New Delhi -- Describing India as a major economic, intellectual and scientific force, visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul Monday expressed keenness to develop relations with the country in varied fields and said it was working as a facilitator for a multitude of transport projects between Asia and Europe.

""We want to develop relationship with India across several fields like construction, energy, science and technology and education,"" said Gul, who underlined that India will be the second largest economy by 2020.
Addressing students of Amity University after being honored with a doctoral degree, he said one of the factors that was common to both the countries was the involvement of private sector in consolidating economic development.
President Gul departed on Sunday for a six-day state visit to India which will make him the first Turkish head of the state to visit India in 15 years.
During a press conference in Istanbul, prior to departing for India, Gul underlined that India has the second largest population in the world and the third largest economy in regard to its gross national income.
In addition to his spouse, Hayrunnisa Gul, the Turkish president is being accompanied by a 180-member delegation, including State Minister Mehmet Ayd?n, Health Minister Recap Akda?, Transportation Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m, parliamentarians, mayors and businesspeople.
After wrapping up his talks in India on Friday, Gul will proceed to Dhaka, Bangladesh, for a two-day official visit.
According to press reports, India’s unhappiness for being kept out of the regional conference on Afghanistan held in Turkey recently is expected to be conveyed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Gul in a meeting scheduled on Tuesday.
During the meeting the two leaders are expected to take stock of the situation in Afghanistan, where both countries have stake, sources said.
Photo: Turkish President Abdullah Gul met with Indian opinion leaders over a working meal in New Delhi on Monday