Gandhinagar, June 29 (IANS) Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to India, Azamat Yeskarayev, called on Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar on Monday, during which both sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation in energy, education, agriculture, and industrial investment, while reviewing the historical and strategic dimensions of India-Kazakhstan relations.

During the meeting, the Governor referred to the longstanding civilisational links between the two regions, stating that relations date back nearly 2,000 years.

“Indian Buddhist monks and spiritual leaders had travelled to Central Asia in ancient times, spreading messages of peace, brotherhood and harmony,” he said.

Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Yeskarayev said, “Kazakhstan regards energy security as a key global concern and noted that the country holds around 40 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves.”

He added that Kazakhstan, along with Canada, is among the main suppliers of uranium to India for its nuclear energy programme.

Agriculture and public health were also discussed, with Devvrat highlighting natural farming as an alternative to chemical-intensive agricultural practices. “The extensive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has been linked to rising global health concerns, including cancer, migraine and brain tumours,” he said.

He added that Kazakh agricultural experts have been invited to India for training in natural farming practices and said: “he regularly visits rural areas to encourage farmers to adopt the method”.

The Governor also outlined Gujarat’s industrial growth, describing the state as a major global investment destination.

He cited the strength of sectors such as semiconductors, energy, chemicals, and automobiles, and referred to GIFT City as an emerging international financial services hub where global institutions, including Bank of America, operate.

He also mentioned the Dholera Industrial City, a 900-square-kilometre Special Economic Zone being developed as a major industrial centre.

On education links, Yeskarayev said: “Around 9,000 to 10,000 Indian students, including those from Gujarat and Rajasthan, are currently pursuing medical studies in Kazakhstan.”

He also noted that Kazakhstan imports a significant share of its healthcare and medical equipment from India, reflecting growing bilateral cooperation in the sector.

The Governor referred to India’s long-term nuclear energy goals under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, including a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

He also highlighted Gujarat’s progress in renewable energy, stating that “Lok Bhavan has been converted into a solar-powered, carbon-neutral facility and that the state leads India in rooftop solar adoption”.

Yeskarayev recalled Kazakhstan’s participation in earlier editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and expressed interest in further strengthening engagement in future editions to expand economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

–IANS

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