Shri Rajesh Uike, Director (XPD): Good afternoon everyone. I’m Rajesh Uike, Director (XPD), MEA. I welcome you all to this special media briefing during the state visit of Honourable President to Turkmenistan, and for that, I have pleasure to introduce, sitting on the dais, Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West); Press Secretary to Honourable President, Shri Ajay Kumar Singh; Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan, Dr. Vidhu P. Nair; and Joint Secretary, Shri Bandaru Wilsonbabu. Now I would request Secretary Sir to brief about the visit.
Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West): Thank you Rajesh. Very good afternoon, Namaskar. As you know, Honourable Rashtrapati Ji’s visit to Turkmenistan is not only the first visit by an Indian President to this country, but it is also the first visit hosted by the newly elected President of Turkmenistan, His Excellency Serdar Berdimuhamedow and it is also a visit which comes at a time when we celebrate 75 years of Indian independence, Turkmenistan celebrates 30 years of its independence, and together both of our countries marked 30 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two great countries. Yesterday, the two Presidents had a tete-a-tete which was a private conversation followed by delegation level talks. The morning discussions, the talk and the delegation level engagements were personified by the traditional spirit of friendship and mutual understanding which has characterized our relationship over the last three decades. The leaders discussed several issues of bilateral, regional and international concern and also looked at issues under the newly established India-Central Asia Summit framework.
The leaders noted that the bilateral trade between two countries which currently stands at less than US $100 million is not living up to its potential. A lot more has to be done. And towards this end, it was felt and the leadership guided us that business communities need to engage more, we need to engage in each other's markets, and also do so under the framework of the India - Central Asia Business Council. The leaders also noted that the connectivity for commercial and other purposes is extremely important and critical. We need to further engage with Turkmenistan, which is strategically located in this part of the world and we have to highlight the opportunities which arise of this strategic location and for that reason, the significance of international North South transport corridor, the Ashgabat agreement and the Chabahar port in Iran to increase trade between India and Turkmenistan was discussed.
Cooperation in the energy sector was one of the key areas of discussion. On the TAPI pipeline project, which is of interest, particularly to our hosts, Rashtrapati Ji suggested that issues related to security of the pipeline and key business principle should be addressed in technical and expert level meetings of the stakeholders. Rashtrapati Ji emphasized that closer bilateral cooperation for effective management of Covid pandemic and proposed that mutual recognition of Covid vaccination certificates for both countries would facilitate travel between the two nations. The discussions also focused on cooperation in the multilateral fora including the United Nations. Rashtrapati Ji thanked Turkmenistan for its support to India's permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council, as well as India's initiatives as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the period 2021 -22. Afghanistan was discussed. India and Turkmenistan shared a broad regional consensus which includes formation of a truly representative and inclusive government, combating terrorism, drug trafficking, preserving the rights of women, children and minorities. Rashtrapati Ji referred to India's offer of a line of credit worth US $1 billion for the Central Asian countries and the MOU for implementation of high impact community development projects in Turkmenistan signed in July 2021. He encouraged Turkmenistan to share specific proposals for early implementation. Rashtrapati Ji also offered to increase ICCR and ITEC slots for Turkmenistan. The talks were followed by signing of four MOUs in the field of culture and art, disaster management, youth matters and financial Intelligence. A joint statement adopted by the two leaders has been uploaded onto the MEA website.
Rashtrapati Ji extended an invitation to the President of Turkmenistan to visit India on a mutually convenient date in due course. Rashtrapati Ji laid wreath at the Kipchak mausoleum where the first President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov was laid to rest. He also laid a wreath at the Independence Monument of Turkmenistan and planted a sapling to represent India-Turkmenistan friendship in the alley of honoured guests. Rashtrapati Ji accompanied by Minister of State Shri L. Murugan and Honourable Member of Parliament Shri Dilip Ghosh later interacted with the Turkmen alumni of ITEC and ICCR as well as several friends of India. Rashtrapati Ji attended a state banquet hosted by President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and the first lady of Turkmenistan. On the menu were also nostalgic Bollywood tunes, including from early Raj Kapoor films. Today Rashtrapati Ji laid a wreath at the People's Memory Complex which honours Turkmens who lost their lives in World War II and the 1948 earthquake. Rashtrapati Ji also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s bust at Bagtyyarlyk Sports Complex, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Modi Ji in 2015. Rashtrapati Ji planted a sapling there and also witnessed a yoga demonstration by Turkmen nationals.
Rashtrapati Ji delivered a speech on India's foreign policy at the prestigious Turkmen Institute of International Relations. A postal stamp marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of India Turkmenistan diplomatic relations was issued on this occasion. At the institute, Rashtrapati Ji also inaugurated an India center which would be a resource center with books and information on India. And this was the first India center of its kind in Turkmenistan. This afternoon, Rashtrapati Ji will visit the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Center and the Magtymguly theatre to witness an Indian themed cultural performance by Turkmen artists. Tomorrow morning, Rashtrapati Ji and his delegation will depart onward for the state visit to Netherlands. In conclusion, this visit of Honorable Rashtrapati Ji to Turkmenistan, a country in our extended neighbourhood, has consolidated our long standing friendly bilateral relations, and has also added impetus to further our multi-faceted partnership. These were the opening remarks about the visit.
As you would have noticed, friends from the media who are covering the visit, that this is indeed a historic moment, the timing of the visit and the special gestures extended by the host, by the President, the First Lady of Turkmenistan, and the care and attention which our delegation has been receiving at every stop of the visit. And just this morning, while we were at the Institute of Foreign Relations, the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan has also offered that they would like to receive and host an Indian Cultural Center in Turkmenistan, which will be one of the only two cultural centers existing in this country. And this was received by Rashtrapati Ji with enthusiasm and he has directed us that we implement this invitation from the Turkmeni side as soon as possible. Several sectors were discussed during this visit - energy of course, as mentioned, also pharmaceutical, education sector, as well as increasing investments in each other's countries, pharmaceuticals downstream in the petroleum and natural gas sector and connectivity. I conclude my remarks here and if there are questions, I will be assisted by Ambassador Vidhu Nair as well as the Press Secretary Shri Ajay Singh on any queries or questions you may have coming out of this visit. Thank you.
Vishal: Sir, I’m Vishal from DD News. Sir yesterday, the President has said that India stands at number four position as far as the petrochemical (inaudible) is concerned and Turkmenistan also has the natural gift. So any word from Turkmenistan side as to how and when to create (inaudible), they will try to use this expertise because it would also raise our mutual trade, which is only 100 million dollar.
Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West): Well, as I mentioned, there was a suggestion from our side and Rashtrapati Ji drew the attention of our hosts that India has certain strengths in the petrochemical sectors. The very fact that our biggest item of exports in the $400 billion is petrochemical products, because we have some of the world's leading refining capacities which can tackle any grade of crude oil. So, that was the suggestion made in line of our strength. And as you will appreciate, that Rashtrapati Ji’s visit, the theme, the focus, is signalling the larger interests and showing the direction forward. And taking that forward, Turkmeni hosts were receptive to the suggestion, but it would be for them to propose how they would like to receive our expertise in the petrochemical downstream sector.
Speaker 1: Sir, TAPI issue was also discussed, but as the President said that the T and I have no issues, but it is the two other countries. So, what was the reaction of Turkmenistan, especially this pipeline is concerned?
Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West): Sure, I will request my colleague, our Ambassador in Ashgabat, Ambassador Vidhu Nair if you would like to take this question.
Shri Vidhu P. Nair, Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan: Of course, the Turkmenistan government is very confident that they can complete the pipeline. They are in constant discussions with the Afghan government, because they claim that the pipeline has been completed till the border between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. So, they have to start constructing the Afghan sector and simultaneously they are also in touch with the Pakistani government as per the reports that are made available to us. We are of course, in constant engagement with them. We have been repeatedly mentioning that in order to sustain our growth momentum, we would require energy and we are diversifying our energy basket and we have the interest and there is commitment from our side to purchase the Turkmen gas. Of course, there are issues related to the key business principles and issues such as the gas prices, etc., which need to be resolved at the technical level meetings which are going on and the Turkmen side is quite receptive to it and in fact, they have assured us that these issues would be addressed in the forthcoming meetings.
Shri Rajesh Uike, Director (XPD): I think there are no more questions. Sir with your permission, I would like to conclude this Special Media Briefing. Thank you, Sir. Thank you everyone.