An official reception marking the 77th Republic Day of India was held in Astana. During the event, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Kazakhstan, Dr. J.K. Silas Thangal, outlined key areas of bilateral cooperation and announced the introduction of free visas for Kazakhstani citizens, as reported by Kazinform.

According to the Ambassador, the Government of India has decided to grant citizens of Kazakhstan free visas for stays of up to 30 days. This initiative covers tourist travel, medical treatment, and accompanying persons.

"To encourage bilateral tourism, the Government of India has decided to provide free visas to citizens of Kazakhstan for a duration of up to 30 days," the Ambassador stated. He further clarified that the visa can be obtained both online and through a personal application at the Embassy of India.

The Ambassador also noted the significant growth in tourism exchange. According to Indian estimates, approximately 250,000 Indian citizens visited Kazakhstan in 2025.

In his speech, the diplomat emphasised that India is currently the world's fourth-largest and one of the fastest-growing economies, demonstrating steady progress in sectors such as IT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fintech, pharmaceuticals, and digital infrastructure.

Special attention was paid to the strategic partnership between India and Kazakhstan. The Ambassador noted that the two nations actively cooperate within the frameworks of the SCO, BRICS, CICA, the United Nations, and the "India–Central Asia" format.