Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: India’s diplomatic footprint in Central Asia grew stronger as Secretary (West) Sibi George participated in key events on January 21. He attended the fifth India-Turkmenistan Foreign Office Consultations alongside the prestigious SPECA Economic Forum in the Turkmen capital.
Kicking off the visit, George met with top Turkmen official Rashid Meredov, passing on personal good wishes from EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar. The conversation centered on practical steps to elevate the strategic partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared interests.
A subsequent meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Myahri Byashimova provided a platform for an in-depth review of ties. Topics spanned the full spectrum: from political dialogue and defense collaboration to economic trade, cultural exchanges, educational initiatives, and consular services.
Discussions extended to multilateral cooperation at the UN and beyond, with candid exchanges on pressing regional and international matters. Representing India at the SPECA Forum under Finance Minister Mämmetguly Astanaguylov’s leadership, George outlined ambitious plans to amplify trade volumes, attract investments, and improve connectivity infrastructure linking India to Central Asia.
This engagement reflects India’s proactive ‘Extended Neighbourhood’ approach, nurturing historical ties with Turkmenistan. As global dynamics shift, such interactions pave the way for collaborative growth, energy security, and regional peace.