India-Kazakhstan: Shift from AI talks to joint projects
Indian Ambassador YK Sailas Thangal urges India and Kazakhstan to shift from discussions to concrete joint projects in AI, digital infra, and trade.
India and Kazakhstan must transition from mere strategic discussions to concrete, practical cooperation in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and trade, according to the Indian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, YK Sailas Thangal.
Speaking in Astana, Ambassador Thangal emphasized that "connectivity in its true sense" should serve as the defining pillar for the next phase of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Beyond Tabletop Discussions
The Ambassador's remarks were made against the backdrop of the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum in Astana. This flagship technology event brings together global entrepreneurs, investors, and governments to explore the future of the digital economy. Following India's own AI summit held earlier this year, the Ambassador noted that both nations possess unique, complementary strengths that are currently underutilized.
“India has a large pool of AI talents,” Thangal stated, pointing to India's robust technology ecosystem and digital public infrastructure. He noted that Kazakhstan has rapidly emerged as a regional technology hub with significant growing AI infrastructure and strategic connectivity.
However, he stressed that the current focus must shift from theoretical dialogue to implementation. “We should move from the tabletop discussions on these things to the actual practical joint cooperation,” he said, proposing the creation of joint research and innovation centres.
A Vision for Joint AI Innovation
The Ambassador envisioned a collaborative future where the two nations launch a "joint co-pilot of AI projects" dedicated to research and innovation. He suggested that such partnerships could yield practical solutions in vital sectors, including:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Infrastructure
- Digital Economy
By combining India's talent pool with Kazakhstan's strategic positioning, Thangal believes the partnership could drive economic growth and mutual prosperity, ultimately improving the lives of ordinary citizens through technological innovation.
Digital Ecosystems: UPI meets Kaspi
A significant area for potential collaboration lies in digital public infrastructure. Ambassador Thangal highlighted the parallels between India's digital payment ecosystem and Kazakhstan's widely used Kaspi payment platform.
“Kaspi is a payment system where it is universal. The vegetable sellers and the vendors – everyone has this possibility of paying in Kaspi,” Thangal remarked, drawing a direct comparison to India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). He suggested that by combining their experiences, India and Kazakhstan could build more secure and robust digital infrastructures that could benefit the wider Central Asian and Eurasian regions.
Using a metaphor for the power of collaboration, he remarked, “Two eyes or four eyes – four eyes can better see things [from] a wider angle, wider scope than two eyes.”
Kazakhstan: A Strategic Partner, Not Just a Transit Point
Addressing Kazakhstan's critical geopolitical position between Russia, China, Europe, and Central Asia, the Ambassador clarified India's strategic view. He stated that India does not view Kazakhstan merely as a transit destination for connectivity, but as a vital partner in its broader Eurasian engagement.
Because both nations maintain independent and mature relations with major global powers, Thangal believes there is ample space to deepen their strategic ties through both bilateral and multilateral platforms. He concluded by noting that Kazakhstan is an essential partner that will help India reach various other parts of the world.