India and Kazhaksthan today agreed to further strengthen strategic partnership and to enhance mutual cooperation in diverse areas including energy, oil and space sectors.

Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi after delegation level talks with visiting Kazhakstan Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov, External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid said, it was also agreed to work towards achieving progress for establishing a Direct North South trade and energy corridor. Mr. Khurshid said, both countries have agreed in principle to address the geo-political, financial and sharing of benefits issues to advance the project.

Mr. Khurshid said, the North South trade and energy corridor will be a landmark initiative for boosting trade and energy sharing in Central and South Asia.