INDIA - TURKMENISTAN RELATIONS: TWO DECADES

OF DIPLOMATIC TIES

 Inaugural speech by Shri E. Ahamed, Hon'ble MPS (EA)

•        Excellency Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Mr. Durdyev

•        Ambassador Soni

•        Ambassador Afzal

•        Professor Nirmala Joshi

•        Distinguished guests

•        Ladies & Gentlemen

I am delighted to be here to inaugurate this event which marks the 20^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan. I compliment the Embassy of Turkmenistan, the Indo-Turkmen Friendship Society and the Centre of Advanced Regional Studies Parathethys in taking this initiative in organizing this event.

It is well-known that India and Turkmenistan have shared close, historical and civilization ties. We had close links with the present-day Turkmenistan during the Kushan Empire. The 'Silk Route' connected us in the past. Bairam Khan, who was the mentor of Emperor Akbar, was a Turkmen. His illustrious poet son Abdul Rahim Khan-e-khana contributed the Court of Emperor Akbar. The Turkmen Gate', built in 1650s in Delhi to honour Turkmen soldiers serving in the Mughal Army, testifies to a centuries-old relationship between our two countries.

I am fortunate to have visited Turkmenistan thrice; the first visit was in October 2006 as the Co-Chair of the Joint Commission, the second time in February 2007 to felicitate President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on his assumption of office, and the third visit was in April 2008 as part of Hon'ble Vice President of India's delegation to Turkmenistan. We remember and value the Turkmen President's visit to India in May 2010. Allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate once again President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on his re-election with a massive mandate earlier this year.

In presence of such a distinguished audience here let me highlight some important aspects which can help us to raise our bilateral relationship with Turkmenistan to a much higher pedestal in the years ahead:

i) The proposed TAPI gas pipeline which aims to bring Turkmen gas
to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan is an ambitious project.
Once completed, the project could change the entire region.
There has been remarkable progress on the project till date.
TAPI gas pipeline project has been described by our Hon'ble
Prime Minister as the 'Pipeline of Peace'. The implementation of TAPI
project will bring Central Asia and South Asia much closer in an enduring energy partnership for peace, development and prosperity of the peoples of the region.

ii)      Ashgabat is witnessing a construction boom. There are vast
opportunities for Indian construction companies in
Turkmenistan. We would certainly like our construction
companies to become partners in infrastructural development of
Turkmenistan.

iii)     India and Turkmenistan have an annual trade turnover limited to
about US $ 50-60 million. India exports pharmaceutical drugs,
tyres, buffalo meat, electrical goods, etc. to Turkmenistan and
imports raw hides & skin, iodine etc. from there. Our trade
turnover is much below its potential. The Ministry of External
Affairs is committed to give boost to the bilateral trade. I would
also like various trade bodies like СП, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and
India-CIS Chambers of Commerce to mount business
delegations to Turkmenistan so as to expand our bilateral trade
basket.

iv)     I am happy to note that an India-Turkmenistan IT Centre was
inaugurated in October last and that this Centre has started
conducting various IT courses for the students of Magtamguly
University. India, being a major IT, would be happy to share its
expertise for the development of information & communication
technology, telecommunication network, e-governance, etc.
with Turkmenistan.

v)      Turkmenistan has great potential for tourism with the creation of
National Tourist Zone of Avaza on the Caspian coast. We would
be happy to see an increase in the two -way tourists' movement.

vi)     We are happy at the implementation of North-South Railway
Corridor Project, expected to be completed next year,
connecting Turkmenistan with Iran and Kazakhstan. On our
part, we have also revived our efforts to increase connectivity
with Central Asia through International North-South Transport
Corridor. Increase connectivity in this region will benefit both
India and Turkmenistan and will also boost bilateral trade.

vii)    We are committed to the human resource development of
friendly country Turkmenistan through our ITEC and ICCR
scholarships. We are ready to increase cooperation in this field.

viii)   India cooperates with Turkmenistan at various international fora
including the UN. We highly value the support extended by
Turkmenistan for our candidature for a permanent seat at the
expanded United Nations Security Council.

To conclude, I would like to say that we are determined in strengthening our ties with Turkmenistan, matching our historical ties, in the contemporary era. At the same time, our Ministry of External Affairs would welcome your ideas, suggestions and comments to deepen and widen our ties with Turkmenistan.

I wish this event a huge success.

Thank you.

FOURTH BRICS SUMMIT

NEW DELHI

29 March 2012

BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity

Function in Ashgabat [President Hotel ; Saturday, 10 September 2011]

Excellencies and Dear Guests,

   Thank you very much for your presence here as we celebrate India's 65th Independence Day.

   We are truly honoured to have in our midst H.E. Mr. Baymurad Khodjamukhamedov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers.

   Let me share a secret. You are aware that Ambassadors are not supposed to meet dignitaries in the countries of their posting till credentials are presented. I met the Excellency on my very first working day in Ashgabat. I consider myself fortunate that I have known the Excellency since May 2010 when the esteemed President of Turkmenistan visited India on a State visit. I would like to thank the Excellency, Mr. Khodjamukhamedov for his gracing this occasion. We are also honoured to have here H.E. Mr. B. Nedirov, Minister of Oil/Gas of Turkmenistan.

   On behalf of all guests present here, I would like to convey our greetings and best wishes to the people of Turkmenistan as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their independence.

   The 65th Indian Independence Day and the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence this year are no indication of historically close and warm ties existing between our two countries.

   The historic city of Nissa had its links with Mohenjo-daro and Harappa ancient cities of Indus Valley civilisation. In Mary, a Buddha stupa was found, reaffirming that the Lord Buddha's message of compassion, peace and harmony found its acceptance in this land of Turkmenistan. The Silk Road has connected us in the past as does the internet today. In South East corner of LEBAP province at Hojapil, the locals told me about the footprints of elephants of Alexander the Great as they marched to India.

   Indian films and songs have found place in the hearts and minds of our friends in Turkmenistan. In Delhi, where I come from, we have a TURKMAN GATE, built 350 years ago, to honour Turkmen soldiers who served in Moghul Army in India. Bairam Khan and Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana are respected equally in both countries.

   In contemporary times, we are trying to address present needs and aspirations to the advantage of our two people in a meaningful and substantial way.

   TAPI gas pipeline Project, which is expected to be operational by 2017, is an obvious example of these efforts. The Project has seen remarkable progress since August 2010. Due to the dynamic vision and leadership of H.E. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the first TAPI Summit was held in Ashgabat in December 2010. We are having TAPI meeting every month, if not more, to make good progress on the project. Insaallah, next TAPI Ministerial meeting will be held soon in Ashgabat to conclude the Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement.

Excellencies and Dear Guests,

   India is known for its Information Technology skills. We are working with Magtumguly University to set up an IT Centre here. This will help two sides to work closely in this area.

   We have also made good progress in promoting cultural and educational ties. We have a Hindi Professor at Azady Institute since last year. Some Turkmen students visit India for higher studies. A Bollywood troupe would entertain the people of Ashgabat next month during the Independence Day celebrations.

   However, we lack on one front, that is, bilateral trade. Our annual trade is only 50 million dollars. Some efforts are being made to increase trade volume. I am happy to say that the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry would be participating, for the first time, in the India International Trade Fair in Delhi this year. Hopefully, many Indians will see and feel the marvellous and world-reputed Turkmen wool and silk carpets.

Excellencies and Dear Guests,

   Today, we are making a humble effort to provide you with Indian food. I hope you will like and enjoy it. I would like to thank our Indian company, PAMPOSH, for making this possible.

   India has the biggest democracy in the world. It is, at times, chaotic and noisy but it functions. Our annual economic growth has been consistent at 8%. Our freedom struggle was non-violent in nature, under the leadership of Mahatama Gandhi. While we are proud of our democracy, we do not wish to export it elsewhere. It is our popular culture that has found acceptance all over the world - whether it is Indian films, Indian curry and cuisines, Indian yoga and meditation.

   Towards the end, let me share a joke about the popularity of Indian food. When the American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, landed on the moon, he was welcomed by an Indian who offered him hot chai and samosa. The American was surprised to find another human there as he had mistakenly thought himself to be the first man on the moon. He asked the Indian when did he come to the moon. The Indian replied that he came straight to the moon after the partition of India in 1947. While Neil Armstrong had to go all the way to the moon to enjoy Indian food, all of you are lucky to have it here itself in Ashgabat. Should you like to taste more variety of Indian food, we have 8 flights a week from Ashgabat to India.

   I would like to thank you once again for your presence.

   Thank you.

Briefly about India:

Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometers (4,671 mi). It borders Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma) to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.

Home to the Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated here, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and shaped the region's diverse culture.

India has the world's twelfth largest economy at market exchange rates and the fourth largest in purchasing power. Economic reforms have transformed it into the second fastest growing large economy. A pluralistic, multilingual, and multiethnic society, India is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.