India monitoring Kazakhstan developments due to fuel riots

Russia has long accused the West of encouraging uprisings in its backyard, the so-called "colour revolutions" that have brought down governments in former Soviet states such as Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

New Delhi: MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is closely following recent developments in Kazakhstan. 

"We express our deepest condolences to families of innocent victims who have lost lives in the violence. As a close and friendly partner of Kazakhstan, we look forward to an early stabilization of the situation," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries on the developments in the Central Asian country.

"Coordination with authorities has helped ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals," Bagchi said. He further said Indians are advised to follow local security instructions and contact the Embassy of India for any assistance.

Rising LPG fuel price, internal political tussle and 'foreign interference' has now put Kazakhstan in flames and amid arson and killings. The demonstrations commenced on January 2 in the town of Zhanaozen, an oil hub and the site of deadly clashes between protesters and police just over ten years ago.

While the Kazak government claims there were 44 deaths, earlier, some reports claimed casualty figures were as high as 164. The security forces also said that rioters were killed in Almaty during clashes as protesters tried to control police stations and government buildings due to the fuel price hike. 

Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country and former Soviet republic that got independence in 1991. It is a vast country extending from the Caspian Sea in the West to the Altai Mountains at its eastern border with China, Russia, and is well known for mineral reserves.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday described the 'historic unrest' in his country as a coup attempt. "Armed militants who were waiting in the wings joined the protests. The main goal was obvious: the undermining of the constitutional order, the destruction of government institutions and the seizure of power. It was an attempted coup d'etat," he said.

The protests actually began after the government lifted its price cap on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Many Kazakhs had converted their cars to use LPG because it was cheaper than other fuel. But the Kazakh government now says the price cap was leading to LPG shortages. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Kazakhstan had been targeted by international terrorism. He also said that Russia would never allow revolutions in the region. Troops from Russia and other countries are currently in Kazakhstan to restore order.

Nationwide, about 1,000 people have reportedly been injured, with 400 being treated in hospital. A BBC report said more than 8,000 people have been detained.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has urged the Kazakh government to respect the riot to protest. He questioned Kazakhstan's decision to seek Russian military help.