Yesterday the President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Turkmenistan on a state visit.

A solemn meeting of the distinguished guest was held at the International Airport of the capital, decorated with the State flags of the two friendly countries. The guard of honor was lined up along the carpet leading from the plane's gangway in honor of the arrival of the head of India.

According to the established good tradition, a boy and a girl in national costumes presented President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife with bread and salt and flowers.

As is known, one of the priority vectors of the foreign policy of Turkmenistan is the strengthening of constructive partnership with all interested partners, including the building up of fruitful contacts with the countries of the Asian region, in particular with the Republic of India.

This is the first visit of the head of a friendly state to our country in the history of interstate relations. The current summit is also marked by the fact that it takes place in the year of celebration of two significant dates - the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic Turkmen-Indian relations and the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

During this short historical period, our countries have traveled a glorious path equal to centuries, acquired national statehood, created their own model of socio-economic development, and accumulated vast positive international experience.

Today, for Turkmenistan, India is a close friend and important partner, among the first states in the world to recognize the independence of our country. The current visit and the high-level talks scheduled within its framework are called upon to become another effective step towards building up mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, which in recent years has acquired a new quality and content.

The official welcoming ceremony for the leader of the Republic of India took place on the square in front of the reception building of the capital's airport. Here, President Ram Nath Kovind was cordially welcomed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. After exchanging friendly handshakes, the heads of the two countries go to a specially installed podium.

The commander of the guard of honor solemnly reports. The national anthems of the Republic of India and Turkmenistan are performed.

The leaders of the two countries walk around the formation of the soldiers of the Guard of Honor and pay tribute to the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

Then the motorcade of the distinguished guest, accompanied by an honorary escort of motorcyclists, is heading to the Yyldyz Hotel.

It should be noted that the upcoming Turkmen-Indian summit meeting in Ashgabat on April 2 will become a new important milestone in the history of bilateral relations, which are initially friendly, mutually respectful and trusting.

In the modern era, the traditional dialogue between our countries, based on deep historical roots and mutual goodwill, is being strengthened, including on a multilateral basis. The focus of the Turkmen-Indian cooperation is a wide range of areas. A clear evidence of the commitment of the two friendly countries to the main course of steadily building up effective partnership is the achieved high level of interstate dialogue, including in a multilateral format, through major international organizations.

This is confirmed by concrete facts and statistics, a solid legal framework, including numerous documents signed at the state, intergovernmental and interdepartmental levels, as well as political consultations and contacts between various structures.

The meetings at various levels confirm the readiness of the parties to deepen the established productive political dialogue, strengthen economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, defining specific steps for the steady development of interaction on a parity, mutually beneficial basis.

Great importance is attached to the activities of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Indian Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, at the meetings of which the key vectors of bilateral partnership, priority projects are determined.

Cooperation in the humanitarian field is also expanding, the foundation of which is cultural, spiritual and historical ties dating back to the mists of time. Glorious pages in the history of India were written by the outstanding sons of the Turkmen people - Bairam Khan and Abdurahim Khan. Indians treat their heritage with great respect and reverence, as well as such a famous historical and architectural monument as the Turkmen Gates, erected in the very heart of the Indian capital. Scientists, representatives of the creative intelligentsia of the two countries take an active part in the work of international conferences, festivals and exhibitions held in both states.

One of the key areas of cooperation is the sphere of education and science. As is known, at the Faculty of Oriental Languages and Literature of the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammed Azadi, students are trained in the specialty “Hindi language”.

In general, Turkmenistan and India have a solid potential for a multifaceted partnership, the implementation of which will serve to build even stronger and more reliable bridges of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The current state visit of President Ram Nath Kovind is called upon to give a new powerful impetus to these relations.

It is expected that within the framework of the current Ashgabat high-level talks a wide range of issues of mutual interest will be discussed, as well as a package of important bilateral documents aimed at intensifying multidimensional contacts, strengthening trust and mutual understanding between the Turkmen and Indian peoples and our states will be signed. During the meeting, it is planned to discuss the priority tasks of cooperation, including new long-term plans both in bilateral and regional aspects.

In short, the upcoming high-level talks between Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Ram Nath Kovind are designed to help bring the dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Republic of India to a new level with a long-term perspective.