Abdullah Gul

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has arrived in India on February 7 with a group of ministers, mayors and business people to take up improvement of bilateral relations, focusing on economic ties.

The President held a press conference ahead of his departure at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, emphasizing that the visit is of vital importance in terms of being the first presidential visit to India in the last 15 years.

Mr. Gul and the delegation were welcomed at the Indira Gandhi Airport by Turkey’s Ambassador to New Delhi Levent Bilman and senior officials from the Indian Foreign Ministry.

Soon after arrival on Sunday, the President comes together with Turkish business people.

The President’s agenda in India comprises tete a tete meeting with Indian President Pratihba Devisingh Patil, Vice-President Ansari, Prime Minister Singh, Foreign Minister Krishna, Chairman of the Congress Sonia Gandhi, and Chairman of the Main Opposition Party Swaraj.

President Gul will also receive honorary doctorate from Amity University in New Delhi and attend inauguration ceremony of the new building of Turkey’s Embassy in Mumbai.

Drawing attention to the facts that India has the second largest population in the world with the third largest gross domestic product (GDP), Gül said the Turkish delegation accompanying him will also meet their counterparts to seek opportunities of cooperation.

On February 12-13, the President is scheduled to pay an official visit to Bangladesh to meet Bangladeshi President Mohammad Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Economy Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith as well as contacting business people in the context of Turkish-Bangladeshi Business Forum. The President will receive an honorary doctorate from Dakka University.

TRT