A Report on the Seminar on
“Indo-Kazakh Perspectives on the Socio- Economic Developments of Central Asia”,
16 January 2006, New Delhi
India –central Asia Foundation organised 2nd international seminar on “Indo-Kazakh Perspectives on the Socio-Economic Development of Central Asia” in New Delhi on January 16, 2006. The seminar had the participation of two eminent Kazakh scholars: Dr. Bulat K Sultanov, Director, Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISS) under the President office of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Dr. Leila M Muzaparova, Deputy Director, Institute of World Economy and Policy (IWEP), Almaty. During the seminar, a Joint Research Agreement was signed between ICAF and KISS. It would pave the way for scholarly exchanges and research programmes on issues of mutual concern.
The focus of the first academic session was on regional security. In his presentation Dr. Sultanov succinctly highlighted concerns arising from religious extremism and terrorism. International terrorist groups are still active in the region and the Andijon events of May 2005 are considered to be precursors. However, religious extremism and terrorism are not as acutely felt in Kazakhstan compared to other parts of Central Asia. He stressed the need for concerted efforts and cooperation at all levels (international, regional and bilateral). He pointed out that India and Kazakhstan have established a Joint Working Group (JWG) on terrorism. Intertwined with religious extremism and terrorism is the problem of narco trafficking. Other issues of concern are poverty, sustainable economic development, corruption, inter-ethnic strife, ecological degradation and illegal migration. India could help in setting up small and medium enterprise which could help alleviate poverty and enable job creation.
On ecological security he expressed concern over nuclear waste stored in Kazakhstan. It could contaminate the Syr Darya leading to a major catastrophe. Joint efforts at the regional level would be required to tackle this problem.
Dr. Sultanov described Kazakhstan’s economic development and steady GDP growth. On foreign policy, he said that a multi-vector policy is being pursued. It emphasized the need to maintain a balance with all major powers. Good relations with Russia are crucial and China is a strategic partner. Similarly, the USA and the European Union were important. Trade with the EU stands at a high of US $ 10.5 billion. However, Kazakhstan’s interactions with Asian countries are much below the desired level. He suggested more vigorous interactions between India and Kazakhstan.
Prof. Nirmala Joshi focussed on the cooperative/competitive roles of Russia and the USA in Central Asia. The competitive aspect is more prominent. But it is unlikely to escalate to hostility in the near future. The question whether the rise of religious extremism/terrorism is linked to poverty was debated at length. The consensus was that economic deprivation is, to an extent, responsible for luring people into militancy. Of equal importance is the degree of social integration within societies.
The second academic session concentrated on various dimensions of Indo- Kazakh interaction.
Dr. Leila M Muzaparova focussed on socio-economic developments in Kazakhstan. She highlighted the fact that Kazakhstan has large amount of oil and gas reserves apart from coal and other mineral resources. During last 15 years, Kazakh government has undertaken several important initiatives to implements economic reforms in the country, she added. Dr Muzaparova underlined the point that each country in Central Asia has their own level of economic reforms and Kazakhstan has clearly taken a lead over others. Issues such as poverty, illegal migration, narco trafficking, smuggling of small arms are a challenge to not only Kazakhstan but other Central Asian countries as well. There is clear need to evolve an international strategy to fight against such evils, Central Asian countries alone can not address these issues. She also underlined collective measures undertaken by the regional organisations such as Central Asia Cooperation Organisation (CACO), Eurasian Economic Community (EEC), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and others.
Sudha Mahalingam said Kazakhstan has substantial reserves of energy sources while the possibility of discovering additional reserves is very high. In India’s quest for energy security, Kazakhstan could play a vital role. On India’s accessing Kazakhs oil, she examined the economic, geographic, political, and commercial imperatives. The possibility of Kazakhstan supplying natural Uranium to India is also high.
Mr. K. Santhanam described new and promising areas in science and technology cooperation. He suggested that quality education at the graduate level could be patterned on India’s experience with its Institutes of Technology and PG-level Business Administration courses along the lines of India’s Institutes of Management. Other candidate areas of cooperation could include biotechnology, information technology and Technology Parks.
Dr Gulshan Sachdeva examined Kazakhstan’s economic development with emphasis on the reform process and India-Kazakhstan economic relations. He said that the reform process is proceeding at a stable rate while the reform strategy is quite aggressive. The level of reform is high even by the standards set by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). He also surveyed the economic initiatives launched within the region. He said India could play a role and the parameters of SAARC could be widened to include Central Asia. With the inclusion of Afghanistan into SAARC, this possibility is not theoretical. Alternatively, India could forge trilateral cooperation with Russia and Kazakhstan. At the bilateral level, Indo-Kazakh economic interaction is minimal. This is due to lack of adequate information and the absence of a direct access to Kazakhstan.
Dr Ramakant Dwivedi’s presentation was focussed on the recently held (December 4, 2005) Presidential elections in Kazakhstan. He was one of the international observers nominated to oversee the electoral processes. As such, his first-hand observations on the electoral processes, the candidates contesting the elections, their background and the reasons for President Nazarbayev’s popularity were useful and insightful. He underlined the fact that Presidential election 2005 in Kazakhstan was a step forward towards the ongoing democratic processes in Kazakhstan.
The participation of Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek, Armenian, Russian, Azeri academics and diplomats provided the required touch of direct experience and domain knowledge.
(From left to right) Dr Bulat K Sultanov, Director, KISS and K Santhanam, President, ICAF
after signing the Joint Research Agreement, New Delhi, January 16, 2006