(Article) India-Turkey Relation (Joint Declaration on Scientific and Technological Cooperation) | Aspirants Times

Aspirants Times: India-Turkey Relation (Joint Declaration on Scientific and Technological
Cooperation)

India and Turkey on February 9, 2010 desired to develop and expand cooperation in science and technology and in other areas of common interest and launched an Advanced Science and Technology Dialogue, besides offering to actively study the possibilities of working together in mutually identified projects in areas such as telecommunications, computerization, non-technology space research, bio-technology and environmental technology and convene a joint workshop in 2010.

On the occasion of the visit of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, to India, a joint statement was issued in which both sides:
Considering the importance of science and technology for the economic and social development of both the countries have desired to develop and expand cooperation in the field of science and technology in areas of common interest besides noting that together with economic and commercial relations, cooperation in science and technology offer great potential as a driver of bilateral relations. The joint statement has recognized that cooperation in science and technology will not only advance the state of science and technology to the benefit of both countries but also strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between people of both countries.

The statement also reaffirmed the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of India signed on 17 September 2003,
 
It also declared that the two countries launch an Advanced Science and Technology Dialogue, which will strive to promote the maximum use of the opportunities that have risen for mutually beneficial interaction in the field of science and technology, which would add to the strength of the two national economies, and to the welfare and prosperity of the people of both the countries.
 
The dialogue will also strengthen this interaction with special emphasis on high-technology and frontier areas of research and application and will encourage and support broadened and expanded relations between the scientific and technological communities in both countries by creating favorable conditions for cooperation.
 
Advanced Science and Technology Dialogue will also encourage cooperation through exchange of ideas, information, skills and technologies; exchange of scientists and technical experts; the onvening of joint seminars, scientific conferences, and meetings; training and enhancing the skills of scientists and technical experts; the conduct of joint research projects and studies and other forms of scientific and technological cooperation as may be mutually agreed upon,
 
India and Turkey will actively study the possibilities of working together in mutually identified projects in areas such as telecommunication, computerisation, information technology, space research, biotechnology and environmental technology.
 
Both sides will actively explore the possibilities for joint research and development activities making use of best practices in this field and encourage, facilitate and support the development of direct contacts and cooperation between government agencies and organizations, universities, science and research centers, institutes and institutions, private sector firms and other entities of the two countries.
 
The joint statement stated "We also agree, therefore, that Turkey and India convene a joint workshop in 2010 among designated representatives to elaborate and bring into being the Advanced Science and Technology Dialogue in accordance with this Joint Declaration.”

Joint Declaration on Terrorism

On the occasion of the visit of the President of the Republic of Turkey to India, both sides:
» Recognising that terrorism poses a grave threat to global peace and security;
» Noting that the forces of terrorism are nourished by extremist ideologies;
» Stressing that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group;
» Recognising further that terrorism seeks to weaken, in particular, democratic societies and polities that are based on the rule of law and committed to inclusive growth;
» Denouncing those who sponsor, abet and instigate terrorism and provide them safe havens;
» Affirming their common commitment to fight terrorism and recognising that their counter-terrorism efforts constitute an important part of the international community's efforts to eradicate terrorism;
» Calling upon the international community to comply with all the provisions of international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols as well as other related international instruments and strengthen international cooperation in this regard;
» Recognising the need for the conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism as a vital component of the international legal framework in the global struggle against terrorism; calling on the international community to conclude the Convention without further delay;
» Decided to enhance their cooperation in this field;
» To this end, their officials have been tasked to work towards developing an action plan with timelines and specific measures. For this purpose, the officials will take into account the existing structures of cooperation such as the Joint Working Group against Terrorism;
» Agreed to work together and with other like-minded States for the finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the earliest.

Turkey Profile

Name of the country : Republic of Turkey
Capital: Ankara
Population : 67.9 million (2000 census), 71.52 million(Est: Dec 08)
Languages spoken : Turkish
Basic foreign, international trade polices: Turkey seeks membership of the European Union which is central to its foreign policy. Relationship with neighbouring countries and with the Middle-East, Balkans and the Central Asian/Caucasus countries is another priority area. Economic liberalization was initiated in 1981. Turkey follows liberalized economic policy and has a number of PTA/FTA including Customs Union arrangement with EU.

• Major industries, global companies : Major industrial houses including Koc, Sabanci, Dogan etc. Numerous multinational companies functioning in Turkey
• Significant economic activities : Textiles & garments, construction, tourism, leather, food processing, automobile, mining, agriculture etc.
• Global Trade and Investment : Large adverse balance of trade despite high export growth (nearly 60% trade with OECD countries).
• Total imports into Turkey : $ 69.3 bn (2003); $97.1 bn (2004); $ 110 bn (2005); $ 133 bn (2006); $ 170 bn (2007), $ 202 bn (2008)
• Major exporting countries : Russian Federation, Germany, China, Italy, the USA, Iran, UK, Switzerland and Spain
• Total exports from Turkey : $ 47.2 bn (2003); $62.7 bn (2004); $ 73.1 bn (2005); $ 92 bn (2006), $ 107 bn (2007), $132 bn (2008).

Investments in Turkey

Turkey is an attractive country for foreign investors with a business-friendly regulatory environment. It has a large dynamic market with a relatively high quality labour force and location advantage, with easy access to regional markets. It is a member of EU Customs Union, providing access to the large European market. The net foreign direct investment in Turkey was $ 10.03 billion in 2005, 19.92 billion in 2006 and 21.97 billion in 2007. The main beneficiaries of FDI have been hotels, tourism and leisure, textile and auto component sectors and the main sources of investment are USA, UK and Germany.

India-Turkey Relation

During the Turkish War of Independence, the people of India contributed funds for the Turkish cause – which was partly used to train and assist the Turkish Army and partly for establishing the first Turkish bank (Isbank). Diplomatic relations between India and Turkey were established in 1948.

Political Relations: Bilateral relations are characterized by warmth and cordiality. The two countries share common values including commitment to secularism and democratic principles. Indian economic progress and technological advancement have been instrumental in recent upsurge in interest towards India in Turkey.

India-Turkey Bilateral Trade (in US$ million)

2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008

India’s Export : 564.0 718.8 1043 1,274.4 1,579.0 2,300.0 2457.48
Turkey’s export : 69.5 71.4 136 219.8 222.0 347.0 543.0
Total : 633.5 790.2 1179 1,494.2 1,801.0 2,647.0 3000.487 ???

The major items of India’s exports to Turkey include cotton yarn, synthetic yarn, organic dyes, organic chemicals, denim, steel (bars and rods), granite, antibiotics, carpets, unwrought zinc, sesame seed, TV CRTs, mobile handsets, clothing and apparel.

Turkey’s exports to India includes poppy seed, auto components, marble, textile machinery, denim, carpets, cumin seeds, minerals (vermiculite, perlite and chlorites) and fittings and steel products.

Indian companies in Turkey

More than 60 Indian companies have registered businesses in Turkey in the form of joint ventures, trade and representative offices.
IRCON undertook railway projects in nineties. Kalpataru, in association with Barmek, a Turkish company undertook electricity transmission projects in Turkey in 2003. Punj Lloyd, in association with LIMAK, a Turkish construction company, constructed a segment of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

An Indian company Polyplex set up a polyplex film manufacturing factory in Chorlu, Turkey in 2005 with a total capital investment of US $ 60 million. The production from the factory is utilized mostly for exporting to West European countries and partly to Turkish market.

Indo-Rama Group started a production unit for polyester fibre. TATA Motors have an existing tie-up with Mesin Limited of Isotlar Group for marketing and after sale service for TATA vehicles in Turkey. For past few years, they have been selling TATA Pickup vehicles in Turkey. In February 2005, TATA Motors launched their Passenger Vehicles in Turkey.

This included TATA Indica and TATA Indigo models. TATA Motors has started an Assembly Unit in Adana for assembly of TATA buses primarily for export to Middle East. Mahindra & Mahindra has formed a joint venture marketing network with ILCE Otomotiv Servisve Ticaret A.S. for its utility vehicles and tractors in Turkey. Approval for utility vehicles has been obtained.

Limak Constructions, a consortium of GMR Infrastructure Ltd and Malaysia Airport Holding won a BOT contract of Euro 1.932 bn for building a new international passenger terminal at the Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul. Industrial houses such as Reliance, Ispat, Aditya Birla Group etc have established their trading offices in Turkey to look for opportunities in the market here.
Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd(TAFE), a Chennai-based company of the Amalgamations group, has announced on October 13 2008 that it plans to set up a tractor manufacturing plant in Turkey. This $ 20 million plant to be operational in 2009 and this plant will have an initial capacity of 15,000 units/year.

The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), in collaboration with Çalik Enerji of Turkey, was granted license for establishing an oil refinery with a capacity of 15 million tons a year in Ceyhan, envisaging a total investment of approx. US$ 5 billion. The project would primarily focus on exports to the European markets and the USA.