|
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.
|
