On the conclusion of the bilateral talks during the official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kazakhstan on July 7-8, 2015, the two sides issued “Tej Kadam: India-Kazakhstan Joint Statement” on July 8, 2015. “Tej Kadam” has same meaning, fast steps, in both Hindi and Kazakh languages.
President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Modi also made Press Statements.
The full texts of the Prime Minister’s Statement to the Press and Joint Statement “Tej Kadam” are reproduced below:-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Statement to the Press (July 8, 2015)
His Excellency President Nursultan Nazarbayev,
Members of the media,
I am delighted to visit this beautiful country. It has been a short but a memorable and rewarding visit.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Nazarbayev and the people of Kazakhstan for the exceptional welcome and hospitality.
Excellency, I congratulate you once again on your 75th birthday. I wish you great health and a long life of service for your country and humanity.
Mr. President, your leadership is deeply admired. You have put Kazakhstan on the path of rapid progress. You have also played a stellar role in regional and global affairs.
I congratulate the people of Kazakhstan on the occasion of 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and 20th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan.
I also learnt that this beautiful new capital is still celebrating Nur-Sultan Day.
So, this is really a good time to visit Kazakhstan.
Last evening I spoke about my vision for India's relations with Central Asia. Kazakhstan will play a critical role in advancing this vision.
We greatly value our relationship with Kazakhstan. We have enormous synergies of markets, resources and skills for a strong bilateral relationship. We discovered remarkable convergence in our economic policies, approaches and strategies in a number of areas.
We have shared perspectives on many international issues, including regional peace, connectivity and integration; reforms in the United Nations; and combating terrorism.
Kazakhstan is our biggest economic partner in the region. But our relations are modest compared to our potential. We will work together to take economic ties to a new level.
Kazakhstan was one of the first countries with which we launched civil nuclear cooperation through a uranium purchase contract. We are pleased to have a much larger second contract now.
We intend to expand cooperation in other minerals as well.
Hydrocarbons is another area of high priority for us. Last evening, we launched the drilling operations for exploration in the first oil field with Indian investments in Kazakhstan.
I am pleased that President Nazarbayev responded positively to my request to consider additional mature blocks for Indian investments.
We will also give priority to investment in both directions in manufacturing and infrastructure. I was very encouraged by the interaction at the business roundtable yesterday that I chaired with Prime Minister Massimov.
We expect a new roadmap for cooperation from the joint business council of our chambers of commerce and industry.
Kazakhstan's Green Bridge Vision is similar to India's ambitious plan of adding 175 GW of renewable energy in the next seven years. This is another priority area of cooperation, including in the manufacture of equipment. In addition, India will participate on a large scale in the Expo 2017 in Nur-Sultan.
We will also enhance cooperation in Space and Information Technology, including their application for governance and development.
We both agree that connectivity is an important issue, but one that we will address.
The International North South Transport Corridor, the Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan rail link, India's interest in joining the Ashgabat Agreement on trade and transit and India's investment in Chahbahar Port in Iran will strengthen connectivity.
The joint study group on India's proposal for a Free Trade Agreement with Eurasian Economic Union is a step towards our closer economic integration.
Development of human resources is a priority for both countries. Yesterday, I inaugurated the India-Kazakhstan Centre of Excellence in Information & Communication Technologies at the Eurasian National University. We are pleased to have contributed a super computer from India.
Consistent with our focus on youth, we have launched a new youth exchange programme with six Kazakh universities for the next five years.
Our defence and security cooperation is an important dimension of our strategic partnership. We both want to make it stronger, including in defence manufacturing. We welcome the new Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation.
President and I agreed on the pressing need for reforms of the United Nations and its Security Council. I thank him for Kazakhstan’s continued support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nation's Security Council and for a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
I reiterated India’s support for Kazakhstan’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for 2017-18.
I am also grateful to him and the people of Kazakhstan for the support in making the International Day of Yoga on June 21st a huge global success.
Mr. President, thank you for a very productive and pleasant visit. I feel that this visit has opened the door to a much broader and deeper relationship, including many new areas of productive cooperation.
I have extended an invitation to President Nazarbayev and look forward to receiving him in India.
Thank you.
Tej Kadam: India - Kazakhstan Joint Statement (July 08, 2015)
At the invitation of Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, paid an official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan on July 7-8, 2015.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi met with President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Massimov. The talks were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere in a spirit of mutual understanding, which traditionally characterize India-Kazakhstan relations.
President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Modi noted the strategic partnership established during the State visit of President Nazarbayev to India in January 2009, based on mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres and a shared desire for regional and international peace and stability.
Leaders of both countries agreed that the visit of Prime Minister Modi would serve to expand the strategic partnership for the benefit of people of both countries.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Nazarbayev on his 75th birth anniversary and noted the impressive all-round socio-economic development and progress achieved by Kazakhstan, as well as its important role in promoting regional and international peace and security.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on Nur-Sultan Day, the 550th Anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and the 20th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Prime Minister Modi underlined the growing political and economic role of Kazakhstan, which contributes to stability and development in the region.
President Nazarbayev noted the importance and role of India in regional and global affairs and appreciated its contribution to peace and stability as well as the positive influence of the rapidly growing economy of India on the world economy. In this, President Nazarbayev sees a special role of the Indian leader in inspiring global confidence in India.
Prime Minister Modi highly appreciated the initiative of President Nazarbayev on institutionalization of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, which has emerged as an important organization strengthening peace, stability and security in Asia and noted Kazakhstan's efforts on transformation of the CICA to the Organization on Security and Development in Asia. President Nazarbayev expressed gratitude for India's continued support of CICA's activity and contribution to the Conference. He also appreciated India's active support to various Kazakhstan's international initiatives, including Expo-2017.
The two Leaders welcomed the signing of an Agreement on defence and military-technical cooperation which would further widen the scope of bilateral defence cooperation including regular exchange of visits, consultations, training of military personnel, military-technical cooperation, joint exercises, special forces exchanges and cooperation in the area of UN peacekeeping operations.
The Leaders welcomed signing of the Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of India and the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of physical culture and sports.
Prime Minister Modi noted the new economic policy 'Nurly Zhol' (Bright Path) as well as five institutional reforms initiated by President Nazarbayev. In his turn President Nazarbayev highlighted several economic programmes initiated by Prime Minister Modi, including the "Make in India" initiative to transform India into a manufacturing hub.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction at the gradual increase in bilateral trade in recent years, and agreed to work closely to expand bilateral trade by addressing structural impediments between the two countries.
Both Leaders welcomed the organization of Business Forum with participation of leading business CEOs of both countries as well as creation of a Joint Business Council during the visit, which provided a platform for renewed cooperation between the businesses of the two countries. The Leaders noted that the signing of an Agreement between the Chamber of Foreign Commerce of Kazakhstan and Federation of Chambers of Commerce of India (FICCI) will serve to promotion of business linkages. The leaders also emphasized the importance of closer interactions between investment promotion agencies of the two countries.
The Leaders welcomed signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between JSC «Kaznex Invest» and JSC «Invest India», which includes a "Road Map" on Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation, which would identify concrete projects in various sectors and assist in efficient implementation of projects in both the countries to activate bilateral trade and economic relations.
The Leaders noted the successful 12th Meeting of the Kazakhstan-India Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation in New Delhi on 16-17 June 2015, where new initiatives and proposals to strengthen cooperation in different sectors between countries have been explored. The Leaders called on the IGC to monitor implementation of the understandings reached, including through regular meetings of the various Joint Working Groups at the official level, as well as consultations between foreign offices of both countries on political, consular and visa matters.
Both Leaders welcomed the establishment of Joint Study Group between India and the Eurasian Economic Union on the feasibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Leaders acknowledged that the proposed FTA would create an enabling framework for expanding economic linkages between Kazakhstan and India.
The Leaders agreed to collaborate closely in the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as well as through bilateral initiatives to improve surface connectivity between two countries and the wider region. They welcomed recent initiatives by India to operationalize the INSTC, including the hosting of a stakeholders conference in Mumbai on 12 June 2015. They called upon the next INSTC Council meeting to be held in India in August 2015 to take necessary decisions to facilitate usage of the corridor by traders of these countries. The Leaders agreed that the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran rail-link, operationalized in December 2014, become a linked corridor of the INSTC. The Leaders also welcomed ongoing bilateral discussions aimed at setting up a dedicated freight terminal in one of the Western sea-ports of India for trade with Kazakhstan. They hope that these initiatives will serve as the basis for enhanced economic and commercial interaction between the two countries in the days ahead. In this connection, the Parties welcomed signing of Memorandum on Mutual Understanding on Technical Cooperation in the sphere of railways between the NC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" JSC and the Ministry of Railways of India.
The Leaders acknowledged the importance of collaboration in the hydrocarbons sector and welcomed the formal commencement of drilling of the first exploratory well in the Satpayev block which coincided with the visit. They agreed to expeditiously explore new opportunities for further joint collaboration in this sector. The Leaders further noted the agreement reached at the IGC meeting for a joint feasibility study to explore the possibility of transportation of oil and gas either through pipeline or as LNG from Kazakhstan to India.
The Leaders affirmed the importance of cooperation in the sphere of civil nuclear energy. They welcomed the signing of a Contract NC "KazAtomProm" JSC and NPCIL for a renewed long term supply of natural uranium to India to meet its energy requirements.
The Leaders welcomed the signing of Plan of Action between JSC "KazAgroInnovation" and Indian Council of Agricultural Research for cooperation in the field of agriculture.
The Leaders noted that pharmaceuticals, mining, textiles, information technology, banking, and health are promising areas for future cooperation between the two countries and agreed to extend full support to joint projects in realizing potential in these areas on a mutually beneficial basis.
The Leaders welcomed the inauguration of the Kazakhstan - India Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technologies at the L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University in Nur-Sultan with India's assistance. They hoped the Centre will contribute to advance skill development in high performance computing and facilitate scientific research in Kazakhstan.
The Leaders noted the celebration of 50 years of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme and acknowledged the contribution of the ITEC programme in capacity building of nearly 1000 professionals from Kazakhstan in different sectors.
The Leaders noted efforts to enhance air connectivity between the two countries and welcomed the decision to increase the number of frequencies allotted for early operations by designated carriers between the two countries.
The Leaders acknowledged ongoing cultural exchanges in the framework of the bilateral Programme of Cooperation in the field of culture and art. They extended support for organizing cultural events in each other's countries and to consider exchange of reciprocal Cultural Festivals in Kazakhstan and India. With the purpose of further strengthening cultural ties, the Leaders expressed interest in study of common historical heritage and promotion of touristic sites in Kazakhstan and India.
Prime Minister Modi thanked President Nazarbayev for supporting the UN resolution on the International Day of Yoga and successful organization of the first International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2015 in Kazakhstan.
The two Leaders noted the broad convergence of their views on regional and international issues and their mutual support in international organizations. They emphasized that strengthening of cooperation in multilateral frameworks between Kazakhstan and India would contribute to regional and international stability and development.
The Leaders noted the rising challenge posed by terrorism in many parts of the world and in their immediate region and underlined the importance of a stable and secure environment for peaceful economic development. They agreed to continue their active engagement in the fight against terrorism and extremism including exchange of information.
In this context, they highlighted the importance of regular inter-agency consultations and meetings of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. The Leaders also called for early conclusion of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Expressing concern at the slow progress on the UN Security Council reform, both leaders called for concrete outcomes to be achieved in the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations. They reaffirmed their commitment to Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) to comprehensively reform the Security Council including expansion in both categories of membership.
President Nazarbayev reiterated Kazakhstan's full support for India's permanent membership in an expanded UNSC as well as for India's candidature to the non-permanent seat of UNSC for the period 2021-22. Prime Minister Modi reiterated support for the candidature of Kazakhstan for the non-permanent seat of the UNSC for the period 2017-18.
Both Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and underlined that the SCO platform would be a useful addition to ongoing bilateral and regional initiatives to expand cooperation.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the official visit and shared the view that this visit has made a positive contribution towards expansion of the strategic partnership between the two countries. President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev expressed deep appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for the visit which underlines the importance which India places on the development of its relations with Kazakhstan.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Nazarbayev and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the warm hospitality extended during the visit.
Prime Minister Modi invited President Nazarbayev to visit India. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.
Nur-Sultan
