India and Turkmenistan Bilateral Meeting

In News 

• Recently, the Indian President for the first time visited Turkmenistan, where he signed four agreements, including in financial intelligence and disaster management and agreed to expand bilateral trade and energy cooperation to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership.

Major Highlights 

• The following MoUs and Agreements were signed in the presence of the two Presidents:
  • Memorandum of Understanding between the Financial Monitoring Service at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and Financial Intelligence Unit of India.
  •  Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.
  • Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India in the fields of Culture and Arts for the period 2022-2025.
  • Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Government of Republic of India on Cooperation in Youth Matters.
• Both sides underlined the importance of regular contacts at the highest levels for further strengthening of bilateral relations and identifying priorities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
• The two Leaders emphasised that one of the main tasks facing the world at present is to consolidate efforts in a timely, effective and transparent manner to prevent outbreaks of pandemics. 
• The Sides expressed interest in increasing cooperation in various sectors and identified energy, petrochemicals, transport, communications, information and technology, textile, leather and footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, construction, agriculture & agro-processing, gems and jewellery etc. as potential areas for greater cooperation between the two countries.
• The Presidents noted the importance of cooperation in the energy sector. 
  • In this context, the Turkmen side highlighted the benefits of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project for the economic development of the region and agreed to examine India’s proposals of ensuring integrity, safety and security of the project by integrating “the Business Principles” in various Agreements pertaining to TAPI gas pipeline project.
• They underlined that cooperation in the field of transport and connectivity is essential to the development of economic partnership between Turkmenistan and India. 
  • They emphasised on the importance of International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Ashgabat Agreement on the Establishment of an International Transport and Transit Corridor and other regional transport corridors in this context. 
• The Sides reiterated their commitment to strengthen regional as well as multilateral cooperation, including through enhanced interaction in the United Nations and other regional and international organisations to which they are members. 

Bilateral Relations 

• Historical ties:
  • India enjoys close, friendly and historical ties with Turkmenistan.
    • Archaeological finds in south Turkmenistan have revealed contacts with the Indus Valley Civilization. 
    • Vessels believed to have been used for preparation of Soma drink (mentioned in Rig Veda) found in the ruins of Gonur Depe archeological site in Mary province supports the theory of early civilizational links between the two countries. 
    • Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts, coins and Buddha statues found in the ruins of Merv (present-day Mary city) suggest continuity of cultural and trade linkages. 
    • ‘Turkmen Gate’ built in Delhi in memory of great Turkmen Saint Shams-ul-Arifeen Shah Turkmen Bayabani, who is believed to have lived in India during the 13th Century, bears testimony to this friendship. 
• Institutional mechanisms: 
  • Institutional mechanisms between the two governments, namely Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) further buttress bilateral cooperation. The last FOC was held in January 2021 and the last IGC was held in August 2017.
    • India and Turkmenistan cooperate under the India-Central Asia Dialogue mechanism as well, the last iteration of which was held in December 2021.
  • India has offered a line of credit worth USD 1 billion to Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan,.
• Strategically: 
  • Turkmenistan is also strategically placed in Central Asia and connectivity is something on which we feel a partnership with Turkmenistan will pay dividends. 
    • The Chabahar port built by India in Iran could be used to improve trade between India and Central Asia.
• Culture: 
  • Indian Cinema and TV serials are popular with Turkmen people.
  • Similarly, Indian music also holds a special place in the hearts of Turkmen people. 
  • Indian film festivals are held on a regular basis in different cities in Turkmenistan. 
    •  An Indian Tabla group visited Turkmenistan for participation in the International Scientific Conference and festival “Ancient Cradle of Musical Art” organised by the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan in April, 2018.

• Traditional Medicine and Yoga Centre: 
  • Central Asia’s first Yoga and Traditional Medicine Centre was inaugurated by Hon’ble PM of India in Ashgabat in July 2015. 
  • Yoga Teacher and Ayurveda Expert have been deputed to the centre from India and offer classes / consultations to interested people.

• Education: 
  • India provides training for Turkmen nationals under its ITEC programme. Since the inception of the programme for Turkmenistan in 1994, over 400 Turkmen nationals have been trained in various courses. 
  • In addition, India provides ICCR Scholarships to students from Turkmenistan to pursue graduation, post-graduation and Ph. D.   
  • In 2010, a Hindi Chair was established by India in Azadi Institute of World languages, Ashgabat where Hindi is being taught to university students. 
• Indian community in Turkmenistan: 
  • There are very few Indian nationals in Turkmenistan. Most are semi-skilled workers employed in the construction sector. 
  • There are also a few engineers, professionals and technicians working in the oil and gas sector. There are no Indian Associations or Indian students in Turkmenistan. 

Source:IE