India-Kazakhstan Commercial & Economic Relations

India and Kazakhstan share a strong and growing economic partnership, driven by mutual trust and cooperation.  Kazakhstan is India’s largest trade and investment partner in Central Asia.  

The India-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), established in 1993, is the apex bilateral institutional mechanism for development of trade, economic, scientific, technological, industrial and cultural cooperation between the two countries.  The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on the Indian side and the Ministry of Trade and Integration on the Kazakhs side have been the nodal ministries with respective Ministers as the Co-Chairs of the Commission.  

A total of nine Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been established in the areas of Counter Terrorism, Trade & Economic Cooperation, Defence & Military Technical Cooperation, Transport Connectivity and Logistics, Information Technology, Hydrocarbons, Textiles, Tea Debt and Space Cooperation.  It was also decided to set up three new Joint Working Groups on Chabahar Port, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare to take forward bilateral relations in the respective spheres.

FICCI and Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan have set up a Joint Business Council (JBC) to promote trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.  APEDA, the organization promoting Indian agro-products is also actively engaged through promotion of Indian products in Kazakh markets.  Both the countries witness active participation of companies from various sectors in Trade Fairs / Exhibitions / Conferences, etc. on a regular basis.  Frequent B2B events and industrial visits took place in recent years.  

Connectivity of direct flights between Delhi and Almaty is very helpful in boosting trade and tourism.  As per recent announcement, direct flights between Delhi and Astana are also scheduled to start in May 2025.

*****