India, Turkmenistan ink pacts on education, science and technology

New Delhi, May 26 (ANI): India and Turkmenistan have inked two pacts on cooperation in the education and science and technology sectors.

A joint statement signed by the two sides on Tuesday said that both Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had expressed satisfaction over the signing of the Education Exchange Programme and the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology.

The science and technology agreement would facilitate interactions in the spheres of science and technology, organizing visits of students and faculties, development of links between educational and scientific institutions and implementation of joint scientific and research projects.

Both India and Turkmenistan have agreed to extend cultural exchange programmes.

The programme would facilitate a bilateral exchange of cultural, educational troupes.

During the meetings, it was agreed that joint research studies on common historical heritage and developing the historical sites would be encouraged.

Both sides also agreed to organize cultural festivals for showcasing their rich heritage in each other's country.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the setting up of a Hindi Chair in the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmamed Azadi in Ashgabat.

The Turkmen side agreed to take forward a proposal from the Indian side to establish an Urdu Chair in one of the higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan.

The joint statement said that both sides expressed satisfaction at the signing of the education exchange programme and the agreement on cooperation in the field of science and technology.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the positive experience of cooperation in the field of education within the framework of the programmes implemented by the Government of India and welcomed the establishment of an Information Technology Centre in Ashgabat with India's developmental and technical support. (ANI)