OREANDA-NEWS. July 08, 2015. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today called for stepping up economic engagement between India and Kazakhstan in a big way. Addressing a business roundtable attended by members of the business community from both India and Kazakhstan, the Prime Minister praised the huge strides made by Kazakhstan in economic progress over the last decade. Noting that Kazakhstan has been blessed with vast natural resources, the Prime Minister emphasized that India has huge demand for these resources, and therefore, both countries have a great potential for partnership.

The Prime Minister called for enhanced investment from Kazakh companies in India, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, smart cities, housing, and railways. He said Kazakhstan could benefit from partnerships with Indian companies, which will bring in modern technology, engineering skills and cost effective mechanisms. He said Kazakhstan could also benefit from India’s strength in the Information Technology sector. He said poor connectivity was the biggest barrier to deepening of economic engagement between the two countries, and called for enhanced connectivity between India and Kazakhstan.

Shri Narendra Modi, and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr. Karim Massimov, also witnessed the commencement of drilling at the Satpayev Exploration Block, where ONGC Videsh Ltd has a significant stake.