Ashgabat, January 8 | ORIENT. Following talks with representatives of the United States and Pakistan, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov held a meeting with the Ambassador of India, Bandaru Wilsonbabu. This diplomatic dialogue confirmed the parties’ intention to give substantive content to the bilateral partnership agenda in 2026.
Key topics of the meeting:
Summits and visits
Preparation for high-level meetings was the central focus of the discussion. The 2026 may become a period of mutual visits by state delegations, as well as by the heads of the foreign ministries of the two countries. In the near future, consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers are also planned to work out the agenda in detail.
Economic driver
The diplomats emphasized the significant role of the Turkmen-Indian Intergovernmental Commission. This is the main mechanism through which Indian technologies in the fields of IT, pharmaceuticals, and the chemical industry are introduced into Turkmenistan. The next meeting of the commission is expected in the “very near future.”
Legal foundation
The parties are already considering a package of documents that will be signed during the upcoming visits. This indicates that cooperation is moving toward concrete contracts and agreements.
For Turkmenistan, India is not only the final destination of the TAPI gas pipeline, but also a strategic partner within the framework of the North–South corridor. New Delhi’s activity in Central Asia is growing, and Ashgabat is skillfully leveraging this interest to diversify its economic ties, acting as a reliable bridge between the Indian subcontinent and Eurasian markets.
