Mera Saansad
Search Search
Telugu language

Text of Media Statement by PM in Astana, Kazakhstan

Published By : Admin | July 8, 2015 | 14:29 IST
PM Modi congratulates people of Kazakhstan on occasion of 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate & 20th anniversary of their Constitution
India expands civil nuclear cooperation with Kazakhstan
India-Kazakhstan deepen defence and security cooperation

His Excellency President Nursultan Nazarbayev,

Members of the media,

İ am delighted to visit this beautiful country. It has been a short but a memorable and rewarding visit.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Nazarbayev and the people of Kazakhstan for the exceptional welcome and hospitality.

Excellency, I congratulate you once again on your 75th birthday. I wish you great health and a long life of service for your country and humanity.

Mr. President, your leadership is deeply admired. You have put Kazakhstan on the path of rapid progress. You have also played a stellar role in regional and global affairs.

I congratulate the people of Kazakhstan on the ocassion of 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and 20th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan.



I also learnt that this beautiful new capital is still celebrating Astana Day.

So, this is really a good time to visit Kazakhstan.

Last evening I spoke about my vision for India's relations with Central Asia. Kazakhstan will play a critical role in advancing this vision.

We greatly value our relationship with Kazakhstan. We have enormous synergies of markets, resources and skills for a strong bilateral relationship. We discovered remarkable convergence in our economic policies, approaches and strategies in a number of areas.

We have shared perspectives on many international issues, including regional peace, connectivity and integration; reforms in the United Nations; and, combating terrorism.

Kazakhstan is our biggest economic partner in the region. But, our relations are modest, compared to our potential. We will work together to take economic ties to a new level.

Kazaksthan was one of the first countries with which we launched civil nuclear cooperation through a uranium purchase contract. We are pleased to have a much larger second contract now.

We intend to expand cooperation in other minerals, as well.

Hydrocarbons is another area of high priority for us. Last evening, we launched the drilling operations for exploration in the first oil field with Indian investments in Kazakhstan.

I am pleased that President Nazarbayev responded positively to my request to consider additional mature blocks for Indian investments.

We will also give priority to investment in both directions in manufacturing and infrastructure. I was very encouraged by the interaction at the business roundtable yesterday that I chaired with Prime Minister Massimov.

We expect a new roadmap for cooperation from the joint business council of our chambers of commerce and industry.



Kazakhstan's Green Bridge Vision is similar to India's ambitious plan of adding 175 GW of renewable energy in the next seven years. This is another priority area of cooperation, including in the manufacture of equipment. In adddition, India will participate on a large scale in the Expo 2017 in Astana.

We will also enhance cooperation in Space and Information Technology, including their application for governance and development.

We both agree that connectivity is an important issue, but one that we will address.

The International North South Transport Corridor, the Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan rail link, India's interest in joining the Ashkabat Agreement on trade and transit and India's investment in Chahbahar Port in Iran will strengthen connectivity.

The joint study group on India's proposal for a Free Trade Agreement with Eurasian Economic Union is a step towards our closer economic integration.

Development of human resources is a priority for both countries. Yesterday, I inaugurated the India-Kazakhstan Centre of Excellence in Information & Communication Technologies at the Eurasian National University. We are pleased to have contributed a super computer from India.

Consistent with our focus on youth, we have launched a new youth exchange programme with six Kazakh universities for the next five years.

Our defence and security cooperation is an important dimension of our strategic partnership. We both want to make it stronger, including in defence manufacturing. We welcome the new Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation.



President and I agreed on the pressing need for reforms of the United Nations and its Security Council. I thank him for Kazakhstan’s continued support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nation's Security Council and for a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

I reiterated India’s support for Kazakhstan’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for 2017-18.

I am also grateful to him and the people of Kzakhstan for the support in making the International Day of Yoga on June 21st a huge global success

Mr. President, thank you for a very productive and pleasant visit. I feel that this visit has opened the door to a much broader and deeper relationship, including many new areas of productive cooperation.

I have extended an invitation to President Nazarbayev and look forward to receiving him in India.

Thank you.

Login or Register to add your comment
Explore More
శ్రీరామ జన్మభూమి ఆలయ ధ్వజారోహణ ఉత్సవం సందర్భంగా ప్రధానమంత్రి ప్రసంగం

ప్రముఖ ప్రసంగాలు

శ్రీరామ జన్మభూమి ఆలయ ధ్వజారోహణ ఉత్సవం సందర్భంగా ప్రధానమంత్రి ప్రసంగం
View All
PM Modi Leads International Yoga Day Event In Kolkata, Says It Has Become 'World's Biggest Festival'

Media Coverage

PM Modi Leads International Yoga Day Event In Kolkata, Says It Has Become 'World's Biggest Festival'
View All
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
Download App
...
Text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tri Commissioning ceremony of INS Agray INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak in Kolkata
June 21, 2026
INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak have been inducted into the Indian Navy: PM
Today, 21 June is also celebrated as World Hydrography Day, And it is a truly remarkable coincidence that on this very day we have commissioned India's most advanced hydrography ship, INS Sandhayak: PM
The country whose maritime strength is robust,its economic and strategic influence will be equally robust; And India understands this reality well, India is preparing itself for this: PM
The journey from INS Vikrant to today is not merely the journey of new warships; It is the journey of India's growing self-reliance, today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak are giving new momentum to that very journey: PM
India has begun to move forward with a new vision for the shipbuilding sector; Special steps have been taken to enhance domestic construction capacity: PM
Shipbuilding, ship repair, and MRO are being viewed as part of a major national mission: PM
India has always regarded the ocean as a medium of cooperation, but India also knows that strength is essential to safeguard peace; Security is necessary to protect prosperity and self-reliance is imperative for building the future: PM
Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak have joined the Indian Navy as symbols of this very spirit: PM

Honorable Governor of West Bengal Shri R. N. Ravi ji, energetic Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ji, Chief of Naval Staff Krishna Swaminathan ji, distinguished ladies and gentlemen present here!

Today is special in many ways. The whole world is celebrating International Yoga Day. I am pleased that on this occasion I have had the opportunity to come to this great land of Bengal. This is the land that gave new direction to India’s ideas, that accelerated India’s renaissance, and that for centuries connected India to the world through the sea. Today, on this very soil, an important program linked to Atmanirbhar Bharat, Surakshit Bharat, and Viksit Bharat is taking place. Just a short while ago, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak have been inducted into the Indian Navy. Incidentally, June 21 is also celebrated as “World Hydrography Day.” And it is a remarkable coincidence that on this very day, India’s most advanced hydrography ship, INS Sanshodhak, has been commissioned. I extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to the Indian Navy, to all the scientists, engineers, workers associated with these projects, and to my beloved countrymen.

Friends,

The world bears witness that no nation can become a great power without maritime capability. Development is linked to the seas, security is linked to the seas, prosperity is linked to the seas. Today, most of the world’s trade flows through maritime routes. The vast networks of data that connect the world pass beneath the oceans. In the coming times, critical minerals, deep-sea resources, and new sources of energy will also be connected to the seas. Therefore, the stronger a nation’s maritime strength, the stronger its economic and strategic influence. India understands this reality well. India is preparing itself for it. And today is proof of what our capability is, what our skill is.

Friends,

A few years ago, when we dedicated INS Vikrant to the nation, India announced a new chapter of its maritime strength. It was a declaration of our capability before the world. The journey from INS Vikrant to today is not just about new warships. It is also the journey of India’s growing self-reliance. Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak are giving new momentum to that journey. These three ships are symbols of three important resolves of India. They have been built in India. Their designs were prepared in India. Their construction involved the talent of Indian industries, the skill of Indian engineers, and the hard work of Indian workers. And this is the greatest strength of New India.

Friends,

Today, India does not want to remain merely a buyer in the defense sector. Our military strength cannot be reduced to a marketplace for the world. The identity of our strength lies not in being a market, but in our self-reliance. India wants to be a manufacturer. And the day we become manufacturers, we will also become decisive. We are moving rapidly in this direction. In recent years, more than 40 Made in India warships and submarines have been inducted into the Navy. This means that almost every few weeks, the Indian Navy has gained new strength. Even now, 45 major naval platforms are under construction. This is not just a number. It is proof of India’s industrial capability. It is a signal of India’s future.

Friends,

In the coming years, India’s maritime sector has the capacity to generate millions of new jobs. That is why we do not see the maritime sector as an isolated sector. We see it as the employment engine of a developed India. A modern ship requires hundreds of tons of steel, electronics, machinery, and thousands of components. Behind all this, thousands of companies work - which means thousands of youth get employment. In the construction of the three ships commissioned today, more than 200 MSMEs have contributed. We can imagine the vast number of jobs created in these 200 MSMEs, in these small industries.

Friends,

The time has come for India to enter the next phase of maritime power. Therefore, India has begun to move forward with a new vision for the shipbuilding sector. In recent years, numerous policy reforms have been undertaken. Special measures have been taken to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity. Shipbuilding, ship repair, ship recycling, and MRO are now being seen as part of a major national mission.

Friends,

The incentive package of ₹70,000 crore announced for the shipping sector is not merely an economic decision. It is an investment in India’s maritime future. It is an investment in India’s industrial expansion.

Friends,

Today, India is strengthening its entire maritime ecosystem. That is why India is modernizing its ports, creating new capacity, building new connectivity, expanding river waterways, and developing a multi-modal logistics network. Campaigns like Sagarmala are part of this comprehensive vision. This is reducing the cost of trade, giving new momentum to industries, and creating new opportunities in coastal regions.

Friends,

There was a time when India was known as one of the world’s largest defense importers. This dependence posed both strategic and security challenges. After the government was formed in 2014, we resolved to change this situation. Major policy reforms were carried out, and self-reliance in the defense sector was prioritized. As a result, today new possibilities have emerged in defense design, manufacturing, and exports. Until 2014, the country’s total defense production was around ₹40,000 crore. Today, it has increased to nearly ₹1,80,000 crore.

And friends,

On one hand, defense production in the country has grown rapidly, and on the other hand, our defense exports have increased at an unprecedented pace. Until 2014, India exported defense products worth about ₹700 crore. Today, this figure has risen to nearly ₹40,000 crore. Defense equipment made in India is now reaching more than 80 countries around the world.

Friends,

In the journey of self-reliance, much remains to be done. In my view, this is only the beginning. But the progress achieved in 12 years shows that when policies are clear, when direction is right, and when we work together, such a massive transformation can take place in the country.

Friends,

When we talk about maritime heritage, the name of Bengal naturally comes to mind. This land has also been significant in India’s maritime connections. The currents of the Hooghly have witnessed history being reshaped, new chapters of trade being written, and new journeys of development unfolding. And see the coincidence - this port is named after Bengal’s son, the country’s first Industry Minister, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

Friends,

In the new maritime era that India is moving towards, the role of West Bengal will be very important. Here, there is port capacity, industrial capacity, talent, skill, and the ability to take the maritime economy to new heights. I am confident that in the coming years, West Bengal will become a vital center for India’s Blue Economy, maritime manufacturing, logistics, and coastal development.

Friends,

India has always regarded the sea as a medium of cooperation. But India also knows that strength is equally necessary to safeguard peace. Security is essential to protect prosperity. And self-reliance is indispensable for building the future. Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak have joined the Indian Navy as symbols of this very spirit. They represent the India that is recognizing its strength in the 21st century, trusting its own capabilities, and moving forward before the world with new confidence, with speed, energy, and determination.

Friends,

On this auspicious occasion, I extend my best wishes to all my companions in the Navy, to all my fellow citizens. Once again, I heartily congratulate the Indian Navy, all scientists, engineers, workers, and the people of the nation. Thank you.