India, Turkmenistan agree to cooperate in fight against terrorism

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meeting the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in New Delhi on May 25, 2010.

India and Turkmenistan today agreed to cooperate with each other in dealing with the scourge of global terrorism and called for the early conclusion of the Compehensive Convention on International Framework within the United Nations framework.

At talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting President of Turkmenistan, Mr Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the two sides declared that terrorism, transnational crime and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs were among the main threats to security and sustainable development of countries of the world.

The two leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of the November 26, 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai as well as other terrorist incidents in India.

Mr Berdimuhamedov, who arrived here yesterday on a three-day State Visit, also met President Pratibha Patil and held discussions with her on matters of mutual interest.

Vice-President M Hamid Ansari and other senior political leaders also called on the visiting dignitary today.

At the delegation level talks between Dr Singh and Mr Berdimuhamedov, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

Mr Berdimuhamedov is accompanied on the visit by a delegation that includes Cabinet Ministers.

A Joint Statement issued on the occasion said the State Visit reaffirmed the mutual understanding between the two countries at the highest political level and provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

"The two sides noted with satisfaction the excellent state of friendly relations and cooperation between India and Turkmenistan and expressed their firm commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and diversify areas of cooperation," it said.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Cultural Exchange Programme and hoped it would help to build vibrant relations between the peoples of the two countries.

The two sides agreed to facilitate joint research studies on common historical heritage and developing the historical sites existing in India and Turkmenistan with the objective of their protection and preservation. Both sides also agreed to organize cultural festivals for showcasing their rich heritage in each other’s country. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the setting up of a Hindi Chair in the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmamed Azadi in Ashgabat. The Turkmen side agreed to take forward a proposal from the Indian side to establish an Urdu Chair in one of the higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan.

Dr Singh and Mr Berdimuhamedov agreed on the existence of significant potential in terms of increasing trade volumes between the two countries. They agreed that the Governments and the Chambers of Commerce & Industry need to take necessary measures to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

A joint study by designated agencies of the two Governments and Chambers of Commerce & Industry was recommended with a view to identify measures, which would deepen economic engagement.

The two sides signed an Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation which is expected to pave the way for enhanced economic engagement.

India offered complimentary exhibition space to Turkmenistan in the India International Trade Fair in 2010 for promoting their products and services in India. The Turkmen side, on its part, offered to facilitate the organisation of an exclusive Indian exhibition in Ashgabat.

The two leades hoped there would be increased cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector, especially joint projects in the oil and gas sector.

They hoped that the discussions on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project would continue with a view to realize it early.

To intensify economic engagement and extend cooperation in areas in which India had gained considerable expertise, the Indian side proposed to conduct a feasibility study on setting up a gas-based fertilizer plant in Turkmenistan. The Turkmenistan side agreed to take forward this proposal.

The two countries signed an Education Exchange Programme and an Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology. Among other things, these would facilitate interactions in the spheres of science and technology, organizing visits of students and faculties, development of links between educational and scientific institutions and implementation of joint scientific and research projects.

The two sides welcomed the establishment of an Information Technology Centre in Ashgabat with India’s developmental and technical support.

Dr Singh and Mr Berdimuhamedov reviwed the functioning of the bilateral mechanisms for cooperation and discussed new areas for intensifying relations. The two sides appreciated the role of the India-Turkmenistan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in enhancing trade and economic cooperation as well as cultural relations.

The two countries signed an Agreement on Exemption of Visa Requirements for holders of Diplomatic Passports.

They agreed to work together on all issues related to United Nations reforms. The Turkmen side expressed support for India’s candidature for the non-permanent seat of UN Security Council for 2011-12.

The Indian side appreciated initiatives of Turkmenistan in the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for the Countries of Central Asia in Ashgabat. The Indian side also appreciated the resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan in the UNGA, on safety and security of energy transit routes and also the organization of a high level conference on the subject in Ashgabat.

NNN