President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind had a telephone conversation today, the state news Agency of Turkmenistan reported.

As the President of our country noted, Turkmenistan is grateful to India for its continued support of its neutral status and international initiatives aimed at ensuring universal peace and security and building effective partnership for sustainable development.

During the conversation, it was emphasized that the high level of Turkmen-Indian relations can be traced in the consistent strengthening of trade and economic ties. The energy sector was identified as a priority area of cooperation, namely, the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

Turkmenistan is ready to provide Indian companies with the necessary support in implementing investment projects and invites them to consider the possibility of creating joint high-tech industries in such areas as agriculture, chemical, pharmaceutical, light industry, production of construction materials based on local raw materials, the Turkmen leader noted. A concrete example of a joint Turkmen-Indian enterprise is "Türkmenderman Ajanta Farma Limited", Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted, suggesting to consider the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the fields of medicine and pharmaceuticals.

The parties also expressed their support for further strengthening of fruitful cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, including through various cultural events, such as cross-cultural days, exhibitions, festivals, and creative exchanges. The importance of establishing interaction and exchange of experience at the inter-parliamentary level was noted.

During the conversation, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Ram Nath Kovind also touched upon the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the global spread of COVID-19 is a threat to all countries and requires a collective response based on solidarity and new approaches to multilateral cooperation.

They also noted the importance of building up bilateral ties in the long term, where a special role is given to visits and high-level negotiations.

Stressing that Turkmenistan sees India as a sincere friend and reliable partner, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind to pay an official visit to our country at a convenient time.