Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Defence Minister Meets Indian Army Chief to Strengthen Military Ties

NEW DELHI:

Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Sultan Kamaletdinov, met India’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, on Monday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. The meeting took place as part of Kamaletdinov’s official visit to India, aimed at deepening strategic and military engagement.

According to officials, the discussions covered a range of issues, including joint military training, defence technology collaboration, and the expansion of existing defence partnership mechanisms. The leaders also explored opportunities for conducting more frequent joint exercises and increasing professional exchanges between their armed forces.

“Both sides reviewed the current status of defence cooperation and identified areas for further strengthening military-to-military engagement. The talks reflected the mutual interest in enhancing operational synergy and defence capabilities,” an official source said.

India and Kazakhstan have a history of strong defence ties, with regular joint exercises such as the “KAZIND” series, which focuses on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations. The two nations have also engaged in high-level defence dialogues and training exchanges, underscoring their shared commitment to regional security and stability.

During the meeting, General Dwivedi is understood to have emphasised India’s readiness to collaborate in defence manufacturing and technology sharing, in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This aligns with Kazakhstan’s own efforts to modernise its armed forces and strengthen its defence industry.

Lieutenant General Kamaletdinov expressed appreciation for the longstanding cooperation between the two nations and noted the importance of continuing to work together on issues of mutual interest. “Kazakhstan values its defence partnership with India, and we are committed to expanding our collaboration to address emerging security challenges,” he was quoted as saying.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global security dynamics, with particular focus on counter terrorism cooperation, UN peacekeeping operations, and the importance of ensuring stability in Central and South Asia. Officials noted that both countries share similar perspectives on the need for multilateral cooperation in addressing transnational threats.

Defence analysts believe that the meeting is part of India’s broader outreach to Central Asian nations, aimed at building robust security partnerships that complement its strategic interests in the region. Kazakhstan, being the largest country in Central Asia and a key player in regional stability, holds an important place in India’s defence diplomacy framework.

The visit of the Kazakh First Deputy Defence Minister is expected to lead to follow-up engagements, including the possibility of new agreements in training, technology transfer, and joint development projects. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to furthering the defence partnership in a manner that contributes to peace and security in the region.

With shared goals in counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and defence modernisation, the India-Kazakhstan defence relationship appears set to deepen further in the coming years, building on the momentum of high-level visits and strategic dialogue.