<div>Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on Wednesday committed to deepen bilateral ties with India and begin the construction of $10 billion TAPI gas pipeline project this year.</div><div> </div><div>India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held "preparatory" talks in Ashgabat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Turkmenistan in July.</div><div> </div><div>During the minister's maiden visit to the Central Asian country, the two countries also agreed to collaborate in the energy sector and discussed key bilateral and regional issues, including defence cooperation.</div><div> </div><div>"This is my first visit to Turkmenistan. It has been successful. It has exceeded my expectations. India's development standards are going up and there are so many developmental opportunities," Swaraj said after co-chairing the fifth India-Turkmenistan Inter-Governmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation with her Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov.</div><div> </div><div>"In that context, our ties with Turkmenistan are not up to potential. I explored all options of cooperation," she said after the meeting that witnessed the signing of an MoU on the upgradation of Turkmen India Industrial Training Centre.</div><div> </div><div>Swaraj, here on a three-day visit, held discussions with Meredov on a host of issues, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project and bilateral trade ahead of the joint commission meeting.</div><div> </div><div>During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to the TAPI project and recognised the need for early resolution of the outstanding issue of selection of the consortium leader to expedite implementation of the project.</div><div> </div><div>Swaraj said there were increasing opportunities to collaborate with resource-rich Turkmenistan in areas of energy and fertiliser sectors due to rise in requirement.</div><div> </div><div>"Due to 'Make in India', our energy needs are rising. Our needs in the agriculture sector and want for fertilisers are also rising. n both these areas, Turkmenistan can be our partner.</div><div> </div><div>Having natural gas in abundance... we have talked about setting up a fertiliser plant in which fertilisers will be made here for India. This will be value addition to their gas reserves and we will get fertilisers," Swaraj, who led an inter-ministerial delegation, said.</div><div> </div><div>Earlier in the day, Swaraj called on the Turkmenistan president at the presidential palace.</div><div> </div><div>Modi is likely to visit Turkmenistan in July for the first time and several projects that the two sides take up would be finalised during his visit, she said.</div><div> </div><div>"In July, the Prime Minister is going to come here. If we are able to take certain proposals forward in the coming months, we will be able to announce them during the Prime Minister's visit.</div><div> </div><div>"This meeting also served as the preparatory meet for the Prime Minister's visit here," she told reporters.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Energy Reserves</strong></div><div>Berdymukhamedov told Swaraj that he is looking forward to receiving Modi later this year, officials said.</div><div> </div><div>He committed to deepen ties with India and to begin construction of the TAPI gas pipeline project this year.</div><div> </div><div>During the joint commission meeting, Indian side thanked the Turkmen side for facilitating the visit of a delegation from ONGC (Videsh) Ltd, for exploring opportunities.</div><div> </div><div>The Turkmen side welcomed the proposal of ONGC Videsh Ltd to open their representative office in Turkmenistan.</div><div> </div><div>Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic, borders the Caspian Sea and is estimated to be the fourth largest holder of gas in the world.</div><div> </div><div>The country also has vast oil reserves and has attracted interest from international energy giants, including those from Russia, China and Europe.</div><div> </div><div>Berdymukhamedov came to power after the death of the eccentric dictator Saparmurat Niyazov in 2006.</div><div> </div><div>Niyazov erected a golden statue of himself that revolved to face the sun.</div><div> </div><div>Turkmenistan is ranked 169 out of 174 in Transparency International's corruption perceptions.</div><div> </div><div>Berdymukhamedov has promised to open up the tightly-controlled political system.</div>
