• The Union Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Turkmenistan on cooperation in disaster management.

• The MoU between India and Turkmenistan seeks to put in place a system whereby both countries will be benefited from the disaster management mechanisms of each other.

• It will also help in strengthening the areas of preparedness, response and capacity building in the field.

• India currently has bilateral or multilateral agreements, MoUs, joint declaration of Intent or Memorandums of Cooperation in disaster management with Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Italy and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 

Highlights of the MoU:

• The MoU envisages cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis in various areas — monitoring and forecasting emergencies, assessment of their consequences and interaction between appropriate organisations involved in disaster management through competent authorities.

• The two countries will jointly plan, develop and implement research projects, exchange scientific and technical publications, and publish results of research works in disaster management.

• Exchange of information, periodicals or any other publications, video and photo materials, as well as technologies will be done, as mutually agreed, within the scope of the MoU.

• Joint conferences, seminars, workshops as well as exercises and training in relevant fields will be organised. There will also be exchange of experts and experiences in disaster management.

• Training and capacity building of first responders in search and rescue operations.

• Rendering assistance, as mutually agreed, for providing technical facilities and equipment, enhancing early warning systems and capacity building of the Parties in disaster management.

Some quick facts on Turkmenistan:

• Turkmenistan was one of the Republics of the former USSR that proclaimed independence on October 27, 1991. 

• It shares borders with Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the north and north-east, Iran in the south and Afghanistan in the southeast.

• Over 70 per cent of the country is covered by the Karakum desert. 

• The main river of Turkmenistan is Amu Darya, which enters the country from Afghanistan and flows along the north-eastern borders before it enters Uzbekistan.

• The Karakum canal carries the waters of Amu Darya across the desert and is the main source of drinking water and irrigation. 

• Historically, Turkmenistan was at the crossroads of different cultures and empires. Merv was one of world's largest ancient cities on the Silk route in the beginning of the 13th century and Konye Urgench was a major centre of culture. 

India-Turkmenistan Relations

• India enjoys close, friendly and historical ties with Turkmenistan. The Turkman Gate built in Delhi in memory of Saint Shams-ul-Arifeen Shan Turkmen Bayabani, who is believed to have lived in India during 13th Century, bears testimony to this friendship. In modern times bilateral relations have been strengthened by regular high-level visits.

• Institutional mechanisms between the two governments, namely Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) further buttress bilateral cooperation. 

• India provides training for Turkmen nationals under its ITEC programme. Since the inception of the programme for Turkmenistan in 1994, over 400 Turkmen nationals have been trained in various courses.

The TAPI pipeline project

• The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) project was announced in May 2002. India joined the consortium in 2008. 

• The aim behind the TAPI project is to export around 33 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas annually through 1,814 km of the pipeline from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. 

• The trans-national pipeline project that will help ease energy shortages in South Asia.

• In 2014, TAPI Pipeline Consortium Ltd (TPCL) was incorporated in Isle of Man, a British Crown dependency. The Shareholders Agreement of TPCL was signed in December 2015 under which Turkmenistan holds 85 per cent share and India, Pakistan and Afghanistan hold 5 per cent share each.

• Asian Development Bank is the transaction advisor for the project.

• Work began on the Turkmen leg of the pipeline in December 2015.

• Construction on the Afghan side was inaugurated in February 2018.

• The pipeline will enter India at Fazilka, Punjab. The gas available from the project is expected to boost development of industrial and commercial activities in Fazilka district.

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