Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Calls on President

Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday (January 21, 2013).

The President welcomed him and said India highly values its warm, friendly and historically close ties with Turkmenistan.

The President said the visit of Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, to India in May 2010 has given a strong impetus to the strengthening of bilateral ties. Since visit of President of Turkmenistan to India in May 2010 the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas line Project has made significant progress. He said India is fully committed to implement the TAPI Project by August 2017. India is deficient in energy resources whereas Turkmenistan is rich in hydrocarbon resources. Our common endeavour should be to build enduring ties between our two friendly countries, based on a long-term energy partnership. This project is mutually beneficial for economic reasons. It is also important for bringing peace and development to our common region.

The President said India is thankful for Turkmenistan’s support for India’s candidature for Permanent Membership of an expanded Security Council of United Nations.

Mr. Rashid Meredov warmly reciprocated the President’s words and described India as a long standing friend and partner of Turkmenistan both in bilateral cooperation as well as in multilateral fora.

This release issued at 1350 hrs.