India seeks energy cooperation with Kazakhstan

The parleys saw Kazakhstan extending its support for India8217;s membership in an extended U N Security Council with Tokayev hailing New Delhi as a 8220;reliable partner8221; of Astana in international fora.

Kazakhstan, the biggest of the CIS countries after Russia, is among the top ten countries in terms of hydrocarbon energy reserves as also mineral resources including uranium.

The Kazak leader said the two sides had reached an agreement on setting up a friendship group. Khazakhstan has been consistently supporting India8217;s representation in an expanded UNSC.

8220;Greater economic engagement between India and the countries of the Central Asian region is not only mutually beneficial for the countries but also for the whole region and the world,8221; Ansari, who also met Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim K Massimov, said addressing the Kazakhstan Senate.

Describing Central Asia as 8220;our extended neighbourhood,8221; he said with the economies of India and Kazakhstan registering impressive growth, there are 8220;wide ranging opportunities8221; to expand areas of economic cooperation.

The Vice President also expressed India8217;s readiness to cooperate in the higher education sector by sending Indian professionals here and training Kazakh students and professionals in various disciplines in India.