As far as we know Turkmenistan is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are notarised in Turkmenistan, legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then attested by the Embassy of India in Ashgabat. Indian citizens can usually sign before the Indian consular officer. Turkmenistan is not a reciprocating territory, and India and Turkmenistan have a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Turkmen notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes ahead of Turkmenistan all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- Not in force as far as known: consular attestation (check current status)
Indians in Turkmenistan and Turkmen business with India
The Indian community in Turkmenistan is small, made up mostly of professionals in pharmaceuticals, construction, oil and gas services, IT and education. Indian medicines have a strong presence in the Turkmen market, and Indian companies have taken part in infrastructure and industrial projects. The Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline is the best-known joint project. Turkmen students and patients also come to India, and some Turkmen and Indian couples have married.
We help with powers of attorney, contracts with Indian companies, buying and selling property in India, recovering money from Indian parties, succession and marriage registration.
Signing documents in Turkmenistan for use in India
Turkmenistan is not, as far as we are aware, a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents follow the legalisation route. Confirm the current procedure with us before you sign, as official processes in Turkmenistan can take time. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a state notary in Turkmenistan with your passport, usually with a Turkmen or Russian translation.
- Have the document legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ashgabat.
- Have it attested by the Embassy of India in Ashgabat, then courier it to India and stamp it within three months.
Indian citizens can usually sign directly before the Indian consular officer, which is much quicker. Turkmen and Russian documents need a certified English translation. Courier services from Turkmenistan can be slow, so plan for extra time.
Most requested services from Turkmenistan
These six services cover most of what people and businesses in Turkmenistan need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from Turkmenistan and what then happens in India.
Power of Attorney
Sign at the Embassy in Ashgabat and let a relative act for you in India.
Commercial Contracts
Pharmaceutical, construction and energy contracts with Indian companies.
Buying & Selling Property
NRIs in Turkmenistan buy and sell Indian homes through an attorney holder.
Money Recovery from India
Turkmen businesses recover unpaid dues and advances from Indian parties.
Succession Certificate
Heirs in Turkmenistan claim deposits and shares of relatives who died in India.
Marriage Registration
Indian and Turkmen couples register their marriage for visas, OCI and property.
Tax treaty and doing business with India
India and Turkmenistan have a double taxation avoidance agreement in force since 1997. Turkmen tax residents can claim treaty rates on Indian income with a tax residence certificate and Form 10F. Turkmenistan does not share a land border with India, so a Turkmen company can usually invest in India under the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps. Currency controls in Turkmenistan can make cross-border payments slow, so contracts should set out payment routes and timing carefully.
Property and moving money
NRIs in Turkmenistan can buy and sell Indian residential and commercial property, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, freely, and repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax. Turkmen citizens without OCI status generally cannot buy property in India but can lease and inherit it. Indians working in Turkmenistan often keep their savings in NRE accounts in India because of local currency restrictions.
Turkmen judgments and family matters
Turkmenistan has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, so a Turkmen judgment can only found a fresh suit in India. Check with us whether an arbitration award from Turkmenistan can be enforced in India under the New York Convention before relying on it. A marriage registered in Turkmenistan is recognised in India if valid there, and a Turkmen spouse can usually apply for OCI after two years of a registered marriage.
All services for clients in Turkmenistan
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Turkmenistan
The Embassy in Ashgabat provides passport, OCI, consular and attestation services for Indian nationals in Turkmenistan.
- Embassy of India, Ashgabat
Frequently asked questions
Does Turkmenistan issue apostilles for documents going to India?
As far as we know Turkmenistan is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are legalised in Turkmenistan and attested by the Indian Embassy.
Can I sign a power of attorney at the Embassy in Ashgabat?
Indian nationals generally can sign there before the consular officer.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Turkmenistan?
Yes, in force since 1997.
Can a Turkmen company invest in India?
Usually yes, under the automatic route.
Can a Turkmen judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. A fresh suit is needed.
Should I keep savings in India?
Many Indians in Turkmenistan prefer NRE accounts because of local currency controls.
Can my Turkmen spouse get OCI?
Usually yes, after two years of a registered marriage.
How do we communicate?
By email, video call and WhatsApp where available. Turkmenistan is 30 minutes behind India.