India-Turkmenistan Relations

India recognized Turkmenistan on 26th December 1991. Diplomatic and consular relations were established on 20 April 1992. India opened its Embassy in Ashgabat on 30th January 1994.

Exchange of visits

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India has had contacts with Turkmenistan since the time of its independence from the erstwhile USSR on 27 October 1991. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru accompanied by Smt. Indira Gandhi visited Ashgabat on 14 June 1955 on his way to Tashkent. However, the goodwill for India could not be translated into economic advantage after Turkmenistan gained independence as it was preoccupied with strengthening the security apparatus of the country and consolidating the State. The foundation of vibrant relations between the two countries was laid with the visit of Late Turkmen President H.E. Saparmurat Niyazov to India in April 1992 followed by a second visit in February 1997. Indian Prime Minister Shri. P.V. Narasimha Rao also paid an official visit to Turkmenistan in 1995 during which several agreements on bilateral cooperation were signed.
Former Vice President, Shri. Krishan Kant and Shri. B.S. Shekhawat transited through Ashgabat on 31 August 1999 and 1 October 2005 respectively. Apart from this, there have been regular ministerial visits from both sides.

Interactions between the Foreign Ministers

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The visit of former EAM, Shri. Jaswant Singh to Ashgabat on 20-23 May 1999 gave a further impetus to the growing relations. The two sides agreed to form a Working Group on Energy. A Protocol for consultations at
the Foreign Minister’s level was signed during the visit. The then Turkmenistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Boris Shikhmuradov, visited India for FM-level consultations in April 2000. Foreign Office consultations between
the two countries were held in Dec ’02 and Oct ’05. This paved the way for holding the First Inter Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation led by Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri. E. Ahamed which was held in Ashgabat during 1-3 October 2006. The Joint Working Group on Energy also held the first meeting on the sidelines of the Inter Governmental Commission meeting.

Other important ministerial visits

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Shri. Som Pal, MOS (Agriculture) visited Turkmenistan in Dec 1998 to participate in the inauguration of a pharmaceutical joint venture plant set up by Turkmenistan and Ajanat Pharma Ltd, India. Shri. Ananth Kumar, Minister of Tourism and Culture led an official delegation in Sept 2000 to participate in the days of Indian culture in Turkmenistan in connection with 500th anniversary of Bairam Khan Celebrations. Shri. Dinsha Patel, MOS (Petroleum and Natural Gas) visited Ashgabat from 13-15 February 2006 to attend the 9th steering committee meeting of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline. Following the demise of President Niyazov on 21 December 2006, India’s Minister for Water Resources Shri Saifuddin Soz
visited Ashgabat to attend the funeral from 23-25 December 2006. India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E.Ahamed again visited Ashgabat and led a delegation on 14 February 2007 to attend the inaugural ceremony of new President of Turkmenistan.

Trade and Economic Relations

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The bilateral trade between India and Turkmenistan continues to be on the upswing. During the year 2006, the total turnover was to the tune of US$ 73.29 million as compared to US$ 45.04 million in 2005. India exported pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipments, technological equipment, meat and meat products, plastics goods, textiles and leather goods, etc. to Turkmenistan, worth US$ 53.70 million and imported mineral fuel, wool etc. from Turkmenistan, amounting to US$ 19.59 million.

The 1st meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission was held in Ashgabat on 2-3 October 2006. Shri E. Ahamed, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and co-chair of the India-Turkmenistan Inter-
Governmental commission on Trade-Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation led the Indian delegation and was accompanied by a high level delegation with representatives from Ministries of External
Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Departments of Commerce and of Science and Technology, State Trading Corporation and Public Sector Oil and Gas companies, namely ONGC Videsh and Gail India Limited. Shri Ahamed had extensive discussions with his counter part on all aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as issues of regional cooperation such as India’s participation in the TAP gas pipeline project. The JWG on Hydrocarbons discussed possible areas of bilateral cooperation such as India’s interest in participation in prospecting, exploration and production in the offshore Caspian blocks of Turkmenistan. India also agreed to facilitate the issue of permission for Turkmenistan’s designated carrier to fly to additional points of call in India namely Ahmedabad and Kochi. India also offered to establish in Ashgabat an India-Turkmenistan Centre for Information Technology for capacity building of nationals of Turkmenistan in the information technology area. Both sides resolved to make efforts for intensifying commercial relations through trade related joint ventures. The Turkmenistan side agreed to facilitate imports of Indian pharmaceutical products in Turkmenistan. Cooperation in science and technology particularly in seismic studies as well as in combating desertification was also agreed upon. A joint protocol outlining the specific areas of cooperation was signed at the conclusion of the Inter Governmental Commission by the two Co-Chairs.

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Details of Indian Credit Lines/Official Assistance

India has extended two lines of credit – one of US$ 5 million and the other of US$ 10 million. One joint venture ‘Turkmenderman-Ajanta Pharma Ltd’ has been functioning in Ashgabat since its establishment in December 1998 by utilising the first line of credit. This joint venture has been set up with the participation of Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Indian firm Ajanta Pharma Ltd.’ It has an ultramodern plant and manufactures 70 different types of medicines. All the products manufactured by this joint venture are very popular in Turkmenistan. The initial capital has been repaid. Out of the second line of
credit US$2.3 million is utilised in the areas of food processing (juice making) and wool processing.

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Important Bilateral Treaties and Agreements

A Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement was signed between the two countries on 20 September 1995. The Instruments of Ratification were exchanged on 27 February 2006 and thus the Agreement has come in to force from the said date.

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Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital was signed in February 1997 and has been operational since July 2002.

An agreement was signed in Ashgabat in September 1996 between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Indian-CIS Chamber of Commerce and Industry to develop cooperation between the economic, commercial and financial organizations of the two countries

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The first meeting of the member states under the Trilateral Transit Agreement among India, Iran and Turkmenistan was held in Delhi on 31st January 2000.

An MOU relating to air services operation between the two countries was signed on 7 February 2000 giving Turkmenistan Airlines the rights to fly to Amritsar and Delhi. Presently, Turkmenistan is operating eight flights every week to Amritsar/Delhi. The Indian sectors are the most profitable for the Turkmen Airlines. From March 2007 Turkmenistan Airlines will fly twice a week connecting Ashgabat and Ahmedabad.

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India and Turkmenistan are working on an agreement concerning treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Cooperation in the Energy Sector

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The presence of significant reserves of hydrocarbons in Turkmenistan and the Indian economy’s requirement of the same, can serve as the basis for further development of such cooperation. Towards this end, both sides realize the significance of mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Turkmenistan in the Hydrocarbon sector and the willingness for its expansion. In this context, India’s decision to join the Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project is a positive development. Both sides held the first Joint Working Group (JWG) on Hydrocarbons in Ashgabat on 2nd October 2006.

Cooperation in Science and Technology

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In pursuance of the 1st meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission, the Indian side has offered to establish an India-Turkmenistan Centre for Information Technology (ITCIT) in Ashgabat for which details
are being worked out.

The draft of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Turkmenistan was discussed during the meeting and both sides stressed on the necessity to conclude the above mentioned document through diplomatic channels. Both sides agreed to enhance the participation of Turkmen representatives in the courses organised by the Government of India within the framework of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in the fields of Computer Technology, Software, Financial Management, Urban Infrastructure Planning, Accountancy, Educational Planning and Management, Legislative activities, English language, etc and expressed interest in undertaking joint research and studies related to seismic and earthquake problems, demineralization and desalination of water and ecology of deserts and seas. Both sides agreed to collaborate on geophysical methods of interpretation and seismicity under themes like earthquake geology, earthquake hazards, strong motion seismology, site response and ground motion, and regional and whole earth structures, etc. Applications of
solar energy, remote sensing, scientific instrumentation and technology transfer from research institutes to industries were considered as other potential areas of cooperation between the two sides. Both sides agreed to initiate suitable joint programmes of bilateral interests to combat desertification and cultivation thereof in relevant areas of India and Turkmenistan through specialised agencies on both sides.

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226 Turkmen nationals have availed training facilities under ITEC programme since 1991. 30 slots per annum are allotted to Turkmenistan under the programme. The Government of India has set up an ‘Industrial
Training Centre’ in Ashgabat under the ITEC programme. The project has been executed by the Hindustan Machine Tools (International) Ltd. which provided a range of machine tools worth US$ 0.5 million for manufacturing a variety of dies and spare-parts for several industries. Nine Turkmen technicians were imparted training at HMT(I) Ltd., Bangalore for operating the machines supplied at the Centre. The Centre is equipped with facilities for training basic skills, manufacturing tools and products required by different industries, prototype development and pilot projects and component manufacture.

Cooperation in the sphere of Culture

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India and Turkmenistan share ancient cultural ties. There is admiration for India and respect for India’s rich cultural diversity. Indian films are very popular in Turkmenistan and are shown every week on Turkmen channels. Verses from Turkmen national poet Makhtamkuli are often quoted to eulogise India and India Culture.

The draft CEP for the year 2007-08 is being finalised.

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In August and September 2000, ‘Days of Turkmen Culture in India’ and ‘Days of Indian Culture in Turkmenistan’ were held. Turkmen Minister of Culture, Orazgeldy Aydogdiev, led Turkmen Cultural delegation to India. The Indian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Anant Kumar, led the Indian delegation and inaugurated the days of Indian culture in Turkmenistan as well as a Manuscript exhibition on Bairam Khan. The exhibits were gifted to the Turkmenistan side. An Indian cultural troupe of Bhangra and Giddha dancers visited Turkmenistan during the Days of Indian Culture.

A dance troupe of 18 Turkmen artistes visited India in September 2003 at the invitation of the ICCR. It performed in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun and Mussorie. A bhangra and giddha group of 10 members, partially sponsored by ICCR visited Ashgabat on the occasion of Indian Independence Day celebration in mid August 2005.

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A 17 member troupe from Jammu and Kashmir visited Ashgabat during 21-28 October 2006 upon the invitation of Turkmen government to perform during the 15th Anniversary of Independence. The troupe was fully sponsored by ICCR.

Government of India provides 8 scholarships every year under the General Cultural Scholarship Scheme. In addition, one slot for learning Hindi in India is also allotted to Turkmen students.

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