President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev placed Kazakhstan’s vision for stronger global cooperation at the centre of his address to the BRICS Outreach/BRICS Plus plenary session in New Delhi, highlighting peace, trade, transport connectivity, artificial intelligence and water security as areas where deeper international coordination is increasingly essential. Addressing leaders under the summit theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” Tokayev described BRICS as an increasingly important platform connecting emerging economies and partner countries across different regions. He also thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hosting the summit and highlighted India’s emphasis on a people-centred international agenda. With BRICS representing nearly half of the global population and around 40 per cent of global GDP, Tokayev argued that the grouping carries significant responsibility in addressing economic fragmentation, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to international supply chains.

Peace & Stability at the Heart of Global Growth

A central theme of Tokayev’s address was the connection between international security and sustainable economic development. He warned that geopolitical confrontation, militarisation, weakening multilateral institutions and growing trade barriers were creating deeper divisions in the international system. Regional conflicts, he noted, increasingly have consequences far beyond their immediate geography, particularly when they disrupt maritime routes, energy supplies, food networks and international trade. Against this background, Tokayev called for political dialogue and sustained diplomacy as essential tools for achieving lasting stability. He also highlighted risks associated with the weakening of the international security architecture, arguing that dialogue among nuclear powers remains important for reducing strategic risks, including emerging challenges associated with new technologies.

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Strengthening the United Nations System

Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s support for a multilateral system centred on the United Nations, while calling for reforms that would make international institutions more representative and effective. He advocated stronger representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America within the UN Security Council and argued that emerging middle powers should have a greater role in international decision-making. Kazakhstan, he said, regards BRICS not as a replacement for existing global institutions but as an additional platform for practical cooperation capable of connecting countries, markets and regions. This approach reflects Kazakhstan’s broader foreign policy of maintaining dialogue with multiple international partners while seeking mutually beneficial economic and diplomatic cooperation.

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Kazakhstan Eyes Wider Trade & Investment Partnerships

Economic cooperation featured prominently in Tokayev’s address. Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with BRICS members and partner countries has reached approximately $72 billion, highlighting the growing importance of the grouping to the country’s external economic relations. Tokayev said Kazakhstan intends to diversify its trade and investment partnerships across BRICS economies, drawing on its industrial base, natural resources, technological ambitions and strategic geographical position. He identified energy, critical minerals and agriculture as particularly promising areas for value-added processing, technology transfer, knowledge-sharing and joint investment. Kazakhstan has also expressed support for closer cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and BRICS economies, including progress towards a free trade agreement with India. Tokayev additionally suggested that the New Development Bank could explore opportunities to finance commercially viable projects in Kazakhstan.

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Building a Stronger Eurasian Transport Network

Transport connectivity was another major component of Kazakhstan’s BRICS Plus agenda. Positioned between some of the world’s largest markets, Kazakhstan is expanding railways, ports, logistics facilities and digital infrastructure as part of its ambition to strengthen its role as a Eurasian transit hub. Transit freight through Kazakhstan has approached 40 million tonnes, while the country has set a long-term objective of increasing the figure to 100 million tonnes annually. Kazakhstan also handles a substantial share of overland freight moving between China and Europe. Tokayev highlighted the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as an important link connecting Asian and European markets through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea. Greater integration between the Middle Corridor, China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the International North-South Transport Corridor could, according to Kazakhstan’s approach, help create a more resilient Eurasian logistics network. Tokayev also welcomed India’s proposed BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework as a potential mechanism for strengthening practical connectivity among participating economies.

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Kazakhstan Proposes BRICS Plus AI Partnership

Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the most forward-looking elements of Tokayev’s speech. The President described AI as a strategic priority capable of reshaping economies, industries and international competitiveness. Kazakhstan has been developing computing infrastructure, digital platforms and an innovation ecosystem designed to support AI research, startups and technology-driven industries. Tokayev proposed establishing a BRICS Plus Partnership for Artificial Intelligence, which could connect national AI centres and facilitate cooperation between laboratories, researchers and scientific institutions. The proposed platform could also encourage joint research projects and the development of multilingual AI solutions. Kazakhstan has increasingly positioned digitalisation and AI as components of its international economic agenda, including cooperation on computing infrastructure, technology localisation, research and talent development.

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Water Security Added to the BRICS Plus Agenda

Tokayev also drew attention to global water security, arguing that technological and economic development alone cannot guarantee long-term resilience. Kazakhstan has proposed creating an International Water Organization as a specialised UN agency aimed at improving coordination between governments and bringing greater coherence to international water governance. The President invited BRICS members and partner countries to participate in consultations around the proposal. Water security has become an increasingly prominent element of Kazakhstan’s international agenda, alongside climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and the management of transboundary water resources.

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Kazakhstan Positions BRICS Plus as a Platform for Practical Cooperation

Tokayev concluded by linking the future of a multipolar international system to the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation. Kazakhstan’s approach emphasises sovereign equality, balanced interests and shared responsibility while supporting stronger economic and technological links between countries with different political and economic systems. For Astana, participation in BRICS Plus provides another channel for expanding trade, attracting investment, strengthening transport corridors and developing partnerships in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy and water security. The New Delhi summit therefore provided Kazakhstan with an opportunity to present itself as a Eurasian connector and a partner seeking practical cooperation across established and emerging centres of global economic influence.

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