India’s President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind stated that connectivity with the Central Asian countries remain a key priority for India, which is a member of both the International North-South Transport Corridor, and the Ashgabat Agreement.
President Kovind said India is a member of both the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Ashgabat agreement. He said, they have taken steps to use the Chabahar port in Iran which can provide safe, effective and unrestricted access to the sea in Central Asian countries. President Kovind said while expanding communication, it was important to ensure that connectivity initiatives systems consulted, transparent and participated, with respect for the sovereignty and integrity of the international community. He said, India is ready for cooperate, to invest and building connections in the region. The President said, India’s emergence as one of the world’s largest economies and India’s technological suitability of technologies has created global negotiations. India’s relations with the countries of the Global South have grown significantly while its relations with the superpowers have deepened.
President Kovind said, one of the key pillars of India’s foreign policy in recent years has been the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy. He emphasized that India’s main philosophy was to work with its neighbors to ensure that they also benefit from its economic development and growth. He said, therefore, India’s Neighborhood First policy focused on improving connectivity, boosting trade and investment, and building a safer and more stable environment. The President said one of the main focus areas of India’s foreign policy over the past few years has been the revitalization of its historical ties with Central Asian countries, which are part of an expanded geographical area. He said that, as developing countries, the countries of India and Central Asia share similar ideas and approaches and faces similar challenges such as terrorism, extremism, ideology and drug trafficking. The President also introduced the ‘Indian Corner’ to the International Relations Center for the event.
The ‘Indian Corner’ is expected to create interest in India among the students of the Institute in organizing activities related to India. The Indian government has provided computers, Indian books and musical instruments and other equipment for the ‘Indian Corner’. Earlier in the day, the President visited the People’s Memorial Complex in Ashgabat and crowned the Eternal Glory. He also visited the Bagtyyarlyk Sports Complex where he donated flowers before Mahatma Gandhi’s explosion and saw for himself the Yoga folk show under the guidance of an Indian pastor. Tomorrow morning, the President will head to the Netherlands, after concluding his visit to Turkmenistan.
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