Kazakhstan reaffirms support to India's UNSC bid

New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) Kazakhstan today re-affirmed support to India's candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and sought revival of the ancient 'Silk Route' between the two countries for strengthening bilateral relations, including trade and investment.

Kazakhstan's Ambassador to India, Kairat Umarov, said at a function here that as fast developing economies, both countries were poised for growth and needed to cooperate in all sphheres.

The function to launch the Second India-Kazakhstan Travel and Tourism Fair was organised as part of the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Kazakhstan, the fastest growing ecconomy in the region with an average of ten per cent after separating from the erstwhile Soviet Union, has also sought India's support for its entry into the WTO.

After separating from the Soviet Union in 1992, India was the first country that Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited.

''This shows the importance that Kazakhstan gives to India,'' Mr Umarov said.

Ties between the two countries are on an upswing, particularly in trade and investment and culture.

As part of the celebbrations, a 30-member group of Kazakhstan dancers from the Centre of Indian Classical Dance in Almaty is currently in the capital and has already given two concerts.

Also, at the 4th Eurasia International Film Festival in Kazakhstan last month, Indian cinema was represented by film actor Nandita Das. The film, 'Kamli my daughter', where she plays a lead role, was screened at the festival.

India is a member of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) which was put forward by the Kazakhstan President on October 5, 1992, for cooperation between countries of the region in various spheres, including creating a common and indivisible area of security in Asia.

Mr Jandos Asanov, Executive Director of CICA, while lauding India's contribution at preliminary and subsequent Ministerial and Summit-level meetings of the CICA, hoped that India would play a constructive and leading role in future.

Mr Asanov said India had been associated with the CICA process right from the beginning and viewed the proposal as a positive development and extended full support to it.

''India made positive contribution at the preliminary meetings when the concept of CICA was being developed as well as at subsequent Ministerial and Summit meetings. It is also sponsoring professional staff for the CICA Secretariat...It is hoped that India will take a constructive and leading role for realisation of the Confidence Building Measures,'' he added.

UNI