Tokayev Meets US Envoy at BRICS — Trump Sends a Personal Message

On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sept. 12–13, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.

Gor conveyed a personal message from US President Donald Trump congratulating Kazakhstan ahead of the 35th anniversary of its independence.

What was discussed

• Cooperation on artificial intelligence
• Digitalization
• The Enhanced Strategic Partnership
• A bilateral agenda to continue at the December G20 summit in Miami

According to Gor, trust-based contacts between the leaders had brought Kazakhstan–US relations to an 'unprecedentedly high level.'

We prefer not fine words, but tangible results and practical steps to advance our mutual cooperation.

— Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan (BRICS, New Delhi, 12.09.2026)

The critical-minerals context

Washington's interest in the region is closely tied to critical minerals. On June 10, Astana hosted the 'C5+1' Critical Minerals Dialogue, covering geological exploration, mining and supply chains. Trump had earlier invited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the G20 summit in Miami.

Context

The meeting came amid Central Asian states' balancing act among the major powers — the US, China and Russia. Tokayev renewed his invitation for Trump to visit Kazakhstan and stressed the importance of achieving tangible results in the partnership.