Categories: UPSC Current Affairs

India-Turkmenistan Relations

India-Turkmenistan Relations- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations- India and its neighbourhood- relations.

India-Turkmenistan Relations in News

Recently, the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Turkmenistan.
This is the first-ever visit by a President of India to Turkmenistan, and also one of the first visits hosted by the new and young leader of Turkmenistan.
This year, both countries are also celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan.

Key Outcomes of India-Turkmenistan Relations

Multi-Dimensional Partnership: India and Turkmenistan have agreed to intensify efforts to further strengthen our multifaceted partnership.
- Both countries agreed to expand bilateral trade which has remained modest.
- Business communities must deepen their engagement, understand each other’s regulations and identify new areas of trade and investment.
MoU between the Financial Intelligence Unit of India and Financial Monitoring Service of Turkmenistan: It was signed between both countries during the President of India’s visit.
- This would strengthen the framework of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Connectivity: Both countries are also part of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit Corridor.
- The Chabahar port built by India in Iran could be used to improve trade between India and Central Asia.
Energy Cooperation: Both India and Turkmenistan are part of the TAPI Energy project.
- Issues related to security of the TAPI pipeline and key business principles may be addressed in Technical and Expert level meetings.
Cultural Relations: Programme of Cooperation on Culture and Arts for the period 2022-25 was signed during the recent visit of the President. It will give direction to our cultural cooperation.
- Turkmenistan also agreed to send a youth delegation to India within the ambit of India-Central Asia cultural cooperation.
MOU on Disaster Management: India and Turkmenistan also signed an MOU on Disaster Management.
India – Central Asia Summit framework: Turkmenistan is part of this Summit which was virtually hosted by India for the first time this year.
- Both countries agreed to further enhance cooperation under the framework flowing from the India-Central Asia Summit.
On International Platforms: Turkmenistan supports India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council (UNSC).
- Turkmenistan also supports India’s initiatives as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the period of 2021-22.

India-Central Asia Summit | First India-Central Asia Summit Held Virtually

India and Turkmenistan Cooperation on Disaster Management- Cooperation Areas

Monitoring and forecasting emergencies and assessment of their consequences;
Coordination: Interaction, through Competent Authorities, between appropriate organizations involved in disaster management.
Joint planning, development and implementation of research projects, exchange of scientific and technical publications and results of research work in the field of disaster management.
Exchange of information, periodicals or any other publications, video and photo materials, as well as technologies, as mutually agreed within the scope of this MoU.
Organization of joint conferences, seminars, workshops as well as exercises and training in the relevant fields.
Exchange of experts and experiences in disaster management.
Training and capacity building of first responders in search and rescue operations; exchange of trainees and experts to facilitate capacity building in the field of disaster management.
Rendering assistance, as mutually agreed, for providing technical facilities and equipment, enhancing early warning systems and capacity building of the Parties in disaster management;
Providing assistance, as mutually agreed, in emergency response.
Mutual assistance sharing of knowledge and expertise for the creation of disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Rendering quality management systems, as mutually agreed in accordance with the internationally recognized standards.
Any other activities related to disaster management, which may be mutually agreed upon by the Competent Authorities of the Parties.