Modi, Kazakh President Tokayev reaffirm strategic partnership at BRICS 2026
Synopsis
On the sidelines of India's own BRICS Summit, PM Modi's meeting with Kazakhstan's President Tokayev went beyond diplomatic formality — critical minerals, emerging technologies and energy cooperation signal that New Delhi is using its chairmanship year to lock in strategic resource partnerships with Central Asia.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held bilateral talks on 13 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi .
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the India-Kazakhstan strategic partnership for regional peace and mutual prosperity.
Cooperation areas covered include trade, defence, energy, critical minerals, emerging technologies and people-to-people ties .
NSA Ajit Doval , Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George were present at the meeting.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit as BRICS Chair in 2026 , with leaders from member states, partner nations and international organisations in attendance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met on Sunday, 13 September 2026, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, reaffirming their commitment to deepening the India-Kazakhstan strategic partnership. The bilateral talks, held amid India's chairmanship of the two-day summit, covered a broad range of cooperation areas from trade and defence to critical minerals and emerging technologies.
What the Two Leaders Discussed
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Modi recalled India's ancient civilisational ties with Kazakhstan and expressed satisfaction at the steady growth of bilateral relations in recent years. The two leaders reviewed cooperation across political, trade, defence and security, connectivity, energy, critical minerals, emerging technologies, creative economy, and people-to-people domains. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual concern.
The MEA statement noted that the leaders 'reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, for the mutual benefit of their people, as well as for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.'
Senior Officials Present
The meeting was attended by senior Indian officials including National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Secretary (West) at the MEA Sibi George, alongside other officials. Prior to the formal talks, the two leaders greeted each other warmly, with Modi also engaging with the delegation accompanying Tokayev.
Tokayev's Visit to New Delhi
President Tokayev arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit and was received at the airport by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar. On Saturday evening, he attended a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi for visiting heads of state at the Bharat Mandapam. Earlier on Sunday, both leaders joined BRICS member nations, partner countries, outreach invitees, and heads of international organisations for a formal family photo at the Bharat Mandapam.
India's BRICS Chairmanship
As BRICS Chair in 2026, India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from member states, partner nations, and outreach invitees. The India-Kazakhstan meeting is one of several bilateral engagements on the summit's sidelines, reflecting New Delhi's broader diplomatic momentum during its chairmanship year. Notably, critical minerals — a domain cited in the bilateral talks — have emerged as a focal point of India's strategic outreach, given Kazakhstan's significant reserves of uranium and rare earth elements.
Point of View
And India's mention of 'critical minerals' in the bilateral agenda is a deliberate strategic signal. As the global scramble for battery and nuclear supply chains intensifies, New Delhi is using its BRICS chairmanship to build redundancy into its resource dependencies, reducing reliance on any single corridor. The civilisational-linkage framing is also notable: it is part of a wider Indian diplomatic playbook in Central Asia that seeks to position connectivity and culture as counterweights to Chinese infrastructure dominance in the region.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi and Kazakhstan President Tokayev discuss at BRICS 2026?
The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across political, trade, defence, energy, critical minerals, emerging technologies, and people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Kazakhstan strategic partnership.
Where and when did the Modi-Tokayev meeting take place?
The meeting was held on 13 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. It took place at a venue where India, as BRICS Chair in 2026, is hosting leaders from member states, partner countries, and international organisations.
Why is the India-Kazakhstan partnership significant?
India and Kazakhstan have been building a strategic partnership spanning trade, defence, energy, and critical minerals — the last being particularly important given Kazakhstan's large reserves of uranium and rare earth elements. The bilateral relationship has been steadily developing, and the BRICS sideline meeting signals continued momentum.
Who were the senior officials present at the Modi-Tokayev meeting?
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George were among the Indian officials present at the meeting, alongside other government representatives.
What is India's role at the 18th BRICS Summit?
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi as BRICS Chair in 2026. The two-day summit brings together leaders of BRICS member states, partner countries, outreach invitees, and heads of international organisations.
