An interview of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Turkmenistan Mr. Muhammed Afzal on occasion of the national holiday – Independence Day of the Republic of India

“India fought for independence over many centuries. In the early XX century it entered into the most active phase of the nationwide struggle for liberty. India became an independent country on August 15, 1947. On this day the national flag of India was raised at the Red Fort in Delhi – since then we celebrate this date paying tribute and commemorating the glorious sons and daughter of India who sacrificed their lives to the freedom of our Motherland.

“India attaches paramount importance to developing the relations with Turkmenistan - that is uppermost. These relations root in the historical expanses of millennia. The territories of Turkmenistan and India are the homeland to the earliest civilizations. Speaking about modern times it should be noted that India was one of the first countries to recognize Turkmenistan’s independence and establish the diplomatic relations at the embassy level. After establishing the diplomatic relations our countries exchanged the visits at the level of government delegations. The recent example is the visit of Vice President of India Hamid Ansari to Turkmenistan this April.

“India and Turkmenistan fruitfully co-operate in the framework of the international organisations including the United Nations. In particular, Turkmenistan has always supported India’s ‘candidacy’ to various international organisations and forums. In its turn, our country supports Turkmenistan’s international initiatives.

“There are quite a lot of ‘items’ in the long list of the achievements our countries have gained to develop mutually advantageous co-operation: in the past 16 years we concluded 25 bilateral agreements, our trade is expanded and co-operation is spread to new fields.

“In the past months our bilateral relations were marked with a number of the events which highlighted the dynamics of co-operation: the bilateral intergovernmental commission met in Delhi on January 21-22, 2008. The high-ranking delegation arrived from Turkmenistan to participate in the meeting. The Memorandum of Understanding in Oil and Gas Co-operation was signed during the Indian Vice President’s visit to Ashgabat on April 4-6, 2008

“India became an official party to the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project. The delegations of the state-run oil and gas enterprises and large private companies of India visited Turkmenistan. The talks were held at the top level. Some companies expressed the intent to do business in Turkmenistan, whose potential gives rise to no doubt. Taking an opportunity I would like to thank the Turkmen partners, first of all the relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, for perfectly organising the meetings and talks. We are convinced that Turkmenistan has found a dependable partner in India, who stands ready for co-operation in both humanitarian and industrial spheres.

‘I would like to thank for the congratulations and a given opportunity to wish happiness, good health and further prosperity to President of Turkmenistan Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the people of your wonderful country. My country and its leadership will spare no effort so that our co-operation could foster it.

“Travelling around your country I could see that the kind and friendly Turkmen people have the special feelings for the people of India – it pleases. What is more important is that the high spiritual qualities of the people led by such leader as President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov will bring Turkmenistan to new accomplishments.”