India, Turkmenistan sign accords to enhance trade, education and tourism

New Delhi, May 25 (ANI): India and Turkmenistan signed bilateral accords in New Delhi on Tuesday to enhance cooperation in trade, education, science and technology, art and culture and visa free travel to holders of diplomatic passport.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister Rashid Meredov signed an agreement providing for visa free travel for diplomats of the two countries.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma inked the treaty about cooperation in economic and trade fields with Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister Hojamuhamet Muhammedov.

The two leaders are accompanying the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived here on Monday on a three-day maiden visit to India.

The visiting President is scheduled to meet President Pratibha Devisingh Patil as well as Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his stay in the national capital.

He is also scheduled to meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, and other important political leaders during his visit.

A number of agreements are expected to be signed with the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project being one of the most important among all. (ANI)