Istanbul: The Indian Consulate General in Istanbul celebrated the nation’s 76th Republic Day with a special reception on Tuesday at a hotel in Istanbul. The event was attended by India’s Ambassador to Trkiye Muktesh Pardeshi, Consul General Mijito Vinito, Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sulun, Turkish Foreign Ministry representative Ambassador Ayse Sozen Usluer, and numerous other guests.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Pardeshi highlighted India’s objective to double its bilateral trade with Trkiye to strengthen bilateral relations. The trade volume between the two countries was $14 billion two years ago but has averaged around $10 billion in recent years after a decline in 2024. Pardeshi mentioned efforts at the government level to organize a meeting of trade ministers to address key commercial issues such as market access, tariff reductions, and trade barriers, which are crucial for achieving the $20 billion trade target.

Pardeshi emphasized the importance of business engagement, encouraging traders and businesspeople from India to visit Trkiye and explore opportunities. Similarly, he urged Turkish business partners to visit India to witness the progress made in recent years.

Additionally, Ambassador Pardeshi discussed India’s advancements in the space sector, noting significant achievements like an uncrewed moon landing in 2023 and the development of a space docking station. On January 16, India successfully completed an uncrewed space docking, becoming the fourth country to achieve this milestone, joining the US, Russia, and China. Pardeshi expressed interest in exploring space as a potential area for bilateral cooperation with Trkiye, citing India’s cost-effective approach to space technology.