Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in New Delhi on Sunday to hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key bilateral and regional issues, including India’s NSG membership bid and ways to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and trade.
Live updates:
6.45 p.m.: India categorically conveyed to Turkey its position that Kashmir was essentially a terrorism issue, says MEA. India told Turkey it is ready to resolve all bilateral issues with Pak, including Kashmir: MEA on Turkish President’s suggestion of multilateral dialogue.
3.45 p.m: Mr. Erdogan asserted that "India and Turkey should stay together in combating these challenges."
3.44 p.m.: Mr. Erdogan said "We are telling all our friends about the dangers that Fetho group poses. This group is present in 100 countries." He added "Xenophobia is a major problem in Europe."
3.43 p.m.: While speaking at the joint press statement Mr. Erdogan said "Energy and infrastructure have a lot of bilateral potential. Flights and destinations from Turkey should be increased. We suggest we should trade in our own currencies and avoid other currency." Mr. Erdogan further added that "Fethulla group is a terrorist network".
3.40 p.m.: Mr. Erdogan said "We will never bow down to terrorism. India is an important country in terms of diplomacy and economic strength."
He added "I also spoke to External Affairs Minister Sudhma Swaraj and mr. Modi and had a productive engagement. We spoke about measures that will advance bilateral ties."
3.39 p.m.: Mr. Erdogan said "I condemn terror attack of April 24. Terror networks spread tears and unhappiness."
3.38 p.m.: While speaking at the joint press statement, Mr. Erdogan said "I am honoured to be welcomed by President of India and PM Modi"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkey President Erdogan during a joint press statement in New Delhi on Monday.
3.37 p.m.: President Erdogan and Prime Minister Modi discussed need for UNSC expansion. Mr. Modi also thanked President Erdogan for productive discussion
3.36 p.m.: The Prime Minister said " Nations need to stand and act against states that finance cross border terror."
3.35 p.m.: Mr. Modi said "Will encourage stronger partnership of Turkish companies in flagship programmes." He also said "Constantly evolving threat from terrorism is shared worry of India and Turkey."
3.31 p.m.: Mr. Modi said Rumi found home in Turkey but enriches India. He also has held comprehensive discussion on bilateral ties.
3.30 p.m.: Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanks Turkish President Erdogan for hosting him during G20 summit. He said this in his joint press statement along with the Turkish President
3.30 p.m.: India and Turkey joint press statement begins.
3.29 p.m.: Second mou is on cultural exchange between 2017 to 2020. Third MoU between telecom authorities of India and Turkey
3.25 p.m.: MoU signed between foreign service institutes of India and Turkey
11: 50 a.m.: 'Come to Turkey for honeymoon'
"79,000 tourists from India visited Turkey but we want more Indian tourists," President Erdogan says. PM Modi has turned tourism into a driving force.
"Come to Turkey for your honeymoon."
Turkish Airlines would like to increase destinations and flights to India, he says.
11: 45 a.m.: Turkish and Indian companies have made investment in third countries. The potential for bilateral investment much higher. Turkey is a gateway for India, President Erdogan says.
Turkey is the largest democracy in the region. India is fastest growing economy. India Turkey Space cooperation is noteworthy
Nuclear energy and renewable energy are possible fields of cooperation, he says.
11: 25 a.m.: First Speech by President Erdogan begins
"My friend Modi and I are very happy to attend this organised by FICCI and CII. Since independence of India ties improved I met PM Modi before this meeting and agreed for comprehensive economic cooperation."
10:15 am: President Erdogan will be hosted at the Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium of the Jamia Milia Islamia where Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen. (Retired) M.A. Zaki will confer the Degree of Doctor of Letters to him.
In recent years, Jamia Milia Islamia has emerged as an important centre for studies in Turkish language and culture.
10:00 am: Setting the stage for intense diplomacy, Turkey has urged for multilateral dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. In comments made to an Indian TV channel, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an end to the casualties in the Valley and said Turkey is willing to be involved in finding a lasting solution to the question of Kashmir.
“We should not allow more casualties to occur and by strengthening multilateral dialogue, we can be involved, and through multilateral dialogue, I think we have to seek out ways to settle this question once and for all, which will benefit both countries,” President Erdogan was quoted as saying in an interview to news channel WION, according to a press release issued by the channel.
9:45 am: Issues relating to regional security, situation in the Middle East, particularly Syria, are likely to figure during talks between Modi and Erdogan.
9:30 am: With Turkey being a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the issue of India’s membership bid for the elite group is likely to figure during the talks between the two leaders.
Turkey is not directly opposed to India’s NSG membership but has been maintaining that the powerful bloc should come out with a system to consider the entry of the countries which are not signatory to the Nuclear Non—Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as also supporting Pakistan’s case.
9:10 am: Apart from his wife Emine Erdogan, the Turkish President is accompanied by senior cabinet ministers and a 150-member business delegation that will take part in a meeting of the India-Turkey Business Forum.
9:00 am: This is Erdogan’s first foreign visit after winning a controversial referendum on April 16 that further consolidated his executive powers.
