Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in India Sunday on a five-day state visit during which the two sides are expected to focus on scaling up economic and political ties.
Gul was accompanied by a high-profile business delegation, members of parliament and senior ministers, including Mehmet Aydin, the state minister and co-chairman of the Joint Economic Commission, Health Minister Recep Akdag and Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will Tuesday hold wide-ranging talks with Gul on bilateral, regional and global issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.

The visit takes place in the shadow of Ankara keeping New Delhi out of an important conclave it hosted on Afghanistan last month, apparently at the behest of Islamabad.

Civil nuclear cooperation is also expected to be discussed between the two sides.

Turkey is keen to harness atomic energy for generating electricity. India, with its advanced nuclear technology, is ready to offer Turkey help in constructing civilian reactors.

The trip will focus on scaling up the over $3 billion bilateral trade between India, the world’s second fastest growing economy, and Turkey, a vibrant economy located strategically between Europe and Asia.

Gul will also visit Agra Wednesday. He will inaugurate the Turkish consulate in Mumbai Thursday. He will also be conferred an honorary doctorate by the Amity University Monday.