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The Diplomat
an hour ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
From Terrorists to Trading Partners: Smoothing Kazakh-Afghan Relations
After Russia became the first country to officially recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government, Kazakhstan may not be far behind – all in the name of trade interests and a desire for regional stability. On July 10, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu visited Kabul to meet with Taliban officials and discuss future bilateral cooperation. During the trip, Nurtleu held meetings with both the deputy prime minister and the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan. The visit marks the latest in a series of diplomatic exchanges between the two countries since the Taliban seized power in 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops. Despite the Taliban remaining on Kazakhstan's official list of terrorist organizations until 2024, Astana established ties with the new regime as early as September 2021. Since then, dialogue has mainly centered around boosting trade and developing transportation networks. At the same time, Afghanistan's presence in Kazakhstan has visibly expanded. Just last year, a Taliban-led delegation hosted an exhibition of Afghan goods in Almaty. In neighboring Russia, similar patterns of engagement have emerged. The Kabul-Moscow relationship reached a milestone earlier this month when Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government. Despite the growing relationship, Kazakhstan yet to formally recognize the Taliban-led government. Kazakhstan continues to engage with the Taliban regime at an accelerating pace, even without recognizing its legitimacy. Nurtleu's recent trip to Kabul further demonstrated this, with discussions covering agriculture, digitalization, trade, and logistics. Most notably, the Kazakh foreign minister signed a memorandum reportedly pledging $500 million in investment for a railway project in western Afghanistan. The railway would stretch from the town of Turgundi, near the Turkmen border, to the city of Herat, about 100 kilometers further inside Afghanistan. It would serve as a key piece of infrastructure for Kazakhstan, allowing the movement of goods toward Pakistani seaports, thereby reducing reliance on northern routes through Russia. Beyond transit, the two countries also hope to boost bilateral trade. 'Today, Afghanistan has become one of our important partners with whom we are actively developing a trade and economic agenda,' Nurtleu stated. He went on to say that the two sides aim to increase trade turnover to $3 billion. 'To this end, Kazakhstan is ready to increase the supply of agricultural products, fuel and lubricants, mineral fertilizers, and chemical industry goods.' That would be a massive rise, considering that trade turnover between the two countries in 2024 stood at just $545 million, with 97 percent of that coming from Kazakh exports. Even so, these numbers already place Kazakhstan among Afghanistan's top trading partners. High-level meetings between Kazakh and Afghan officials are becoming increasingly common. In May, acting Taliban Minister of Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Aziz attended the Astana International Forum. There, he met directly with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the first such meeting with a Taliban official. Although no major deals came out of the meeting, the significance was hard to miss. This was the first time Tokayev had publicly met with Taliban representatives, made possible only after the group's removal from Kazakhstan's list of terrorist organizations 19 years after it was first added. Explaining the decision for the removal in June 2024, Tokayev said: 'Kazakhstan removed the Taliban regime from the terrorist list based on the importance of developing trade and economic cooperation with modern Afghanistan. This regime is a long-term factor in the region, and we must work with it.' Kazakhstan's deepening ties with the Taliban mirror Russia's trajectory in many ways. Both countries initially condemned the group but quickly pivoted to pragmatic engagement. Since 2021, Russia has expanded trade with Afghanistan and sent several aid packages, all while the Taliban remained designated as a terror organization. That changed in April 2025, when Moscow officially delisted the group. Then in early July, Russia became the first country to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government – a move that prompted the raising of the Taliban's distinctive white-and-black flag over the Afghan embassy in Moscow. Whether Kazakhstan will follow suit is still an open question. But given the increasing number of diplomatic meetings, infrastructure commitments, and trade ambitions, formal recognition appears to be less a matter of if than when. Whether driven by commerce or regional security, the logic is becoming harder to ignore.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kazakhstan launches initiative to integrate Afghanistan into Central Asian economy
A Kazakhstan delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu visited Kabul eyeing to boost sub-regional cooperation. Kazakhstan and Afghanistan have agreed on the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway . During a visit to Kabul the two sides signed a memorandum on the construction of a railway connecting Central Asia and Afghanistan, it has been learnt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 30초 비교 견적, 4번의 클릭으로 최저가 견적 상담 받으세요 8zero렌트 더 읽기 Undo Officials from Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a 115km railway from Towrgondi on Afghanistan's border with Turkmenistan to Herat. Kazakhstan intends to invest in the Turgundi-Herat section and increase trade with Afghanistan to $3 billion per year. Live Events The two sides also discussed the supply of Kazakh agricultural products, fuels and lubricants and fertilizers in exchange for Afghan goods. In addition, Nurtleu proposed expanding quotas for Afghan students in Kazakh universities. Astana is advocating the integration of Afghanistan into the region's economy. Talks are underway to initiate direct flights between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan to increase bilateral business and people to people movement.
Shafaq News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iranian President: We're open to nuclear inspection
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran's readiness to permit nuclear inspections while rejecting any form of external coercion, according to a statement from his office. Meeting in Tehran with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, Pezeshkian said Iran's nuclear program is transparent and has been repeatedly verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'We are open to inspections,' he stated. 'But no nation has the right to impose its will on Iran or undermine its sovereign decision-making.' His remarks come amid ongoing indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman. Negotiations resumed in April but have seen limited progress. Nurtleu, delivering a letter from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, voiced support for Iran's stance on peaceful nuclear development and expressed interest in advancing bilateral ties. During the visit, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic archive cooperation and discussed regional developments with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities comply with international law and denies pursuing nuclear weapons. However, the IAEA has raised concerns over Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and lack of transparency, citing unresolved safeguards issues. The United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, which Iranian officials describe as unjustified, and with direct negotiations stalled, Tehran insists that inspections must be tied to 'mutual respect' and non-interference in its internal affairs.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India is a key strategic partner for Kazakhstan; DPM calls for increasing Indian FDI
Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu affirmed India's role as a key strategic partner and outlined a vision to triple bilateral trade, expand energy and digital cooperation, and invite Indian investment in infrastructure and innovation during the Central Asia–India Business Council meeting on June 5 in New Delhi. Nurtleu pointed to the potential to increase bilateral trade from $1 billion in 2024 to $3 billion in the near future and noted a 41% rise in Indian investments in Kazakhstan, which have exceeded $525 million, reported Kazakh Foreign Ministry 's press service. 'We consider this only as the beginning. Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in Central Asia and a transit hub between East and West, is ready to strengthen cooperation with India in areas such as trade, digital transformation, critical minerals, energy security, and humanitarian ties,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Make Smarter Health Insurance Choices Search7 Learn More Undo Nurtleu identified transport and logistical connectivity as a key area for cooperation, emphasizing the importance of developing international corridors, notably the North – South route and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor. He invited the Indian side to participate in joint infrastructure projects, including multimodal routes, fiber-optic lines, and regional energy grids. Kazakhstan also expressed its readiness to become a reliable supplier of strategic resources, including energy resources, rare earth metals, and agricultural products within the framework of India's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) initiative. Live Events Tourism was noted as another promising area, with 150,000 Indian tourists visiting Kazakhstan in 2024. Growth was driven by a 14-day visa-free regime and direct flights between Almaty and New Delhi. Kazakhstan also expressed readiness to support the opening of hotels and restaurants serving Indian cuisine in key cities. Nurtleu highlighted Kazakhstan's favorable investment climate, including a new 10-year 'golden visa' for investments over $300,000 and the role of the Astana International Financial Centre as a regional hub. He proposed hosting the next business council session in Kazakhstan, expressing confidence in concrete business outcomes.
Economic Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India is a key strategic partner for Kazakhstan; DPM calls for increasing Indian FDI
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu affirmed India's role as a key strategic partner and outlined a vision to triple bilateral trade, expand energy and digital cooperation, and invite Indian investment in infrastructure and innovation during the Central Asia–India Business Council meeting on June 5 in New pointed to the potential to increase bilateral trade from $1 billion in 2024 to $3 billion in the near future and noted a 41% rise in Indian investments in Kazakhstan, which have exceeded $525 million, reported Kazakh Foreign Ministry 's press service.'We consider this only as the beginning. Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in Central Asia and a transit hub between East and West, is ready to strengthen cooperation with India in areas such as trade, digital transformation, critical minerals, energy security, and humanitarian ties,' he identified transport and logistical connectivity as a key area for cooperation, emphasizing the importance of developing international corridors, notably the North – South route and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor. He invited the Indian side to participate in joint infrastructure projects, including multimodal routes, fiber-optic lines, and regional energy also expressed its readiness to become a reliable supplier of strategic resources, including energy resources, rare earth metals, and agricultural products within the framework of India's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) was noted as another promising area, with 150,000 Indian tourists visiting Kazakhstan in 2024. Growth was driven by a 14-day visa-free regime and direct flights between Almaty and New Delhi. Kazakhstan also expressed readiness to support the opening of hotels and restaurants serving Indian cuisine in key highlighted Kazakhstan's favorable investment climate, including a new 10-year 'golden visa' for investments over $300,000 and the role of the Astana International Financial Centre as a regional proposed hosting the next business council session in Kazakhstan, expressing confidence in concrete business outcomes.
