Overview of India – Turkmenistan relationship

     India and Turkmenistan enjoy very friendly relations and share historical and cultural links. Archaeological finds in Altyn-Depe, not far from Ashgabat, have revealed contacts between the cities of Indus Valley civilisation and the Bronze Age settlements in the South of Turkmenistan. These discoveries also indicate the close cultural links that existed between the people of Indian sub-continent and the region of present day Turkmenistan during the Kushan Empire. Indian traders knew Turkmenistan since it lay on the famous silk route. Bairam Khan, the mentor of King Akbar was a Turkmen and represents the link between India and Turkmenistan. His son, Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khana, a renowned philosopher and poet was one of the Navratnas in the Court of Akbar. The presence of Turkmen Gate in Delhi also testifies the age old links between India and Turkmenistan.
 
     India recognized Turkmenistan on 26th December 1991. Diplomatic and consular relations were established on 20 April 1992. India opened its Embassy in Ashgabat on 30th January 1994.

Exchange of visits:

     India was having contacts with Turkmenistan before it achieved its independence from the erstwhile USSR on 27 October 1991. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru accompanied by Smt. Indira Gandhi visited Ashgabat on 14 June 1955 on his way to Tashkent. However, the goodwill for India could not be translated into economic advantage after Turkmenistan gained independence as it was preoccupied with strengthening the security apparatus of the country and consolidating the State. The foundation of vibrant relations between the two countries was laid with the visit of Late Turkmen President H.E. Saparmurat Niyazov to India in April 1992 followed by a second visit in February 1997. Indian Prime Minister Shri. P.V. Narasimha Rao also paid an official visit to Turkmenistan in 1995 during which several agreements on bilateral cooperation were signed. Former Vice President, Shri. Krishan Kant and Shri. B.S. Shekhawat transited through Ashgabat on 31 August 1999 and 1 October 2005 respectively. Apart from this, there have been regular ministerial visits from both sides.

     The visit of former EAM, Shri Jaswant Singh to Ashgabat on 20-23 May 1999 gave a further impetus to the growing relations. The two sides agreed to form a Working Group on Energy. A Protocol for consultations at the Foreign Minister’s level was signed during the visit. The then Turkmenistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Boris Shikhmuradov, visited India for FM-level consultations in April 2000. Foreign Office consultations between the two countries were held in Dec ’02 and Oct ’05. This paved the way for holding the First Inter Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation led by Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri. E. Ahamed which was held in Ashgabat during 1-3 October 2006. The first meeting of Joint Working Group on Energy was held on the sidelines of the IGC. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.Rashid Meredov visited India to co-chair the Second Inter Governmental Commission (IGC) meeting on 21-22 January 2008. Ministers of Trade, Culture, Education, Environment and Oil and Gas also participated in the IGC in New Delhi.

Other important ministerial visits: Shri. Som Pal, MOS (Agriculture) visited Turkmenistan in December 1998 to participate in the inauguration of the pharmaceutical plant J/V set up by Turkmenistan and Ajanta Pharma Ltd India. Shri. Ananth Kumar, Minister of Tourism and Culture led an official delegation in September 2000 to participate in the Days of Indian Culture in Turkmenistan in connection with 500th anniversary of Bairam Khan Celebrations. Shri Dinsha Patel, MOS (PNG) visited Ashgabat from 13-15 February 2006 to attend the 9th steering committee of TAP gas pipeline. Following the demise of President Niyazov on 21 December 2006, India’s Minister for Water Resources Shri Saifuddin Soz visited Ashgabat to attend the funeral from 23-25 December 2006. India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed again visited Ashgabat and led a delegation on 14 February 2007 to attend the inaugural ceremony of new President of Turkmenistan. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Murli Deora, along with Secretary Petroleum and Head of ONGC, IOC and OVL had a transit halt in Ashgabat during which he met the Head of State Agency for Hydrocarbon resources Mr. Bairamurat Muradov on 25 November 2007 en route to Moscow.

Trade and Economic Relations:

The bilateral trade between India and Turkmenistan continues to be on the upswing. During the year 2006-07, the total turnover was to the tune of US$ 45.69 million as compared to US$ 31.18 million in 2005-06. (statistics from Government of India sources)

Total trade turnover/export/import

Export from India to Turkmenistan

Export from Turkmenistan to India

The 1st meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) was held in Ashgabat on 2-3 October 2006. Shri E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs and co-chair of the India-Turkmenistan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade-Economic Scientific and Technological Cooperation led the Indian delegation and  was accompanied by a high level delegation with representatives from Ministries of External Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Departments of Commerce and Science and Technology, State Trading Corporation and Public Sector Oil and Gas companies, namely ONGC Videsh and Gail India Limited.  Shri Ahamed had extensive discussions with his counterpart on all aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as issues of regional cooperation such as India’s participation in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project. The JWG on Hydrocarbons discussed possible areas of bilateral cooperation such as India’s interest in participation in the offshore Caspian blocks of Turkmenistan.
 The Second meeting of the IGC was held in New Delhi during 21-22 January 2008. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Rashid Meredov, along with Ministers of Culture, Education, Economy, Environment and Oil and Gas, visited India to participate in the Second IGC meeting. A protocol specifying time bound cooperation in various spheres was signed between the two sides.

Details of Indian Credit Lines/Official Assistance

India has extended two lines of credit – one of US$ 5 million and the other of US$ 10 million. One joint venture ‘Turkmenderman-Ajanta Pharma Ltd’ has been functioning in Ashgabat since its establishment in December 1998 by utilising the first line of credit.  This joint venture has been set up with the participation of Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Indian firm Ajanta Pharma Ltd.’ It has an ultra-modern plant and manufactures 70 different types of medicines. All the products manufactured by this joint venture are very popular in Turkmenistan. The initial capital has been repaid. Out of the second line of credit US$2.3 million is utilised in the areas of food processing, juice making and wool processing.

Important Bilateral Treaties and Agreements, with brief notes

# A Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement was signed between the two countries on 20 September 1995. The Instruments of Ratification were exchanged on 27 February 2006 and thus the Agreement has come into force from the said date.

# Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital was signed in February 1997 and has been operational since July 2002.

# An agreement was signed in Ashgabat in September 1996 between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Indian-CIS Chamber of Commerce and Industry to develop cooperation between the economic, commercial and financial organizations of the two countries

# An MOU relating to air services operation between the two countries was signed on 7 February 2000 giving Turkmenistan Airlines the rights to fly to Amritsar and Delhi. Presently, Turkmenistan is operating eight flights every week to Amritsar/Delhi. The Indian sectors are the most profitable for the Turkmen Airlines. Turkmen Airlines have plans to fly from Ashgabat to Ahmedabad in near future.

# India and Turkmenistan are working on an agreement concerning treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Cooperation in the Energy Sector:

 The presence of significant reserves of hydrocarbons in Turkmenistan and the Indian economy’s requirement of the same, can serve as the basis for further development of such cooperation. Towards this end, both sides realize the significance of mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Turkmenistan in the Hydrocarbon sector and the willingness for its expansion. In this context, the Indian decision to join the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project is a positive development.  Both sides held the first Joint Working Group (JWG) on Hydrocarbons in Ashgabat on 2nd October 2006.
 In June 2007 Turkmenistan gave its consent for Indian’s inclusion in the TAP (Turkmenistan –Afghanistan-Pakistan) natural gas pipeline project. OMEL (Joint Venture between ONGC and Mittal Group) bought 30% stake in two Caspian blocks (Block 11 &12) and got the license in September 2007.
 Indian PNG Minister along with Secretary Petroleum and Head of ONGC, IOC and OVL had a meeting with the Head of State Agency for Hydrocarbon resources Mr. Bairamurat Muradov on 25 November 2007 en route to Moscow. A three pronged approach was decided about India’s participation in Turkmen energy sphere. (1) PSA (Profit sharing agreements) in Caspian blocks (2) service contracts for onshore projects (PSA is not allowed for onshore activities) (3) TAPI.
In pursuance of this agenda a 4-member OVL team visited Ashgabat on 14-15 January 2008. They held meetings with Minister of Oil and Gas, Executive Director of Turkmen State Agency for Management and Uses of Hydrocarbon Resources and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Tachberdy Tagiyev. They also held meetings with Geophysics and Geological experts.  Turkmen side gave a presentation on the offshore exploration blocks and procedures to apply for licence in the Caspian offshore blocks.  The OVL team also gave presentation underlining the capability, technical expertise and willingness to participate in the Turkmen hydrocarbon spheres.

Cooperation in Science and Technology:

 The Turkmen-Indian Industrial Training Centre has been functioning since December 2002. Machine tools worth over half a million US dollars have been gifted to the Centre by the Government of India under ITEC programme. The training Centre is equipped with all facilities for training in basic skills, manufacturing of tools and products required by various industries.

 In pursuance of the 1st meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission, the Indian side has offered to establish an India-Turkmenistan Centre for Information Technology (ITCIT) in Ashgabat for which details are being worked out.
 The draft of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Turkmenistan was discussed during the meeting and both sides stressed on the necessity to conclude the above mentioned document through diplomatic channels.  Both sides agreed to enhance the participation of Turkmen representatives in the courses organised by the Government of India within the framework of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in the fields of Computer Technology, Software, Financial Management, Urban Infrastructure Planning, Accountancy, Educational Planning and Management, Legislative activities, English language, etc and expressed interest in undertaking joint research and studies related to seismic and earthquake problems, demineralization and desalination of water and ecology of deserts and seas. Both sides agreed to collaborate on geophysical methods of interpretation and seismicity under themes like earthquake geology, earthquake hazards, strong motion seismology, site response and ground motion, and regional and whole earth structures, etc. Applications of solar energy, remote sensing, scientific instrumentation and technology transfer from research institutes to industries were considered as other areas of cooperation by both sides. Both sides agreed to initiate suitable joint programmes of bilateral interests to combat desertification and cultivation thereof in such zones of India and Turkmenistan through specialised agencies on both sides.

233 Turkmen nationals have availed training facilities under this programme since 1991. 30 slots per annum are allotted to Turkmenistan under the programme.

Cooperation in the sphere of Culture:

 India and Turkmenistan share ancient cultural ties. There is admiration for India and respect for India’s rich cultural diversity. Indian films are very popular in Turkmenistan and are shown every week on Turkmen channels. Verses from Turkmen national poet Magtumguly are often quoted to eulogise India and Indian Culture.

 The draft CEP for the year 2008-10 is in the final stage and is likely to be signed soon.
 
In August and September 2000, ‘Days of Turkmen Culture in India’ and ‘Days of Indian Culture in Turkmenistan’ were held.  Turkmen Minister of Culture, Orazgeldy Aydogdiev, led Turkmen Cultural delegation to India.  The Indian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Anant Kumar, led the Indian delegation and inaugurated the days of Indian culture in Turkmenistan as well as a Manuscript exhibition on Bairam Khan.  The exhibits were gifted to the Turkmenistan side. An Indian cultural troupe of Bhangra and Giddha dancers visited Turkmenistan during the Days of Indian Culture.
A dance troupe of 18 Turkmen artistes visited India in September 2003 at the invitation of the ICCR. It performed in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun and Mussorie.
A bhangra and giddha group of 10 members, partially sponsored by ICCR visited Ashgabat on the occasion of Indian Independence Day celebration in mid August 2005.
A 17 member troupe from Jammu and Kashmir visited Ashgabat during 21-28 October 2006 upon the invitation of Turkmen government to perform during the 15th Anniversary of Independence. The troupe was fully sponsored by ICCR.

Government of India provides 8 scholarships every year under the General Cultural Scholarship Scheme. In addition, one slot for learning Hindi at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra is also allotted to Turkmen students.

Bilateral Visits

Visits from India to Turkmenistan

Visits from Turkmenistan to India

Agreements signed between India and Turkmenistan