State Visit of President of India to Turkmenistan

State Visit of President of India to Turkmenistan

News: 4 agreements were signed, including in financial intelligence and disaster management when Indian President visited Turkmenistan for the first time.

What was discussed during the meet?
•  Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline was on the agenda as India suggested measures related to security of pipeline.
•  India highlighted the importance of International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit Corridor.
•  The Leaders called for deepening of cooperation in the education sector between the two countries and to develop direct contacts between leading higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan and India.
•  India expressed its readiness to partner with Turkmenistan in its drive towards digitalisation and noted that Space can be another area of mutually beneficial co-operation.
•  Sectors that were identified as areas of cooperation between the two nations include energy, petrochemicals, transport, communication, textile, leather and footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals. 

Way Forward:
•  Turkmenistan offers India a very good opportunity to strengthen economic presence in the nation, especially in the ICT sector.
•  Turkmenistan also support’s India’s permanent position in the UN Security Council.
•  With its strategic location in Central Asia and the opportunity it provides in connectivity is something on which India feel a partnership with Turkmenistan can be useful in the long run.