President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of India Ram Nath Kovind held talks in Turkmen capital Ashgabat on Saturday.
The Presidents exchanged views on a number of topical issues on the regional and global agenda, the official media of Turkmenistan reports.
During the talks, the sides noted the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as bilateral trade ties. After exchanging views on various regional and international issues, the parties also agreed on joint efforts to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership.
Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Ram Nath Kovind paid special attention to the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. The parties confirmed that, in addition to economic feasibility for all its participants, the construction of TAPI is to make a significant contribution to strengthening stability in the region, mutual understanding and trust between the participating countries and promote economic and political rapprochement between them.
President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed India's readiness to develop a partnership with Turkmenistan in the field of digitalization and emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of space.
Following the talks, the ceremony of signing bilateral documents took place with the participation of the Presidents.
The Turkmen and Indian officials signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of emergency management between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of India, an MoU on cooperation in the field of youth between the Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of India, The program of cooperation in the field of culture and art for 2022-2025 between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of India.
The parties also exchanged an MoU on cooperation in the field of financial information exchange related to the legalization of proceeds from crime and the financing of terrorism between the Financial Monitoring Service under the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Financial Intelligence Unit of India.
The sides also adopted a joint Turkmen-Indian statement.
In the evening, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdymukhamedov gave an official dinner in honor of the distinguished guest, at which the two heads of state exchanged speeches. The gala reception was accompanied by performances of Turkmen musicians and singers.
