PM Modi hails ‘long-standing’ ties between Turkmenistan, India

Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), July 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who issued a joint statement with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow here on Saturday, hailed the ‘long-standing’ ties between the two nations.

“It is a great pleasure to visit Turkmenistan. Our long standing and deep rooted civilization and cultural ties are well known. It has created a sense of goodwill and similarity between our people. It is a strong foundation of close relations between our two countries. India attaches great importance to this relationship,” Prime Minister Modi said.

“There is enormous potential for cooperation between India, a nation of 1.25 billion people, with a large and rapidly growing economy and Turkmenistan, a nation rich in resources,” he added.

The Prime Minister asserted that the most significant initiative in the relationship between the two nations is the TAPI gas pipeline.

“This could transform regional economic corporation and bring prosperity along the route. We welcome the arrangements between the four countries, where we underline the need to implement the project quickly,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi pointed out that India and Turkmenistan have a common purpose in combating terrorism and extremism.

“As India deepens its relation with the Central Asia, Turkmenistan will play an essential part. We have shared interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and Central Asia. We also have common purpose in combating terrorism and extremism in our region,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi further stressed that connecting South and Central Asia will open up new economic opportunities.

“I thank Mr. President for sharing this vision and for the strong support to the relationship,” the Prime Minister said. (ANI)