On April 10, 2025, India and Kazakhstan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence cooperation during the 7th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation, held in Astana on April 10, 2025. The high-level discussions, led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Shri Vishwesh Negi from India’s Ministry of Defence, focused on enhancing bilateral ties through training, joint military exercises, capacity building, and defence industrial collaboration.
The meeting, hosted in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, underscored the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, which has been steadily advancing since the establishment of a formal defence cooperation agreement in 2015. A key highlight of the discussions was the mutual interest in expanding joint military exercises, such as the annual KAZIND exercise, which has been a cornerstone of India-Kazakhstan defence collaboration since 2016. The most recent KAZIND-2024 exercise, held in Auli, Uttarakhand in September 2024, focused on counterterrorism and interoperability, further solidifying the operational synergy between the two militaries.
The Indian delegation, alongside their Kazakh counterparts, also explored avenues for defence industrial collaboration, aiming to leverage technological advancements and co-development opportunities. This aligns with India’s broader push for co-development over co-manufacturing, as highlighted by Vishwesh Negi in previous engagements with industry bodies like the American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM) in 2023. Negi, a seasoned diplomat in international defence cooperation, has been instrumental in shaping frameworks like the U.S.-India Roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation, bringing a strategic perspective to the Astana discussions.
The India-Kazakhstan partnership extends beyond bilateral engagements, with both nations collaborating in multilateral forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where Kazakhstan plays a pivotal role. This meeting builds on previous discussions, such as the 5th India-Kazakhstan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism held in Astana in April 2024, which emphasized counter-terrorism cooperation, information exchange, and capacity building. The defence dialogue complements these efforts, contributing to regional stability and security in a geopolitically sensitive area.
Since formalizing their strategic partnership in 2009, India and Kazakhstan have nurtured a multifaceted relationship encompassing energy, trade, and defence. The regular conduct of joint working group meetings and military exercises reflects their shared commitment to addressing modern security challenges, including cross-border terrorism and regional instability in South Asia and Central Asia.
The 7th Joint Working Group meeting marks another milestone in India-Kazakhstan relations, with both sides expressing optimism about the future of their defence partnership. As global security dynamics evolve, the collaboration between these two nations stands as a testament to the power of dialogue, mutual trust, and shared goals in fostering peace and stability.
