New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): Praising India for extending its support to Kazakhstan in securing a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Kazakhstan's Ambassador to India Bulat Sarsenbayev said India's support was a key factor. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Ambassador Sarsenbayev said, "On 28 of June, there was election in the UN for non-permanent seats in the Security Council and Kazakhstan won this seat. We became a non-permanent member of the Security Council. We got 138 votes to Thailand's 55. It is a big majority and is recognition of the authority of my country, Kazakhstan, and the authority of our leader, President Nursultan Nazerbayev and his personal input to this election, because during every meeting with international states, he always raised this issue that Kazakhstan is capable of becoming a member of the Security Council. Kazakhstan, for the first time, a country of Central Asia, elected from the Asia Pacific group, to become a member of the Security Council." When specifically asked about the Indian Government role in promoting Kazakhstan's UNSC bid, Ambassador Sarsenbayev said, "First of all, I would like to say thank you to the leadership of India and to the people of India, because a long time ago, back when we wanted to be in this place (UNSC), in 2010, and from the beginning, the Indian government was supporting us. We are very grateful that India believed in Kazakhstan and they supported us steadily to become a member of the Security Council." He said, "That time, during the negotiations, we came to the conclusion that we are strategic partners. India and Kazakhstan are strategic partners and we share very similar approaches on many international issues. Politically, we don't have any problem between us. The support of India is a very strong one and we appreciate it. Kazakhstan will do everything possible to strengthen this relationship further. We would like to use our new status as a member of the Security Council to make our world more secure." He also made a special mention of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and India, formed during President Nazarbayev's visit to New Delhi in January 2009. Ambassador Sarsenbayev concluded the interview by saying, "Today, India is one of the most developing countries economy-wise and your leadership is doing what is possible to bring India to being among the top countries. And, in Kazakhstan, we know the importance of India. In the last few years we have completely come to an understanding that we should do a lot of things together economically. Kazakhstan is very important to India and India is very important to Kazakhstan. I am very happy with what has happened in the two years since I came here as ambassador."
