Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The meeting brought together the leaders of two countries with a history of cultural and civilizational connections stretching back centuries. Both sides used the occasion to discuss how their partnership has grown in recent times and to chart a path for closer engagement ahead.
What was discussed
The Prime Minister and the Kazakh President reviewed cooperation across several sectors. These included:
- Political and diplomatic ties
- Trade and economic matters
- Defence and security collaboration
- Connectivity projects linking the two nations
- Energy cooperation
- Critical minerals and their sourcing
- Emerging technologies and innovation
- Creative industries and cultural exchange
- People-to-people connections
Beyond bilateral matters, the two leaders also discussed developments taking place across their regions and on the world stage. Both reaffirmed their intention to deepen their strategic partnership for the benefit of their citizens and to promote peace, stability, development and prosperity across Central Asia and beyond.
What this means for you
For India, the meeting signals strengthened ties with a major Central Asian nation that sits at the crossroads of trade routes, energy supplies and geopolitical influence. Closer defence and security cooperation could shape India’s regional strategy, while joint work on critical minerals—essential for everything from batteries to electronics—affects India’s supply chains and economic growth. Indians working or studying in Kazakhstan, as well as Indian businesses involved in trade and investment there, may benefit from improved bilateral frameworks. The emphasis on people-to-people ties also suggests more opportunities for cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.