Interaction with H.E. Daulat Kuanyshev

His Excellency Daulat Kuanyshev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India, informally discussed the recently concluded Tenth Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Astana and Kazakhastan-India bilateral relationship with Lt. Gen (Retd.) RK Sawhney, Brig (Retd.) Vinod Anand and other members of VIF’s research team on June 24, 2011. Underlining India’s growing economic clout regionally as well as internationally, the Ambassador expressed his desire for New Delhi’s robust engagements with the Central Asian region. He explained SCO’s procedural requirements for adding new members. In this context, the Ambassador added that countries like Iran which are currently facing UN sanctions cannot be granted SCO membership. In so far as India’s prospects for joining SCO are concerned, H.E. Daulat Kuanyshev added that the issue was discussed at Astana Summit. India’s joining the organisation would bring almost immediately a new economic dynamism to it. While other Central Asian republics could benefit from their economic engagements with India, Kazakhstan, in particular, would benefit even more as it wants to evolve into an economic transit hub and a knowledge-based economy. The Ambassador also apprised the VIF’s research faculty about other issues which were discussed at the Astana Summit, including the issues of terrorism, drug-trafficking and influences of other super powers, notably China and Russia, within the SCO. Afghanistan however came in for special mention because it is an important land bridge between Central and South Asia. India faces problems of connectivity with Central Asia largely because of present instability in Afghanistan. To that extent, the proposed drawdown of NATO troops from Afghanistan was also discussed.

There is a tremendous scope for bilateral economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and India, especially in nuclear energy and other natural resources such as oil and minerals. Keeping this in view, the significance of regular state visits at the highest level by Indian leaders to Kazakhstan was underscored. New Delhi can take a cue from Beijing in this regard which sends either its President or Premier to Kazakhstan every alternate year. In his concluding remarks, Lt. Gen. RK Sawhney observed that Muslims in India and the people in Kazakhstan both practiced moderate Islam. He also expressed hope that Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship of Organisation of Islamic Republic (OIC) would bring about some moderating influences within the organisation. Gen Sawhney also expressed his desire for stronger ties between India and Kazakhstan.