logistics and transport, construction materials, education, tourism, and urban infrastructure. These are sectors where Indian companies possess considerable expertise and partnerships with Kazakh enterprises could generate mutual growth.

India, as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offers a vast consumer market, a vibrant manufacturing base, technological innovation and a highly entrepreneurial private sector. Therefore, I also encourage our Kazakh partners to look at India not only as a large market but also as a trusted partner for technology, manufacturing, innovation, research, and investment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The relationship between India and Kazakhstan should not merely be viewed through the lens of trade statistics. It is a partnership built on complementary strengths. This complementary between our two economies creates tremendous opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. The future lies not simply in buying and selling goods but in creating value together—through joint ventures, technology transfer, manufacturing partnerships, research collaborations, innovation, investment and long-term industrial cooperation.

The success of this Business Forum will not be measured merely by the exchange business cards or number of meetings held today to discuss possibilities, but by the partnerships established, the investments announced, the joint ventures created and the lasting friendships built between our business communities. Please seize this opportunity to build lasting friendship, establish joint ventures, facilitate technology transfer, promote two-way investments and create long-term business relationships that benefit both our countries.

I encourage every business delegate present here to engage actively and ambitiously. Today's conversations can become tomorrow's successful enterprises. Let us build partnerships that create employment, foster innovation, strengthen supply chains and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth in both our countries.

Together, India and Kazakhstan can write a new chapter in economic cooperation—one based on trust, innovation, shared prosperity and a genuine win-win partnership. Let us work together to transform the immense potential between India and Kazakhstan into concrete partnerships that deliver growth, innovation and shared prosperity for both our nations.

I once again express my sincere appreciation to the Akimat of Shymkent, especially His Excellency Mr. Gabit Syzdykbekov, for hosting this important forum and for their unwavering commitment to promoting bilateral business cooperation.

I wish today's discussions every success and look forward to seeing many fruitful partnerships emerge from this forum.

Thank you.

Rakhmet! Dhanyavaad!

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