PM Modi in Turkmenistan – An Overview

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan after his three days visit to Ufa, Russia.

He attended BRICS and SCO summit and had bilateral talks with the leaders of China, Russia Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Key points of the visit:

• PM Modi emphasized the need to implement the TAPI Gas Pipeline project quickly.
• He welcomed the decision by ONGC Videsh Limited to open an office in Ashgabat.
• The MoU in the fertilizer sector to enable long term arrangements for supply of fertilizers.
• Both the leaders welcomed the Indian proposal to set up a urea production facility in Turkmenistan.
• PM Modi proposed that Turkmenistan becomes a member of the International North South Transport Corridor.
• India will enhance its training scholarship programme and Turkmen India Industrial Training Institute in Ashgabat will be upgraded.
• The agreements on sports and tourism to deepen the contacts between people of both the nations.
• The agreement on cooperation in the field of Defence. This would provide a framework for intensifying bilateral defence and security cooperation through exchanges of high and mid-level visits, training and dialogue between the Ministries of Defence and other relevant organisations.
• The MoU for cooperation in Science and Technology was signed.
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a Traditional Medicine and Yoga Centre in Ashgabat.
• PM Modi also unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.
• In the joint statement both the leaders acknowledged the urgent need for reform of the UN Security Council in the context of strengthening and expanding the role of the United Nations in addressing the pressing contemporary challenges.