India’s quest for energy security continues on course with New Delhi close to finalising an umbrella nuclear agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy with this energy-rich Central Asian country. In addition, India is also close to signing a contract with Kazakhstan for exploration and production from an oil block in a country known for its rich reserves of hydrocarbons.
Speaking soon after delegation-level talks here with his Kazakh counterpart, Kanat Saudabayev on Wednesday morning, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna said: “I am confident that an inter-governmental agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation will be signed soon.”
He added, “This sector has immense possibilities for bilateral cooperation, including for supply of uranium ore.” He also expressed the hope that the agreement between ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and KazMunaiGas (KMG) for exploration and production in the Satpayev oil block would be concluded soon. For a growing economy like India, energy is important for it to ensure further development.
Also, by virtue of being part of India’s “extended neighbourhood”, Kazakhstan is of geo-strategic importance too in the region. Apart from his meeting with Mr Saudabayev on Wednesday, the external affairs minister also called on Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim A.Massimov. During his meeting with the Kazakh PM, there was a detailed discussion on bilateral relations as well as regional issues.
The day was also marked by the signing of a cultural agreement between the two countries with culture secretary Jawhar Sircar inking the agreement with Kazakh culture minister Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed. And it culminated in a meeting of the India-Kazakhstan Business Forum with the external affairs minister participating in the inaugural session.
On the energy front, there was, perhaps, further reason for the Indian side to be pleased with India discussing the possibility of getting more crude oil supplies from Kazakhstan during the bilateral meetings.
Latha Reddy, secretary (east) in the ministry of external affairs said: “India will prove to be an attractive market as Kazakhstan ramps up its crude oil production.”