President of Turkmenistan and Indian Ambassador consider TAPI project implementation and priorities of bilateral cooperation

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has received newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Turkmenistan Azar Abul Hasan Khan, who presented his credentials to the head of state.

The diplomat conveyed greetings to the Turkmen leader from President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had expressed their readiness to boost the constructive Turkmen-Indian dialogue in all key areas. As noted, India highly values and supports the policy of peace pursued by the President of Turkmenistan in the interests of well-being and progress in the region and throughout the world.

The head of Turkmenistan sent his best wishes to the friendly country’s top leadership and congratulated the diplomat on his appointment to the post of responsibility, having wished him much success in his work, aimed at enhancing the mutually rewarding partnership.

Stressing Turkmenistan’s special interest in strengthening traditional cooperation with South Asian countries, particularly with India, a strategic partner in the implementation of major projects of regional significance, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has stated that cooperation between our countries is taking on qualitatively new meaning, given present-day demands and mutual interests.

In this context, emphasis was placed on the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, aimed to significantly contribute to sustainable socio-economic development of Asian countries, and on the whole to increase global energy security.

Having noted with satisfaction the increasingly rapid development of interstate dialogue for years, the President of Turkmenistan and the friendly country’s ambassador highlighted the role of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Indian Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation. The parties also stressed the need to continue holding different-level bilateral meetings to identify priorities of partnership, built on the basis of mutual advantage and equitable benefits.

The parties also spoke for combining efforts in the energy and transport sectors, where Turkmenistan had introduced constructive initiatives, in particular the ones on building international transit-transport corridors to ensure economically advantageous routes for freight transportation.

The parties shared an opinion that the traditional cultural-humanitarian ties were and will be the integral part of bilateral ties. Held on a regular basis, Culture Days, exchanges of delegations, scientific and artistic forums importantly contribute to closer relations between the countries.

The opening of the Yoga Center and Traditional Medicine Center, and the erection of the monument to the spiritual leader of the Indian nation Mahatma Gandhi are a remarkable testament to the friendship and brotherly relations between our peoples.

The diplomat expressed his gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his care and attention to the issues of Turkmen-Indian cooperation and emphasized that he is highly honored to represent his country in Turkmenistan. Ambassador Azar Abul Hasan Khan assured that he would dedicate his energy and time to further strengthen the interstate relations.