ANKARA - Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Saturday that all Indian officials whom he met told him that India was influenced by the Turkish War of Independence and particularly by the personality of Ataturk, during its independence fight.
Arinc completed his official visit to India which took place between 15-21 Dec. and returned to Turkey.
Speaking at Esenboga Airport, Arinc said that he met with Indian high officials including Indian President, Speaker of the Upper Chamber of parliament and Prime Minister and noted that these meetings were held in a friendly and sincere environment.
Arinc said that both Turkey and India are model countries which are devoted to democratic and secular principles, and remarked that ''both countries suffered from terrorism. They don't accept terrorism and they fight against it.'' Arinc said that Turkey harshly condemned the terrorist attack that took place in the Indian Parliament.
Arinc stated that both countries share the view that the relations between the parliaments of the two countries have to be developed, and that necessary steps will be taken to set up friendship groups which will also have women deputies.
Stating that he invited Indian Prime Minister and House of People Speaker to Turkey to increase mutual visits between the two countries, Arinc said that commercial relations between Turkey and India should be improved.
Arinc noted that Indian ministers welcomed Turkish Airlines' demand to put a direct flight to New Delhi, stating that he found the opportunity to see the works of art belonging to Turkish-Islam civilization during his visit to India.
Noting that they also had chance to see India's progress in technology when visiting information technology, space technology and aviation industry centers in Bangalore, Arinc said that there were significant cooperation possibilities in that field between Turkey and India.
Arinc quoted Indian officials as saying that they were impressed by Turkish Independence War and personality of Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, during India's fight for independence and stated that they had the opportunity to visit mausoleum of Gandhi, the founder of India.
Arinc expressed condolences to family of Ankara University's Associate Professor Dr. Necip Hablemitoglu who was killed in an assassination last Wednesday.
Arinc, who defined assassination as ''a hateful attack'' said that he hoped the assailants would be captured as soon as possible and brought to court.