Leaders discuss trade, investment, defence and security
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a productive meeting on Thursday, December 21, 2023, in New Delhi, where they discussed various areas of potential cooperation between India and Türkiye. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction with the current level of bilateral relations and agreed to enhance them further in the fields of trade and investment, defence and security, civil aviation and shipping, energy and tourism, and culture and education.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, such as the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and the fight against terrorism. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of democracy, pluralism, human rights, and the rule of law, and stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation for peace and stability.
Trade volume expected to reach $15 billion by 2025
One of the main outcomes of the meeting was the signing of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) agreement, which aims to facilitate and promote bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. The JETCO will be co-chaired by the commerce ministers of both sides and will meet annually to review the progress and identify new areas of cooperation.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements in the fields of health, tourism, information technology, disaster management, and cultural exchange. They also inaugurated a business forum, where they addressed a gathering of prominent entrepreneurs and investors from both countries. They urged the business communities to take advantage of the opportunities and synergies offered by the two economies and to increase the bilateral trade volume, which stood at $8.6 billion in 2022, to $15 billion by 2025.
Defence and security cooperation to be enhanced
Another key area of discussion was the defence and security cooperation between India and Türkiye, which has been growing steadily in recent years. The two leaders acknowledged the potential for collaboration in the fields of defence production, research and development, joint exercises, and counter-terrorism. They also agreed to strengthen the existing mechanisms of defence dialogue and consultation, and to explore new avenues of partnership, such as in the domains of cyber security, space, and maritime security.
The two leaders also expressed their solidarity and support to each other in the face of the common threats and challenges posed by terrorism, extremism, and radicalism. They condemned all forms of terrorism and violence, and reiterated their call for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to combat this menace. They also emphasized the need to prevent the use of the internet and social media for terrorist propaganda and recruitment.
Civil aviation and shipping sectors to benefit from new agreements
The two leaders also discussed the prospects of cooperation in the civil aviation and shipping sectors, which are vital for enhancing the connectivity and mobility between the two countries. They welcomed the signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA), which will allow the designated airlines of both sides to operate more flights and routes, and to offer more competitive fares and services to the passengers. The ASA will also facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services between the two countries, and boost the tourism and trade sectors.
The two leaders also expressed their satisfaction with the signing of a Maritime Cooperation Agreement (MCA), which will provide a framework for cooperation in the fields of maritime safety and security, marine environment protection, maritime education and training, and maritime transport and logistics. The MCA will also enable the exchange of information and best practices, and the conduct of joint activities and projects in the maritime domain.
Energy and tourism sectors to witness increased collaboration
The two leaders also explored the possibilities of cooperation in the energy and tourism sectors, which are crucial for the sustainable development and prosperity of both countries. They recognized the potential for collaboration in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technologies, and agreed to share their experiences and expertise in these areas. They also expressed their interest in enhancing the cooperation in the conventional energy sources, such as oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy, and agreed to work together for ensuring the energy security and diversification of both countries.
The two leaders also acknowledged the importance of tourism as a source of income, employment, and cultural exchange, and agreed to promote and facilitate the travel and tourism between the two countries. They noted the increase in the number of tourists from both sides in recent years, and expressed their desire to further boost this trend. They also welcomed the signing of a Tourism Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which will provide a platform for cooperation in the fields of tourism marketing, promotion, investment, product development, and human resource development. The TCA will also enable the exchange of information and best practices, and the conduct of joint activities and events in the tourism sector.
Cultural and educational ties to be strengthened
The two leaders also emphasized the need to foster the cultural and educational ties between the two countries, which are based on the shared values and heritage of the two civilizations. They appreciated the role of the cultural centers, such as the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Ankara and the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centre (YETCC) in New Delhi, in promoting the cultural diversity and understanding between the two peoples. They also welcomed the signing of a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP), which will facilitate the exchange of artists, scholars, writers, and performers, and the organization of cultural festivals, exhibitions, and seminars in both countries.
The two leaders also recognized the importance of education as a key driver of social and economic development, and agreed to enhance the cooperation in the fields of higher education, vocational education, and skill development. They also agreed to increase the exchange of students, teachers, and researchers, and to encourage the collaboration between the academic and research institutions of both countries. They also welcomed the signing of a Cooperation Agreement on Education (CAE), which will provide a framework for cooperation in the fields of curriculum development, quality assurance, accreditation, and recognition of qualifications.
