New Delhi (NVI): The seventh round of Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) between India and Kazakhstan was held in a virtual format today as the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation within the framework of their strategic partnership.
“The consultations covered political, economic and commercial, energy, defence, space, consular and cultural matters. They also shared views and experiences on combating COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
During the session, an MoU on “Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects in Kazakhstan” was also signed between the both sides, coinciding with the Foreign Office Consultations, the Ministry said. Announcement regarding the assistance program was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the recent India-Central Asia Dialogue.
Held a very productive Foreign Office Consultations today with my Kazakh counterpart First Deputy Minister HE Shakhrat Nuryshev. Took stock of excellent bilateral cooperation in diverse areas and agreed on our common approach in the UN and multilateral fora. pic.twitter.com/3sk2rivg0r
— Vikas Swarup (@VikasSwarup) November 17, 2020
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance cooperation in the multilateral arena, including during the forthcoming stint of India in the UN Security Council for the period 2021-22.
MEA said the talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. “It was agreed to hold the next consultations in a physical format at a mutually convenient date,” it said.
The Indian side was led by Vikas Swarup, Secretary (West) and the Kazakh side was led by Shakhrat Nuryshev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
-ARK
