New Delhi: Last month, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the last Soviet-era leader in Central Asia, resigned after three decades of being Kazakhstan’s president. The oil-rich nation will be going for snap presidential polls on June 9, with interim President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expected to win the elections.His resignation came against the backdrop of Central Asia’s largest and richest country facing economic headwinds, which have fuelled rare protests.Sultan Akimbekov, eminent Kazakh Historian and Political Scientist.Despite his resignation, Nazarbayev remains relevant. The 78-year-old Kazakh leader remains in power as the chair of the powerful Security Council and remains the head of the ruling party. He also retains the state title of “Leader of the Nation”.Meanwhile, the former land-locked Soviet province has been looking eastwards towards China to be its main economic partner.As part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the sleepy border town of Khorgos is said to be transformed into a massive gateway dry port to take advantage of the ambition to build a thriving free trade zone on the Europe-Asia transcontinental highway.Similarly, the Astana International Finance Centre was launched last year with the aim to be a financial hub for the region.In an interview with The Wire, Sultan Akimbekov, one of Kazakhstan’s top historians and political scientists, explained why his country is undergoing a leadership transition and talked about the anxiety over the impact of a possible trade war between China and the United States on extensive Chinese infrastructure investments.Akimbekov, director of the Institute of Asian Studies, was also previously the head of department of President Nazarbayev’s think-tank – Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Research – under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He was also the director of the Institute of World Economics and Policy under the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.He was in India earlier this month as part of a delegation to conduct outreach on behalf of AIFC.Here are excerpts from the interview:Why did President Nazarbayev step back? Does he still play a powerful role?The First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev will play a very important role in our society as the head of our Security Council and of the ruling party Nur Otan. He will also continue to serve as the head of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan. And, as the founder of modern Kazakhstan who laid the basis of our independence and economic development, he, undoubtedly, will enjoy enormous support and authority in our society.His stepping down is part of the transition process that has earlier included other political reforms, such as, for example, expansion of the role of Parliament. I believe that the continuity of our political process will remain consistent under the new President – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He represents the same party – Nur Otan, and has been endorsed by First President Nazarbayev.Kazakhstan will continue its current economic course aiming to become one of the most developed countries by 2030. Undoubtedly, this goal will have to be carried out by the new generation of politicians. But, this new generation will need help and guidance from our leader. So, the notion of continuity is very important to us.What’s the reason for the timing of early elections?Clearly, popular vote ahead of the regular election scheduled for 2020 is needed to confirm the legitimacy of the new president, it is an obvious step.This is particularly important given the current economic volatility – for example, nobody knows how the price of oil will fluctuate and how it will impact the global economy, including Kazakhstan. In this regard, confirming the popular mandate of the new president is a goal to be achieved without an unnecessary delay.Along with the price of oil, what other international developments is Kazakhstan worried about?Over the course of the last one year, our government invested in a lot of social reforms. Of course, higher oil prices will support their prompt implementation. But, that’s not the only concern.We are closely watching what will happen to the United States and China trade war. How will it impact our cooperation with China? What will happen with the sanctions against Iran and Russia?Does that mean that a new government will have to take some bold steps to prepare Kazakhstan for the uncertain international situation?The main idea is continuity. Our government programmes have already been announced and drawn up, and are part of a drive to join the top 30 developed countries by 2050. We will also continue multi-vectoral policies towards our neighbours and global powers. President Nazarbayev wants to ensure the continuity of this approach, so he is ready to support the new president.Will the family of President Nazarbayev play an active political role? The eldest daughter of the president is not in the runnings, but she is speaker of the assembly.His daughter, Dariga Nazarbayeva, is speaker of the Senate – the second highest ranking person in our political system. She is very actively involved in all issues that are important to President Nazarbayev and the government.Can you elaborate on how a possible China-US trade war would impact Kazakhstan?As the country is in the centre of Big Eurasia, Kazakhstan is very keen to play a key role in developing transit routes. So, China-Europe transit is critically important for us.The main question is whether China will continue with investment projects under the One Belt One Road initiative on the same scale, given that these projects are very costly.For example, we recently signed an agreement with China for the transformation of border control points for dry ports etc. This requires a lot of capital investment. We realise that the trade war with the US could have an impact on China’s investment plans.Several countries who have been part of China’s BRI initiative are facing major debt burdens. What is Kazakhstan’s position?No, this is not our case. Our debt vis-à-vis China is not critical for us. Moreover, given the importance of transport infrastructure for us, we invest a lot in this area, both independently and with the use of Chinese money.So, Kazakhstan has no issues with the BRI?No.Before Сhina started the belt and road initiative, we had already invested a lot in infrastructure projects. What we are doing with China is a continuation of that. We signed the agreement with China to transfer some enterprises from China to Kazakhstan and for building some infrastructure projects.Our main goal is to to support the re-establishment of transcontinental trade. That is absolutely important. In this regard, we welcome Chinese money, Chinese banks, Chinese companies, as well as companies and banks from all other countries. Making Kazakhstan a preferred destination for foreign investment is one of our critical goals.You have written a book on Afghanistan. What do you think about the current US-Taliban talks?The main question is who represents the Qatar group. From one point of view, the Taliban looks like a very well organised group, but from the other side, it is an umbrella group. There are lots of small factions.It is very difficult to build state infrastructure in Afghanistan because the country is divided among different tribal and religious groups… so, are the right people at the table? If some kind of agreement is reached on a ceasefire, will it be acceptable to others in the Taliban?Now the Taliban doesn’t want to talk to Kabul government. This is strange, as the Kabul government now represents lots of groups of Afghan society. Among them are Islamists like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, as well as other groups like Jamaat-ul-Islami.So, you don’t think these talks will bring peace to Afghanistan?We need to have discussions. But, if United States want to have an agreement with the Taliban, they need to include the Kabul government in the process.What is the Kazakh government’s position on Afghan peace talks?Our position is for peace negotiations. We are supporting the Tashkent and Moscow process. We want stabilisation and, of course, we support peace negotiations.Of course, for implementing our big project like the Astana International Finance Center, we need stability in the region.How do you assess Russia’s interest in Afghanistan? Do you agree with Russia’s perception that ISIS is the main threat in Afghanistan?We’ve had common security interests to stabilise the central Asian region for the last 27 years.We work together within the collective security treaty with Russia. Within that, we have our own position for ISIS, Taliban or local Islamist groups.What should be India’s role in Central Asia? Do you think that India can have a closer economic partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union?For us, India is a big market, a historical partner. And if our ambition is to re-establish the transcontinental route, we need to include all partners. India was traditionally part of this network of routes.Where will the physical connectivity come from?We have a problem of physical connectivity. But our idea is to work to support better connectivity through railroads and seaports like Chabahar. Today, it may be problem, tomorrow it may not be.Can India play a role in developing the Astana IFC?We need to make sure that AIFC is well-connected to other financial centres, including Dubai, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Singapore and Shanghai.We may have a problem with physical infrastructure, but not with financial infrastructure.India also needs new markets and business partners. Central Asia is the biggest potential new market – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia with Siberia and the Caucuses… this is the new frontier.It will be very profitable for India and should be part of our long-term strategy.This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and comprehension.