Why in the news?

  • Kazakhstan set to join Abraham Accords as per US officials.

Kazakhstan

  • Location: It is a landlocked country primarily in Central Asia.
  • Capital: Astana
  • Border Countries: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
  • Bordering Waterbodies: Caspian Sea
  • Geographical Features
    • Part of steppe grasslands.
    • Part of Altay Mountains
    • Kazakhstan has an “extreme” continental and cold steppe climate
  • International Grouping

Abraham Accords

  • What is it?
    • The Abraham Accords is a peace deal between the Arab World and Israel in 26 years.
    • It was signed by countries like Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain and it is mediated by the USA.
  • Provisions of the Abraham Accords
    • Facilitated the establishment of diplomatic relations and embassies between the countries that signed it.
    • Close cooperation between parties in the areas of tourism, trade, healthcare, and security.
    • The Abraham Accords also opened the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third-holiest site in Islam.
  • Why did it happen?: These West Asian powers joined hands to counter the rising influence of a common opponent, that is, Iran.
  • Significance of the Abraham Accords
    • Minimize the interference of Arab powers in the Palestine crisis and gradually scale down the conflict in the region.
    • Balance powers between both in the region.
  • Significance of the Abraham Accords for India
    • It will help India to jointly collaborate with the Arab world and Israel for the exploration of resources like hydrocarbons.
    • The Abraham Accords have improved the regional connectivity between the member countries. This regional connectivity has also helped Indians.
    • Development of west asian QUAD in the name of I2U2 by engaging India, Israel, UAE, and the US.
    • Peace and stability in the region will boost India’s trade.