A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WAS HELD BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

On October 15, 2020, a telephone conversation took place between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind.

Expressing his sincere gratitude to the President of India for the attention paid to the development of a fruitful Turkmen-Indian dialogue, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed that our countries are actively cooperating not only in a bilateral format, but also through international structures. This is evidenced by the mutual support of constructive proposals put forward within the framework of authoritative organizations on a regional and global scale.

As the President of our country noted, Turkmenistan is grateful to India for the continued support of its neutral status and international initiatives aimed at ensuring global peace, security and building an effective partnership for sustainable development.

During the conversation, it was emphasized that the high level of Turkmen-Indian relations is embodied in the consistent strengthening of trade and economic ties. In this context, the energy sector was named as a priority vector of cooperation, where a vivid example was interaction on the implementation of a large-scale project for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

It was noted that the successful implementation of this significant project will certainly give a powerful impetus to the economic development of the participating countries, the creation of new jobs, the construction of social and industrial infrastructure, and will attract large foreign investments.

During the telephone conversation, the interlocutors also stated that there is a solid potential for diversifying economic cooperation, including taking into account the course of industrialization taken by our country.

For its part, Turkmenistan, as President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted, was ready to provide Indian companies with the necessary support in the implementation of investment projects and invited them to consider the possibility of creating joint high-tech industries in such areas as agriculture, chemical, pharmaceutical, light industry, production of building materials based on local raw materials.

Emphasizing that Turkmenistan and India have ancient traditions and a rich historical heritage, the interlocutors spoke in favor of further strengthening fruitful cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, including through various cultural events, such as cross Culture Days, exhibitions, festivals, and creative exchanges.

Great importance was also attached to the stimulation of scientific and educational contacts. Along with this, the importance of establishing interaction and exchange of experience at the inter-parliamentary level was noted.

During the conversation, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Ram Nath Kovind also touched upon the topic of the coronavirus pandemic.

The interlocutors also noted that high-level visits and negotiations play a special role in the development of Turkmen-Indian relations, building up bilateral ties with a long-term perspective. Stressing that Turkmenistan sees India as a sincere friend and reliable partner, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind to pay an official visit to our country at a convenient time for him.

At the end of the telephone conversation, the parties exchanged best wishes for each other and the peoples of both countries.