CHENNAI: Kazakhstan, the largest of Central Asian states of the former Soviet Union having borders with Russia and China, is keen on utilising the expertise from IT and textile sectors in Tamil Nadu. Also, this republic, which follows a three-language formula of Kazakh, Russian and English, wants India to become a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. When PM Narendra Modi visits Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital in June 8 and 9 he is likely to discuss several key issues with the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, and other officials and strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries which share cultural similarities.
Speaking to this correspondent on Wednesday evening he said the heads of the two states would discuss about cooperation in economic area. “We need the expertise from the IT and Textiles sectors from Tamil Nadu besides agriculture, energy and mining from the country to explore investment opportunities in Kazakhstan. Indian companies are welcome to invest,” he said and added the cooperation between the two countries could also be in other fields including solar projects, education, culture and sports.
Consulate of Kazakhstan opened in Chennai: The republic of Kazakhstan has opened a honorary consulate in Chennai and Suraj Shantakumar, Director — Business Strategy, Kirtilals, has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Chennai and will represent Southern India — TN, Kerala and Karnataka.The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $ 618 million in 2016. Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Bulat Sarsenbayev in India said, “India and Kazakhstan have always shared a very cordial relationship and we are looking forward to taking this diplomatic relation forward with better business opportunities, tourism and Infrastructure.”
Says Suraj Shantakumar, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Chennai, “Our focus is to increase awareness about the potential in Kazakhstan in Southern India and encourage companies to go to Kazakhstan for infrastructure development and IT.”
