Turkmenistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov has confirmed Ashgabat's desire to strengthen and expand cooperation with India. He made this statement on 6 June during a meeting of the heads of foreign affairs agencies of Central Asian countries with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the talks, special attention was paid to key areas of bilateral cooperation. According to R. Meredov, a constructive dialogue has been established between Turkmenistan and India at the highest level, which creates favourable conditions for deepening political and economic ties.

The minister stressed that the countries have significant potential for increasing trade turnover, expanding Indian investment in the Turkmen economy, and implementing joint projects in the fields of transport, energy, industry, digital technologies, healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

One of the priority areas of cooperation was the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, the implementation of which, according to the parties, is of strategic importance for ensuring the region's energy security. The development of the North-South International Transport Corridor was also discussed.

At the end of the meeting, Rashid Meredov conveyed greetings and best wishes to the Prime Minister of India on behalf of the Turkmen leadership and expressed Turkmenistan's readiness to deepen partnership with India on the basis of mutual respect and interests.