Kazakhstan
Profile
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan do not share a border and ethnic connections. In addition to physical distance, Kazakhstan has substantial economic and security resources that make it less vulnerable to the Taliban and Afghan-related terrorism. As a result, Astana largely stayed on the periphery of discussion on Afghanistan and took a restrained position before articulating its stance on a Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Following the Taliban takeover, Astana's policy has been to keep engagement at arm's length. Unlike Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan reportedly have far fewer citizens in militant groups in Afghanistan. No jihadi militant group in Afghanistan, like the IMU and JA, has publicly declared its goal to overthrow the Kazakh government. The Kazakh authorities concede that while the Taliban takeover is not favorable, it is not the worst case compared to other groups. Cognizant of the new realities, Astana sent a special working group to Kabul in mid-October 2021 to discuss expanding trade and economic ties and providing humanitarian help. Both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are interested in continuing to build transport routes.
Key Interests & Priorities
1. Spillover of Insecurity
Kazakhstan has prioritized strengthening its regional and national security in its foreign policy. According to Strategy 2050, Kazakhstan intends to stabilize the troubled situation in the region to aid its economic development. The best way to stabilize Central Asia is through interregional integration to decrease conflict potential and resolve complex issues. The document distinctly states Astana's aspirations for Afghanistan, saying, "together with all interested partners and neighboring states, Kazakhstan intends to seek an early political settlement and rehabilitation of Afghanistan."Kazakhstan believes it critical for Afghanistan to restore peace and stability, recognizing the risk of incursions and attacks by extremist forces, the threat of drug trafficking and radicalism will always invisibly hang over it. Consistent with that belief, Astana has tried to counter the catastrophic effects of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover by providing humanitarian assistance and the continued flow of wheat.
2. Inclusive Government
Kazakhstan, like other states, stands for the creation of an inclusive state and is waiting for the fulfillment of all the promises made by the Taliban. Astana also wants to see an inclusive government bring security, stability, and predictability to Afghan affairs.
3. Economic Opportunities
Kazakh government officials visited Kabul several times after the Taliban takeover, most notably by the delegation led by Trade and Integration Minister Bakhyt Sultanov, to discuss trade, transit routes, and other economic cooperation and political ties. Kazakhstan is the main, if not the only, grain supplier for Afghanistan, which accounts for half of all Kazakh grain exports. Following the Taliban takeover, Kazakhstan continued to supply the country with wheat. Kazakhstan is also very interested in rail linking Uzbekistan to Iran and Pakistan through Afghanistan so it can transport its products to the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Its representatives participated in a meeting in Tashkent with regional representatives, including the Taliban and the Kazakhs, on the trans-Afghan railway. Astana is also interested in supplying its gas through the TAPI pipeline with the possibility of increasing the pipeline's capacity.