An event dedicated to one of the world’s largest educational initiatives—the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program—was held in Ashgabat. The meeting brought together diplomats, journalists, professionals, and program alumni to discuss the prospects of Turkmen–Indian partnership.
Bandaru Wilsonbabu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Turkmenistan, emphasized in his speech the importance of developing bilateral relations. The diplomat noted that strengthening professional and cultural ties between the two countries is a priority of his work in Ashgabat.
In particular, the head of the diplomatic mission highlighted that the ITEC Program is tailored to specific requests, taking into account the needs and priorities of Turkmenistan. At the same time, the Government of India regularly provides grants for specialists from Turkmenistan for internships and training.
“I am pleased to note that to date, hundreds of young people from Turkmenistan have completed ITEC training courses in India, which demonstrates the close friendly and partnership relations between our countries, especially in the field of capacity building. Taking this opportunity, I invite students from Turkmenistan to take advantage of the opportunities to receive high-quality and affordable higher education in India. I am confident that graduates of ITEC scholarship programs will make a significant contribution to further strengthening cooperation between India and Turkmenistan,” said the Ambassador.
Launched by the Government of India in 1964, ITEC has evolved over the decades into a global platform for knowledge exchange. More than 225,000 participants from 160 countries have taken part in the program. Each year, hundreds of leading educational institutions across India are involved in the program.
The program is open to employees of government institutions, the private sector, universities, and chambers of commerce. Training courses cover virtually all key areas of the modern economy—from accounting to rural development.
During the event, Turkmen ITEC alumni also delivered speeches, sharing how their internships in India helped them implement valuable practices in their professional activities. A highlight of the meeting was the musical segment, which reflected the national cultural identity of the two friendly nations.
