Kazakhstan Has Become A Model Of Tolerance And Inter-ethnic And Inter-religious Friendship: Ambassador
Kazakhstan was the centre of international activity last month. With Astana Expo 2017, world arrives in Kazakhstan, exhorting the very debate on ‘future energy’, and leading the Shanghai Organization cooperation (SCO) summit, where India was accorded the status of long awaited permanent member. It witnessed the gathering of leaders which include Indian PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside nearly two dozen fellow world leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The summit which took place concurrently with the opening of World EXPO 2017 witnessed the participation over 100 countries.
Excerpts of the interview below.
Q: Kazakhstan has made remarkable progress over this short period of 25 years, and it has been looked upon as a model to preserve peace, security and stability in Central Asian and CIS region. What characterizes Kazakhstan, and how did you manage to achieve?
Answer: Republic of Kazakhstan regained its independence on December 16, 1991. Kazakhstan is a home to 18 million people, located in Central Asia. It is a home to 130 ethnic groups with Kazakhs (70%) and Russians (19%) together making up nearly 89% of the population. Other ethnic groups are Ukrainians, Uzbeks and Germans, Chechens, Uighurs, etc.
Over a short period, Kazakhstan has managed to accomplish profound political and economic reforms. We have guaranteed constitutional rights on freedom of speech and barred censorship, eliminated state monopoly on mass media. Now Kazakhstan is a dynamically developing, market oriented, secular state, whose uniqueness in the post-Soviet space is marked by its socio-political stability and economic prosperity.
So, currently Kazakhstan has become a model of tolerance and inter-ethnic and inter-religious friendship. Kazakhstan has become an example of inter-religious harmony among the diversity of 17 religious denominations and we in Kazakhstan believe that a key to prosperity and bright future lies in preserving the unity and accord among the people of the country.
Q: India -Kazakhstan celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations? What are the highlights?
Answer: 25 years ago, Kazakhstan and India established diplomatic relations. In addition to this historic event, Kazakhstan has established its Diplomatic Service on 2 July 1992. Thus, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan also celebrates its 25th anniversary, making this year doubly significant.
It is necessary to note the unity of the positions of the two countries in the field of foreign policy. An early example of this is India's active participation in the CICA formation, where India was the first country to ratify the agreement on the establishment of the CICA Secretariat, signed in Almaty in July 2006.
On 23-26 January 2009, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev paid a state visit to India, where he was invited as the Guest of Honour at the Republic Day Parade. This was the first time that a leader from the Central Asian region will be gracing Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guest.
On 7-8 July 2015, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Astana at the invitation of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. During the Roundtable, the two Prime Ministers formally launched the drilling of first exploratory well at Satpayev Block in the north Caspian Sea, which is being jointly explored by Indian company OVL and KazMunaiGas.
On 28 June 2016, Kazakhstan has been elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018. Kazakhstan has become the first Central Asian country elected a member of the most important political body of the UN. From the beginning, India was supporting Kazakhstan’s bid to become a non-permanent member of this organisation. On another hand, the intention of Kazakhstan to support Indian candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council is a testimony to the strong political ties between our countries.
India supported Kazakhstan’s bid to become a non-permanent member of this organisation. On another hand, the intention of Kazakhstan to support Indian candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council is a testimony to the strong political ties between our countries.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is also an important highlight of partnership of two countries. The process of India's accession to the SCO was initiated in 2005 in Astana, where Kazakhstan has strongly supported India’s membership throughout the years. On 9 June 2017, India became full member of this organization during the SCO Summit in Astana.
Q: Though, Kazakhstan is India’s largest trade and investment partner in Central Asia and share the great friendly relations with India, bilateral trade amounted to US$ 461 mln in 2015 and US$ 618 mln in 2016. What is needed to boost up economic cooperation?
Answer: To expand trade and economic cooperation, two issues need to be resolved:
Q: Astana Expo 2017 aims to establish Kazakhstan as a centre of international activity in the region, and promises of world class trading hub with massive regulatory reforms in conformity with integration. What is the message?
Answer: Another confirmation of the strong partnership is the India’s participation in the specialized international EXPO-2017. Without being a member of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE), India not only decided to take part in the international Expo, but also made a request for a pavilion with the largest space.
Some 115 countries and representatives from companies worldwide attended the Astana Expo 2017, including the United States, Brazil, Russia, India and China, which considers Kazakhstan an important cornerstone of Beijing’s new Silk Road.
As our President declared: “The efficiency of our development path proved right in the course of history. Marking the 25th anniversary of our independence, we talked about our achievements, including the work of the authorities, the presidential system. But the world is changing before our very eyes and the speed and complexity of social processes are growing in Kazakhstan. And, today, we have to think how to respond to global and regional challenges that will inevitably take place in the coming future”.
Q: What is next in India- Kazakhstan relations, and, if you would like to send across any message on this occasion?
Answer: Further to our bilateral exchange-beyond trade and commerce- India accorded full support to the international initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev - the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions - that takes place in Astana every three years.
Relations between Kazakhstan and India are based on mutual respect and trust. The fact that there are no problems in bilateral or multilateral cooperation is a matter of special pride and a great achievement. Our strategic partnership has acquired a clearer shape, as both the countries show support to each other on different international platforms, some of them are UN Security Council and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Our economic cooperation potential is not fully disclosed due to the lack of Point-to-Point transport network, although, Kazakhstan is the largest trading partner of India in Central Asia and it counts for 60 per cent of the total trade volume. The leadership pf two countries have the strong will, desire and clear understanding of importance to make in the nearest future bilateral relations reach a higher level, both in the political and economic spheres. We are moving in the right direction
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