India – Turkmenistan Relations The year 2013 marked the 21st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Turkmenistan. TAPI (Turkmenistan– Afghanistan–Pakistan– India) gas pipeline project has made steady progress since the TAPI Summit was held in Ashgabat in December 2010. This project which will elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership is expected to be operational in August 2017. The TAPI Technical Working Group (TWG) was held in Ashgabat on 6-7 July followed by the TAPI Steering Committee Meeting. Shri Saurabh Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas led the Indian delegation at the 18th Steering Committee Meeting of TAPI project held in Ashgabat on July 8, 2014. Political India enjoys close, friendly and historical ties with Turkmenistan. ‘Turkman Gate’ built in Delhi in 1650s bears testimony to this friendship. Prime Minister Nehru visited Ashgabat in June 1955. India and Turkmenistan have implemented w.e.f. 1 April 2011 an Agreement on visa free entry for Diplomatic Passport holders. The 3rd Meeting of the India-Turkmenistan Inter- Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Consular and Cultural cooperation was held in Ashgabat in February 2010. The 4th Inter- Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was held in New Delhi on 22 January 2013. The 5th Inter- Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation is expected to be held in Ashgabat in 2014. Major visits from India - PM Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, 19-21 Sept 1995; EAM Shri Jaswant Singh - May 1999; MOS(P&NG) Shri Dinsha Patel 13-15 Feb 2006; MOS(EA) Shri E.Ahamed- 1-4 Oct 2006 & 14 Feb 2007; Minister of Water Resources Shri Saifuddin Soz, 23-25 Dec 2006; Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari, 4-6 April 2008 ; EAM Shri S.M. Krishna 18-19 Sept.2009; MOS (PK) Smt. Preneet Kaur, 8-9 Feb.2010, MOS(P&NG) Shri Jitin Prasada, 19-20 Sept.2010; Minister (P&NG) Shri Murli Deora, 10-12 Dec.2010; MOS (Communications & IT) Shri Sachin Pilot, 16-18 October, 2011; Minister (P&NG) Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, 22-24 May 2012; Minister (Communications & IT) Shri Kapil Sibal, 16-19 September 2012; Minister (P&NG) Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, 9-10 July 2013; Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar, Minister of State (Parliamentary Affairs), 26-29 October 2013. Major visits to India - President Saparmyrat Niyazov, 18-20 April 1992 & 25- 26 February 1997; Deputy Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov 02-04 December 1992, Dy. Prime Minister & Foreign Minister 18-20 April 1995, 7-8 April 1997 and April 2000; Dy. Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, 20-22 January 2008; President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, 24- 26 May 2010; Minister Oil & Gas Industry B. Nedirov, 28 April 2011; Deputy Minister of Defence Jepbar Akyyev, 29 May-4 June 2011; Deputy Chairman of Parliament Ms. Gurbangul Bayramova, 3-4 October 2012; Acting Minister of Oil/Gas Industry K. Abdullaev, 14-17 October 2012; Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, 21-22 January 2013. India provides ITEC training for Turkmen nationals in India. In the year 2014-15, 20 ITEC slots were offered to them. In all, since the inception of the programme for Turkmenistan in 1994, a total of 332 Turkmen nationals have been trained in various courses. India provides ICCR Scholarships to students from Turkmenistan. 20 ICCR scholarships are offered every year. There are approximately 100 Students from Turkmenistan pursuing various courses. Commercial The total trade between India and Turkmenistan in the year 2012-13 stood at US $ $ 78.25 million; of which exports from India stood at $ 69.92 million and Imports by India at $ 8.33 registering a trade surplus of US$ 61.59 million in India’s favour. Major items of import from India include electronic and electrical items (LG products made in India), Machinery and woven apparel and pharmaceuticals, frozen meat and tyres. Exports to India comprises of raw cotton, raw hides and inorganic chemicals (e.g. Iodine). Bilateral trade in (in million US $ ) Year Indian exports Indian imports Total Turnover 2010-11 26.16 9.73 35.89 2011-12 43.95 16.89 60.84 2012-13 69.92 8.33 78.25 Air links with Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Airlines operates 8 flights a week to India – 2 direct flights to New Delhi (Friday and Sunday) and 6 flights to Amritsar (all days except Friday). Turkmenistan Airlines proposes to start 2 flights a week on the Ashgabat-Goa-Ashgabat sector in 2014. Cultural relations The Days of Indian Culture in Turkmenistan were held in Turkmenistan from 9-11 July 2013. A 15-member Bollywood Group led by Shri Jasvinder Singh Paras held performances in Ashgabat on 9 and 11 July and in Mary on 10 July. The Bollywood performances attracted nearly packed halls with great appreciation from the Turkmen audience. Indian community in Turkmenistan At present there are about 850 Indians nationals in Turkmenistan, comprising junior engineers/technicians (working in oil and gas industry) and construction workers. Most Indian nationals in Turkmenistan reside at 3 main clusters: approx. 200 Indians at South Yolotan/Mary area, 600 Indians in Ashgabat and remaining about 50 at Hazar/offshore Caspian Sea region. There are no Indian Associations or Indian students in Turkmenistan. Useful Resources: For more information and latest updates please visit Embassy of India, Ashgabat website: http://www.eoi.gov.in/ashgabat ***** July 2014 .