On July 11, the Turkmen capital hosted the talks between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi who had arrived in our country on an official visit. An official arrival ceremony of the high guest was held in the Independence Square, where the head of state warmly welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited to our country also attended the arrival ceremony. Then, the Turkmen leader and the eminent guest proceeded to the Palace of Ambassadors to hold the talks in the “Blue” Hall in the one-to-one format. During the talks, conducted in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and businesslike, constructive spirit, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the high guest gave consideration to a wide spectrum of issues of the Turkmen-Indian cooperation, concretized its priority areas in the context of the present-day trends and future prospects. Having confirmed reciprocal intention of Turkmenistan and the Republic of India to develop full-scale partnership, the interlocutors have sorted out the fuel and energy complex, transport, trade-economic sphere, and a number of other sectors among the priority areas of interaction. Stressing the importance of the traditional humanitarian relations, the head of Turkmenistan and the head of the government of India spoke for further strengthening fruitful contacts in the fields of education, science and culture. In the course of meeting, the parties also exchanged opinions on a number of topical issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest. Then, the enlarged talks were held in the “Ak Pagta” Hall with participation of the government delegations of Turkmenistan and the Republic of India. Once again warmly welcoming the eminent guest and members of the delegation, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed gratitude for the accepted invitation to pay a visit to Ashgabat to discuss vital issues of further extending and cementing the interstate relations. Age-old are the friendly relations and successful cooperation of Turkmenistan and India in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, and other fields, the nation’s leader said. Having emphasized the similarity of the parties’ principles and approaches towards the struggle against today’s new challenges – international terrorism, religious extremism, transnational organized crime, and distribution of drugs, the leader of nation Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has said that our country advocates the soonest adoption of the Universal Counterterrorism Convention of the United Nations Organization. Then, concentrating attention on the situation in neighboring Afghanistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has highlighted that Turkmenistan stands for settling the situation in the country through exclusively the instrumentalities of diplomacy. Our country is making a great deal of effort to restore the socio-economic infrastructure of Afghanistan. In particular, important projects aimed at the country’s rapid integration into the system of regional and world economic relations are being implemented. In this connection, the nation’s leader stressed the significance of the “Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India” gas pipeline construction project. As a transit country, Afghanistan’s profits from the realization of the project are estimated at one billion of US dollars. Besides, 12,000 new jobs will be created, the head of Turkmenistan said. Having expressed support for the Indian party’s position on the issues of ensuring peace and universal security which were voiced in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that the TAPI project implementation is beneficial not only for Turkmenistan and India, but also for all the participating countries on the whole. Much work has been done over the past five years to prepare for the large-scale project implementation. The Presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India’s Minister of Oil and Gas have signed a Framework Agreement on the gas pipeline construction. Besides, a Gas Purchase/Sale Agreement was concluded; “TAPI Ltd.” - a specialized company, was established. The Project Steering Committee’s meetings were held in Ashgabat in November 2014, in Islamabad - in February 2015, in Kabul - in March 2015. These days, another meeting of the project participants was held in Dubai. At present, the negotiations on the issue are nearing their final stage, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said with satisfaction, having stressed that in the running year’s September, the Consortium’s leader is to be named, and the outcomes of the tender are to be summarized; soon thereafter, the project will be launched. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the head of Turkmenistan expressed appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Government of India for the consistent support for the project and active participation in all its preparation stages. Touching upon the issues of bilateral trade-economic partnership, the head of state highlighted that Turkmenistan and India had accumulated rich experience in the field. Over the past three years, the bilateral trade turnover value remained at the level of 185-190 million USD, the nation’s leader said, having emphasized the availability of vast untapped potential for the development of interaction in this trend. At present, 40 percent of trade turnover between our countries is the share of the private sector enterprises. In this connection, as an important step, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov specified the necessity of seeking wide cooperation in small and medium trade businesses. The support is one of the main conditions for increasing volumes of bilateral trade turnover, the nation’s leader continued, having expressed confidence that more active participation of the two countries’ enterprises in the international exhibition-fairs would contribute to widening the productive partnership. It would have been advisable to adopt a bilateral plan or program for a specified term within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries’ Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the head of Turkmenistan highlighted. Not the least significant is the role of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Indian Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation in strengthening the interstate interaction. Production of mineral fertilizers by Turkmenistan’s enterprises and partnership-based cooperation with India in purchasing the fertilizers may turn into a new trend of the bilateral trade-economic relations. Turkmen specialists will carefully consider the proposals of Indian partners on cooperation in the agriculture, textile industry, information technologies, construction and medical industries, as well as in other spheres, the head of state said. The field of transport was mentioned as one of the strategic trends of interstate interaction. Stressing the importance of contacts in the humanitarian sphere, the head of state has noted that our peoples have been linked by the centuries-old historical ties, traditions of mutual respect, common spiritual values, which are filled in with new content today. The cultural relations are actively developing as well. Having expressed support for the initiative of India’s Prime Minister on popularization of the ancient Indian philosophy and culture in the world, the President of Turkmenistan has emphasized that much consideration is given to promotion of healthy lifestyle principles in our country too. In this connection, the Turkmen leader noted that World Yoga Day was marked in our country on June 21. Pending the subject, the head of state also underlined that in the frames of the high Indian guest’s visit, the Yoga and Traditional Medicine Center was to be opened in Ashgabat. Highlighting that it would contribute to widening the scope of relations, the nation’s leader congratulated the Prime Minister of the friendly country and the entire Indian people on that remarkable event. Efficient bilateral cooperation has been achieved in the field of education. As an eloquent example, the head of state mentioned the “Professional-Training Education Center” at the Turkmen State Architectural and Construction Institute (established in 2002) and the “Turkmen-Indian Information Technologies Center” at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University (since 2011). The Oriental Languages Faculty of the Dovletmammed Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages may boast of the Department of Hindi with a 50-student enrollment. Welcoming the productive character of the bilateral interaction in the health sector, the President of Turkmenistan has emphasized that the region’s first pharmaceutical company “Turkmen Ajanta Pharma limited” was opened in 1998, which nowadays successfully works and produces a wide range of medicines. To continue the theme of the Turkmen-Indian partnership in this sphere, the nation’s leader has made special mention of the work of the Ashgabat Medical School named after Indira Gandhi. The positive experience has also been accumulated in the field of natural sciences, the dissemination of which would have been beneficial for both parties, underlined the head of state. Aimed at expanding interaction in the issues of renewable energy sources, seismology and ecology, the Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in science and technology is assigned to serve as a legal basis for further development of partnership. As President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized, Turkmenistan is a neutral state, foreign policy course of which is aimed at the development of mutually beneficial relations with all countries of the world. This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of gaining the neutral status, reaffirmed by the Resolution of the United Nations in this year’s June. Speaking about the importance of the significant date, the head of state invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the timed-to-the-event International conference and celebrations to be held in Ashgabat in the current year’s December. At the end of his speech, the President of Turkmenistan addressed best wishes to the Indian guest and in his face – to the entire people of the friendly country. The floor is given to the head of Government of India. Truly grateful to the head of state for the invitation to visit Turkmenistan and for hearty welcome, the distinguished guest expressed his gratitude for the hospitality. The Prime Minister of the friendly country said that it was one of his first visits to the states of Central Asia. “We are opening the gates for relations with the states of the Central Asian region,” stated Mr. Narendra Modi highlighting the importance of the visit. Noting that cultural ties between our countries go far back in time, the distinguished guest spoke in favor of intensification of partnership in this sphere. The high guest has emphasized that he fully agrees with the Turkmen leader concerning the sustainable development of Afghanistan, noting thereto the similarity of the countries’ positions that all the conflicts and other problems should be solved by peaceful means solely. As the head of the Government of India highlighted, during the recent meeting with the leaders of Afghanistan in Ufa, information was voiced about the by-now negotiation process between the parties in which representatives of Pakistan take part. “India wishes Afghanistan to be the peaceful and prosperous country,” said the distinguished guest. Focusing on the issues of implementing the TAPI project, the eminent guest noted that successful implementation of the project would be beneficial for all participating countries, including Afghanistan. Concerning cooperation in the field of trade, the Prime Minister of India has noted that the indicators in the sector do not reflect the untapped potential of the two countries. In this regard, special mention was made of the importance of the Intergovernmental Commission’s session (held in 2015) assigned to identify and enact the partnership’s resources. Fully supporting the Turkmen leader’s proposals on building-up transport corridors, the distinguished guest has stated that the new transcontinental railway arteries of Turkmenistan joined with the railroads of Iran would open broad opportunities for getting exposure to new markets, including the Indian one, which has great untapped potential. The parties’ integrated efforts would contribute to broadening the spectrum of bilateral relations, said the Prime Minister of India, having sorted out the priority trends of interaction – energy supply, fertilizer manufacturing, textile industry, information technology, and education, production of medical supplies, tourism and sports. Willingness was also expressed to participate in the implementation of telemedicine projects. Expressing confidence in the success of the Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts to be held in Turkmenistan in 2017, the distinguished guest expressed hope that India would contribute to the construction of sport facilities in Ashgabat. Currently, Indian companies are actively involved in construction of the facilities for the games of the Football World Cup to be held in Qatar in 2020. Noting that these companies could participate in the construction of similar facilities in Turkmenistan, Mr. Narendra Modi expressed readiness to send specialists in this sphere to our country. In conclusion, noting the productivity of the meeting, the distinguished guest expressed sincere appreciation for the hospitality and conditions provided for conducting the circumstantial and effective talks. Then, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Hojamuhammedov, who on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan reported on the progress of preparation works for launching construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. In this regard, the appropriate developed projects and designs were demonstrated. Vice-Premier also presented information regarding the route of this international pipeline which has great importance for the countries of the region. After the rump talks process, a ceremony was held of signing bilateral documents in the “Marble” Hall of the Palace in the presence of the President of Turkmenistan and Prime Minister of the Republic of India. The documents signed are: the Memorandum of Understanding between the “Turkmenhimiya” State Concern and “PSU Rashtriya Chemicals &Fertilizers” of the Republic of India on the delivery of chemical products; the Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India; the Agreement between the State Sports Committee of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Sport and Youth of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of sport; the Program of Cooperation in science and technology between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India for the years 2015-2017; the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the tourism sector; the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of yoga and traditional medicine; the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of defense. To the applause of the ceremony attendees, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi put their signatures under the Joint Statement. Upon completion of the signing ceremony, the head of Turkmen state and the head of the Government of India made a statement to the mass media. Speaking to the mass media’s representatives, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that today’s fruitful talks were held in the atmosphere of openness and understanding inherent in the Turkmen-Indian relations. The head of state expressed sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi and all the members of Indian delegation for the success of the negotiations. As the leader of nation said, the counterparts gave high estimate to the Turkmen-Indian relations based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, contributing to the coordinated efforts of our countries in the international arena. The head of state also said that the sides agreed to further consolidate the efforts in the fight against new challenges of modernity, including terrorism, extremism, transnational criminality, illegal drug trafficking. Informing the reporters that during the talks with the Prime Minister special attention was paid to settling the situation in Afghanistan, the leader of nation welcomed similarity of the sides’ views on solving them exceptionally through peaceful and political means. Then, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the theme of cooperation in the energy sector, where special emphasis was placed on the implementation of the “Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India” gas pipeline construction project. The joint work of the project’s country-participants advances the negotiation process towards its completion, and in the nearest future, we will proceed to the implementation of the TAPI project. Thereupon, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Government of India for supporting the project and taking active participation in all stages of its preparation. The leader of nation also stressed the availability of enormous opportunities for the implementation of joint projects in the energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, communications, agriculture, high technologies and tourism industry. With interest we study the Indian party’s proposal to participate in the “North-South” international transport corridor project, which will connect the Mumbai port in India and the Iranian seaports in the Persian Gulf., the leader of nation informed. The “Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran” railway is assigned to play an important role in this process. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov also added that the Indian party was offered to consider the possibility for its participation in the “Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman” transport-transit corridor project. As the leader of nation informed the representatives of mass media, during the negotiations an agreement was reached about holding joint cultural actions. Mutual willingness was expressed also to expand cooperation in the science and education, in particular, between higher educational institutions of the two countries, including their Academies of Sciences. The head of state informed that he had invited Mr. Prime Minister to take part in the international conference and other festive events to be hosted by Ashgabat in December on the occasion of 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality. Highly appreciating to the outcomes of negotiations with the Indian Prime Minister, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed confidence that the agreements that had been reached in the course of the visit, as well as the important documents signed, would give a powerful impulse to further expansion of bilateral relations. They would allow us to efficiently use the existing ample possibilities for cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural, scientific, humanitarian, and many other areas, the head of state underlined. In conclusion of his speech, the President of Turkmenistan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all members of the Indian delegation for their fruitful work, which promoted success of the visit, and sent his wishes of peace, wellbeing and prosperity to the friendly people of India. Voicing the outcomes of negotiations, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India emphasized that it was a great honor for him to visit Turkmenistan. Truly grateful to the leader of nation and the people of Turkmenistan for the warm-hearted welcome and hospitality, Mr. Narendra Modi stated that India highly appraised its relations with Turkmenistan. Mr. Narendra Modi noted that during negotiations, the issues of mutual interest were discussed, including those related to the settlement of situation in Afghanistan, the Central Asian region’s development prospects, the struggle against such dangerous present-day challenges, as terrorism and extremism. Thereupon, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India pointed out a coincidence of the two countries’ views on many actual aspects of international affairs. In the course of negotiations a stress was laid also on the need for furthering economic cooperation between South and Central Asia. In this regard, the high guest expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for giving support in this issue. As an example of effective partnership, Mr. Narendra Modi mentioned the TAPI gas pipeline construction project, the implementation of which would provide benefits to the two nations, and to the whole region. The Indian Prime Minister also informed that the Indian party had made a proposal on studying the possibilities for expansion of cooperation in a wide range of areas. It refers, in particular, to the railway through Iran which will invest in activating Turkmenistan-India cooperation in the transport-communications sphere. Dwelling upon the issues of cooperation, the honored guest confirmed willingness of the Indian oil and gas companies to establish their representative offices in Ashgabat; of no less importance is entering into cooperation in the petrochemical industry and in the production of mineral fertilizers. The Prime Minister of the Republic of India also sorted out education and personnel training among the most important areas of bilateral cooperation, making a striking example of the successfully operating Turkmen-Indian professional training-education center in Ashgabat. According to Mr. Narendra Modi, that day’s opening of a monument to Mahatma Gandhi in the Turkmen capital, which was symbolical because both Turkmenistan and India advocate the ideas of peace and sustainable development in the world, was another eloquent example of friendship between the two countries. Opening of the Yoga and Traditional Medicine Center in Ashgabat would become another illustration of mutual attention to the humanitarian and cultural cooperation. As the honored guest noted thereupon, India appreciates Turkmenistan’s support to the initiative of announcing World Yoga Day marked on June 21. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India cordially congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the Turkmen people on a significant occasion - the 20thanniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. Underlining the fruitfulness of his visit to our country and negotiations, Mr. Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the further successful development of traditionally friendly Turkmen-Indian relations, at the same time noting that they in India are looking forward to the Turkmen leader’s visit. In the afternoon, the honored guest made a car drive to Kipchak to pay a tribute to the memory of the first President of Turkmenistan, having laid flowers to the Mausoleum, and visited the Turkmenbashi’s Mosque of Spirituality. The motorcade of the Indian Prime Minister headed to the Independence Monument of Turkmenistan where the honored guest laid flowers. By the well-established tradition, the head of the Indian Government planted a young tree in an Alley of Honorable Guests as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the ceremony of opening of the Monument to Mahatma Gandhi, who was one of the prominent political leaders of India. The monument to the thinker, advocate of peace, enlightener and fighter for independence of India was erected next to the Yoga Center in the capital’s new sports center “Bagtiyarlyk” that was put into operation in the spring of 2015. During the ceremony, Mr. Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation to President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov for giving attention to preservation and development of traditions of spiritual relations between the Turkmen and Indian peoples, for creating conditions for expansion of many-faceted humanitarian cooperation between our countries. Then, the high guest took part in the inauguration of the Yoga Center in the capital’s “Bagtiyarlyk” sports center, where the elements of this ancient discipline were demonstrated to the Indian Prime Minister and members of the Indian delegation. In the conversation with students of the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after D.Azadi who study Hindi, Mr. Narendra Modi stressed the importance of that day’s event in strengthening of friendship between the peoples of Turkmenistan and India. The high guest made special emphasis on the tangible contribution of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to the development of Turkmen-Indian cooperation. Representatives of the government and public organizations of the country, the Ashgabat city khyakim, as well as the Indian specialists working in our country also took part in the ceremony. In the evening, the President of Turkmenistan gave an official dinner in honor of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, during which the Turkmen leader and the high guest exchanged speeches. After the ceremonious reception, the head of Turkmen state and the head of Indian Government warmly waved goodbye to each other. Expressing satisfaction with the outcomes of negotiations, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again confirmed the intention of their countries to take further active steps to develop bilateral cooperation that has tremendous potential and meets common interests. Then, the high guest proceeded to the International airport of Ashgabat to depart from the Turkmen capital.