President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking on his return from India, said Turkey's relations with India were founded on three important bases; political, economic and cultural.
During the one-day visit, he had the opportunity to meet with President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.
On the political and strategic front, the two countries continue to agree on the need for a complete overhaul of the United Nations. "India wants to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. As does Germany and Japan. So do we. We asked India to lead the reform effort. India welcomed our proposal to discuss the reforms."
Turkey's good relations with Pakistan was not an impediment to developing close ties with India, affirmed the president, which he had the opportunity to express directly to Modi during the visit.
The two countries also shared a clear, common perspective against terrorism, said Erdoğan. "I especially asked them to take action against the FETÖ presence in India. He [Modi] had called me on July 16, a day after the coup attempt and told me that they were ready to do what was needed. They even began to shut down some FETÖ schools. We shared all the up-to-date information we have with them."
On the economic front, the business forum with around 160 Turkish businessmen attracted significant attention, Erdoğan said, adding that Modi himself, who usually did not attend such gatherings, did so.
Erdoğan also mentioned his meeting with the representatives of 12 Indian conglomerates, with special focus on the use of local currencies for bilateral commercial ties.
India's Smart Cities Mission and the Make in India initiative were great opportunities for Turkish constructors, Erdoğan said. "They are planning 40 million units. We built 760,000 units alone with the Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ). This does not include the private sector. We have huge potential and told our Indian counterparts that we may contribute to their projects."
Turkish-Indian ties are especially important considering Turkey's aim to expand its economic presence in Asia, including China, Russia and the Central Sian republics, Erdoğan argued. "Our trade with India was $2.6 billion in 2007. As of end of 2016, it increased to $6.4 billion.
On the cultural and historical ties with India, Erdoğan noted that the Indian leadership had always been by Turkey's side during the Balkan and the Independence Wars in the early 20th century and that there was determination on both sides to broaden the cultural links between the two countries.
When asked about the attitude of Indian businessmen toward Turkey, Erdoğan said he saw a willingness to increase investment. "They have certain reservations, some of which are wrong and some are right. We provide significant incentives to strategic investments."
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