Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Sultan Kamaletdinov, met with India’s top defence officials on Monday to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and expand military-to-military ties. The high-level discussions, held in New Delhi, involved Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.

In a warm and constructive atmosphere, Lt Gen Kamaletdinov and Minister Seth explored avenues for deepening defence collaboration, including joint training, capacity building, and defence industrial partnerships. “The defence partnership between India and Kazakhstan is robust and dynamic, with immense potential for growth through innovation and collaboration,” the Indian Defence Ministry stated on X, sharing images of the meeting.

Discussions with Gen Chauhan and Gen Dwivedi focused on advancing ongoing engagements, exploring new opportunities in joint military exercises, and enhancing defence technology cooperation. The talks also addressed the regional geostrategic environment, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to regional stability and global peace. “India remains steadfast in deepening our defence partnership with Kazakhstan,” Gen Chauhan emphasized, while Lt Gen Kamaletdinov expressed enthusiasm for expanding collaborative initiatives, including multilateral forums, according to a post by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff on X.

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A 10-member Kazakh delegation, led by Lt Gen Kamaletdinov, also visited the National Defence College in New Delhi, signaling a commitment to fostering strategic dialogue and training exchanges. The visit builds on a history of defence cooperation, including the annual India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND, which enhances battlefield coordination and counterterrorism capabilities.

India and Kazakhstan, strategic partners since 2009, share a multifaceted relationship encompassing defence, energy, and trade. With bilateral trade reaching USD 1.2 billion and growing defence ties, both nations aim to leverage their partnership to address regional security challenges and promote mutual interests in Central Asia.

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