Soz to attend Niyazov funeral

New Delhi, Dec 23 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz will lead the Indian delegation at the funeral of Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov tomorrow.

Mr Niyazov passed away on Thursday.

Sources at the office of Mr Soz said the minister was asked by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to represent the government at the funeral at Ashagabat, the capital of Turmenistan.

He would leave later today.

India and Turkmenistan share a close historical, cultural and political relations for several centuries.

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