Swaraj arrives in Kazakhstan, interacts with Indian community
What's the story
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today praised the Kazakh people for their warmth in welcoming the Indian diaspora as she interacted with the Indian community living in Kazakhstan.
Swaraj is on a three-nation tour to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as part of India's efforts to boost strategic-partnership with the resource-rich nations.
She arrived in Kazakhstan yesterday, India's largest trade and investment partner in Central-Asia.
Twitter Post
MEA Spokesperson updates Twitter with Swaraj's visit
Meeting our very own away from home in her first engagement since arriving in Astana! EAM @SushmaSwaraj in her address to the Indian community : I have been told that Astana is the second coldest capital of the world but the warmth of Kazakh people do not let you feel this chill! pic.twitter.com/ZwjXxT5TVH
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 2, 2018
Bilateral relations
Modi's previous visits have maintained good relations with Kazakhstan
Bilateral relations have been strengthened by the visit of PM Narendra Modi to Kazakhstan in 2015 and his visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in June 2017, when he had a productive meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, the MEA said.
There have also been meetings between the leaders on the margins of the SCO and Nuclear Security Summits.
First visit
Swaraj's first visit to the countries as External Affairs minister
Swaraj's visit to the three countries is her first as External Affairs Minister.
The visit is in pursuit of India's objective of enhanced engagement with this region.
It will provide an opportunity to hold in-depth discussions with the political leadership on a wide range of global, regional and bilateral issues and will advance India's growing engagement with the Central Asian Region.