Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday underlined the common Islamic heritage of India and Central Asia, which had always rejected forces of extremism.
On his first visit to Central Asian countries, Mr. Modi, who flew to Kazakhstan’s capital from Uzbekistan earlier on Tuesday, said India and Central Asia could not achieve their full potential without each other; nor would the region be more stable without cooperation between the two.
Speaking at Nazarbayev University, Mr. Modi said, “The Islamic heritage of both India and Central Asia is defined by the highest ideals of Islam — knowledge, piety, compassion and welfare. This is a heritage founded on the principle of love and devotion.”
“And, it has always rejected the forces of extremism. Today, this is an important source of strength that brings India and Central Asia together.”
Modi launches OVL project
Mr. Modi launched drilling by ONGC Videsh in the Satpayev oil block of Kazakhstan on Tuesday. OVL is investing $400 million for exploration in the block.
“PM @narendramodi and [Kazakhstan] PM Massimov launch the first exploratory drilling of Satpayev oil block by OVL and KazMunaiGaz,” the External Affairs Ministry tweeted.
OVL bought 25 per cent of the block in 2011. It paid $13 million as a signing amount to Kazakhstan. In addition, it paid $80 million as a one-time assignment fee to KazMunaiGas (KMG).
OVL planned to drill two exploration wells on Satpayev in 2014 and 2015, but delivery of a drill rig has been delayed and will start drilling next month.
At a round-table interaction with CEOs and business leaders of Kazakhstan and India, Mr. Modi invited resource-rich Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund as well as businesses to invest in India’s renewable energy, manufacturing and smart city project. He said businessmen of both the countries could work together in space, cyber security, health and infrastructure, stressing that India-Kazakhstan partnership was a “win-win situation”.
