Annual Report 1995-96
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Five years after the end of the Cold War, a new political equilibrium for the nation states of the World remained elusive as no new determining factors emerged. The consequences of the end of the Cold-War era remain uncertain. The momentous changes on the world scene, that began in the 90s' continued to have far- reaching implications for India's foreign policy. Several States were embroiled in regional and sub-regional issues. Whilst there was some forward movement in such areas as the Middle-East and former Yugoslavia, deteriorating conditions were in evidence in Afghanistan, the Caucasus and parts of Africa. The global threat of cross-border terrorism has not receded and needs to be firmly checked. The UN observed its 50th anniversary during which issues of democratisation of some important organs of the UN, such as the UNSC, werehighlighted, as were the UN's financial difficulties. The economic growth of developing countries remained constrained by tariff and non-tariff barriers. A number of important international conferences under UN auspices took farreaching decisions on issues of social development. Questions such as Human Rights, Environment, the Status of Women came into active consideration. TheNAM Summit was held in Cartagena Colombia). It gave fresh impetus to the non-aligned movement and reaffirmed its relevance in present day circumstances.
India adjusted and responded to this evolving external situation with dynamism and a practical approach and clear
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perception of her vital national interests. India faced the new challenges with determination and continued to promote her political, security and economic concerns. The Government's foreign policy during the past year remained focussed on the need to build an environment conducive for the political and economic well-being of the people.
India's relations with the immediate neighbours remained a matter of highest priority and a conscious and purposive effort was made to improve cooperation. India continued to play an active role in Nepal's developmental efforts. A. landmark 'treaty on Joint development of the Mahakali river was signed, opening up important new possibilities for cooperation in water resource exploitation. Relations with Bhutan were marked by deep mutual understanding. A successful visit by the King of Bhutan was marked by the signing of important agreements for the bilateral development of a major hydro-electric project at Tala and a large cement plant at Dungsum. A close understanding was built up with the newGovernment of Sri Lanka. India welcomed the proposals for devolution of power announced by President Kumaratunga. India has reiterated her faith in the need for a negotiated political settlement within the framework of the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka for arriving at a lasting and permanent solution to the ethnic problem. The Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement was operationalised. The issue of sharing of river waters with Bangladesh wassought to be pursued through bilateral dialogue. Trade with Bangladesh developed rapidly.
With Pakistan, India made several efforts to establish cordial and good neighbourly relations. Instead of responding positively, Pakistan continues to promote and encourage, cross-border terrorism. This challenge will be faced resolutely and rebuffed. The recent increment of arms supply to Pakistan from USA will only encourage it in its intransigence. India has repeatedly urged the Government of Pakistan to eschew the path of confrontation and conflict. As agreed in the Simla Agreement,- , India is ready to discuss bilateral issues with Pakistan without preconditions, and to resolve the outstanding differences
peacefully and bilaterally.
The situation in Afghanistan remained unstable and India extended her support for the UN process. India resumed her
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technical cooperation programme and provided humanitarian assistance.
Sino-Indian relations continued to improve and expand. The Government continued to work for the establishment of a long- term, stable and good neighbourly relationship with China and create a favourable climate in which the two countries can resolve outstanding issues, including the boundary question. The Prime Minister met the Chinese President in New York during the
UN's Special Commemorative Meeting. As a part of the implementation of the Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement, four Indian and Chinese posts, two on each side, in "close proximity". were pulled back.
India's relations with the US developed further Cooperation in
economic, commercial and technological fields increased in range
and content. The decision was taken by the US Congress to give a
one-time waiver to the Pressler Amendment and permit the supply
of advance US military equipment to Pakistan. The Government has
unambiguously conveyed India's concern at the adverse impact of
the US decision on India's security and on the environment for
peace, security and stability in the region.
The visit of the Prime Minister of Canada, accompanied by a large
team of provincial Premiers and Canadian businessmen, marked an
important new development in bilateral ties. The instruments of
Ratification of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between India and
Canada were exchanged.
India factored the emerging politico-economic integration of
Europe in her relationship with West European Countries.
Sustained efforts were made to strengthen EUs understanding of
issues of vital concern to India, both regional and global. A
Friends of India Group consisting of 60 MEPs has been constituted
in the European Parliament.
India's relations with the Russian Federation were marked with
traditional friendship and cordiality. Bilateral exchanges in a
number of fields expanded significantly. Relations with other
countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States also
continued to develop satisfactorily. The Prime Minister met
Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Ukranian Prime Minister
Marchuk in New York.
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The Central Asian Republics continued to attract attention in
view of their geo-strategic importance and India's cultural and
historical links with the region. The Prime Minister's visit to
the Kyrghyz Republic and Turkmenistan and the Tajikistan
President's visit to India further concretised long term plans
for political and economic contacts with the region. The signing
of the Trilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Transit between
India, Iran and Turkmenistan which seeks to establish a viable
surface route between these countries is a landmark.
India's close ties with the Gulf, West Asia and North Africa were
strengthened further The mutuality of interest and shared
associations over a long period continue to ensure close and
cordial relations between India and the countries in this region.
Geographical proximity and economic complementarity have thrown
open fresh opportunities for greater interaction between India
and these countries.
Special attention continued to be given to forging close economic
and political ties with ASEAN countries. The Prime Minister's
visit to Malaysia and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's visit to
India contributed towards growing mutual understanding. An
important break-through was achieved with ASEAN accepting India
as a Full Dialogue Partner It points to the intrinsic and
emerging complementarities between the dynamic and fast
consolidating economies of ASEAN and the large economy of-India.
The momentum of India's relations with Japan was maintained
through exchange of high level visits. Japan continued to be
India's largest bilateral donor of development assistance.
Government has welcomed this assistance.
The Prime Minister's visit to Egypt imparted greater dynamism to
the already existing friendly ties between the two countries.
India's relations with the PLO continued to be marked by close
understanding. India opened a Representative Office in the
Palestinian Authority (PA) administered areas of Gaza and West
Bank.
There was steady expansion in bilateral exchanges with Israel.
Several new cooperative ventures in the economic field were
initiated.
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The multifaceted relationship with Iran was further cemented by
the visit to India of President Rafsanjani. Both sides see
potential for a significant expansion of ties.
India maintained warm and friendly relations with African
countries. A programme of economic and technical cooperation with
several African states was sustained. India took part in the
Donors' Conference on Namibia held in Geneva and the Donor's
Conference on Angola held in Brussels.
India's cooperation with Latin American countries was
particularly significant in the multilateral context. During the
period under report the Non-aligned Summit and G-15 Summit were
held in the region. The Prime Minister led the Indian delegation
to these meetings. In the bilateral context, the President paid
successful visits to Chile and Trinidad & Tobago.
India actively participated in deliberations of the United
Nations and all its specialised agencies. At the UN's Special
Commemorative Meeting, the Prime Minister articulated India's
strong support to the concept of multilateralism of UN. India
continued her efforts in sensitising world opinion in favour of a
comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council. Issues of
international concern, like human rights, environment, non-
proliferation, transfer of advanced technologies and disarmament
in their foreign policy dimensions engaged attention.
On disarmament, India took the lead in promoting the adoption of
a resolution, for the first time in the UN General Assembly,
calling for time-bound elimination of nuclear weapons. India
emphasised the proposed treaties on the Complete Test Ban and the
Fissile Material Cut-off must be treated as an integral part of a
step-by-step approach towards global nuclear disarmament within a
time-bound framework.
India earned the UN's appreciation for her contribution to
various UN Peace Keeping Missions. Currently India's defence
personnel are engaged in UN Peace Keeping Operations in Angola,
Rwanda, Haiti, Liberia, Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission. On
terrorism, India effectively pursued her agenda
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for the international community to take concerted action against
this menace.
Other important meetings in which India took part were the World
Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen), the Commonwealth
Summit (Auckland), and the Fourth World Conference on Women
(Beijing).
The XI Non-aligned Conference of Heads of State I Government held
in Cartagena focussed on the continuing relevance and role of the
Non-aligned Movement (NAM) in the present day. The Prime Minister
led the Indian delegation. 'The final communique addressed
various issues of interest to India, including the question of
Security Council expansion, international economic issues and
disarmament.
An appropriate role in various multilateral economic groupings
was assumed by India. Trans-regional cooperation amongst
developing countries was continued in the activities of G-15
where India took an active part. The Prime Minister led India's
delegation to the G-15 Summit in Buenos Aires.
India hosted the Eighth SAARC Summit. Concrete steps were taken
to implement various programmes and projects for regional
cooperation brought up by SAARC, the most prominent being the
operationalisation of the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement
(SAPTA). It was agreed that efforts should be made to set up the
South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) by 2000 AD.
A special effort was made to attract foreign direct investment
and foreign institutional investment through concerted publicity
efforts and investment promotion events. A number of
publications, including sector-specific and region-specific
brochures, were produced. Among others, the Ministry coordinated
the visits of economic delegations from Ministry of International
Trade and Industry of Japan and Hong Kong Development Council.
India Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and the
Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme (SCAAP)
remained important instruments of South-South Cooperation. Apart
from major programmes in Bhutan and Nepal, 1364 training slots
under ITEC/SCAAP were provided.
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A large number of slots were also provided to defence personnel
for courses in Indian training institutions. Under the ITEC
programme, six projects were executed and 30 long term experts
are currently stationed in various developing countries. Aid
towards disaster relief was sent to 15 countries.
In the area of external publicity, anti-Indian propaganda was
effectively countered and a projection of a new image of India as
a promising economic and business destination was successfully
undertaken. In keeping with rapid development in information
technology, the External Publicity Division initiated steps to
open up a Home Page on the Internet World-Wide Web and to give
Indian television software a greater global reach and visibility.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) presented a
major programme of Russian Performing Arts. The focus of ICCR's
outgoing promotional activities during 1995 was a yearlong
Festival of India in Thailand. The Council also paid special
attention to the general welfare of international students and
took steps to familiarise them with India milieu. The Council has
mooted a proposal to set up an Indian Cultural Centre in Port-of-
Spain.
During 1995 the overall emphasis was on reducing the pendency of
Passport applications. As part of streamlining the procedure, a
simplified revised passport application form was introduced.
Greater security measures were introduced in the Passport booklet
to make it less subject to fraud.
The Ministry continued to arrange for the Haj Pilgrimage with the
number of pilgrims increasing to 56,000 from 31,000 last year. In
coordination with Central and State Haj Committees, satisfactory
arrangements were made for the transportation, stay and other
needs of the pilgrims. Facilities for the Kailash Mansarovar
Yatra organised by the Ministry were upgraded and the total
number of pilgrims was increased to 450.
The Policy Planning Division began compilation of bilateral
treaties and agreements signed by India with other countries
during 1971 to 1980 and 1995. The Documentation Service as well
as other operations and services of the Ministry's library were
computerised.
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The Foreign Service Institute conducted 9 courses during 1995
including one for foreign diplomats in which 26 diplomats from as
many countries were trained in diplomatic theory and practice.
To make the Indian Foreign Service more aware of and responsive
to the present day international situation, a 4-member Expert
Committee has been appointed to review the recruitment system.
New Missions in Slovakia and Burkina Faso and Posts in Glasgow
and Houston were opened. The Mission in Afghanistan was re-
opened.
During the year under review, important construction projects
progressed on schedule. The Ministry also purchased properties in
several places. As a result of these efforts, the Ministry will
save considerable expenditure on the rental of offices and
residences.
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|
1995
1.India's Neighbours |
Top |
Traditionally, ties between India and Nepal have been close.
Relations between the two countries continued to be on an even
keel.
The visits of the then Deputy Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal
(6 to 10 February 1995) and former Prime Minister Manmohan
Adhikari (10 to 14 April 1995) to India resulted in a better
understanding on matters of mutual concern and helped further
consolidate ties between the two countries. Efforts are being
made to take concrete steps to improve cooperation with the new
Government led by Prime Minister Deuba.
The visits of Minister of External Affairs to Nepal (26-29
January 1996) and Prime Minister Deuba to Delhi (12-18 February
1996) helped in further consolidation of India's traditionally
close ties with Nepal. These visits resulted in the signing of a
treaty on the development of Mahakali rivers which represents a
major breakthrough in the harnessing of river waters in the
region for mutual benefit. Apart from bringing the economies of
the two countries closer, the setting up of a new major project,
as provided for in the treaty, is bound to have a far-reaching
impact on, the quality of lives of the people of Nepal as well as
the adjoining regions in India.
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The on-going economic liberalisation in both the countries as
well as the stable foundations provided by the 1990-91 Treaties
of Trade & Transit, and further amendments thereof in 1993,
continued to have a positive impact on Indo-Nepal trade and
economic relations. As on 31 December 1995, out of a total of 247
joint ventures 95 are from India. India's exports to Nepal from
April to September 1995 amounted to Rs 270.63 crores against Rs
202 crores for the same period in 1994.' India's imports from
Nepal from April to September 1995 amounted to Rs 58.74 crores
against Rs 53.63 crores for the corresponding period in 1994.
As in earlier years, India continued to play an active role in
Nepal's developmental efforts. Work is proceeding apace on the
setting up of a Medical College and Institute at Dharan. Another
major project for the construction of 22 bridges on the East-West
Highway in western Nepal has been initiated. Additional
locomotives and coaches are being supplied to strengthen the
service on the Jayanagar-Janakpur railway sector. Work on surveys
for east-west electric railway, outer ring road at Janakpur,
broad-gauging of rail link between Raxaul and Sirsia as well as
other projects have been initiated.
Work on the identification of India-Nepal boundary gained further
momentum. In the 18th meeting of the Joint Technical Level India-
Nepal Boundary Committee held in Kathmandu, a time bound
programme for completion of the work was drawn up.
Relations with Bhutan, which have traditionally been close and
cordial, continued to be marked by deep mutual understanding.
Close cooperation in the economic field has been a significant
factor in reinforcing intimate bilateral links.
Periodic exchanges of views have fostered a traditionally
friendly relationship. Bhutanese Foreign Minister and Planning
Minister visited India during the year. From the Indian side,
Foreign Secretary and Cabinet Secretary visited Bhutan in October
and November 1995 respectively.
King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan paid an official visit to
India from 1 to 7 March. During the visit, which was aimed at
strengthening the close and cordial ties between the two
countries, the King held extensive discussions with Prime
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Minister, Minister of External Affairs and other Indian leaders
on expanding bilateral relations. Two agreements, both pertaining
to setting up of Projects in Bhutan, were signed during the
visit. One is on the Tala Hydroelectric Project (1020 MW), the
other is on setting up of the Dungsum Cement Plant, a dry process
plant (0.5 million tonnes per year) as a joint venture between
the Royal Government of Bhutan and an Indian company.
India continues to be closely associated with Bhutan's
developmental efforts. India's participation in projects in
Bhutan's on-going VII Five Year Plan (1992-97) was reviewed
during the Plan Talks between the two countries held in Delhi in
July 1995. Major projects such as hospitals, schools, roads and
bridges, transmission lines, rural electrification, survey
projects are underway. A significant development was the
conclusion of the agreement in September 1995 between the Kurichu
Project Authority and the National Hydroelectric Power
Corporation Ltd (NHPC) on the setting up of a 45 MW Kurichu
Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan; the implementation of the
Project is underway.
Relations with Bangladesh continue to be close and stable with
regular interaction between the two Governments. Prime Minister
Khaleda Zia attended the SAARC Summit in New Delhi in May 1995.
During bilateral meetings at that time, the Bangladesh Prime
Minister discussed with the Prime Minister the issues of sharing
of river waters, Chakma refugees, and trade and economic
cooperation. It was decided to resume dialogue between the
Foreign Secretaries on water sharing and other outstanding
issues. Thereafter, Foreign Secretary held discussions with
Bangladesh authorities in Dhaka in June 1995, during which it was
decided to reconvene the Joint Rivers Commission at Ministerial
level. India has put forward proposals for scheduling a meeting
of the Joint Rivers Commission as a measure of building
confidence and reopening dialogue on arrangements for sharing of
river waters.
The Bangladesh Government has continued its attempts at
internationalising the issue of river waters; the Prime Minister
of Bangladesh raised the issue at the United Nations General
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Assembly in October 1995. India believes this issue requires a
bilateral solution and remains committed to holding constructive
bilateral dialogue for arriving at a long-term, comprehensive
arrangement on water sharing with Bangladesh, taking into account
the requirements of both sides.
Both Governments continued efforts to facilitate the repatriation
of Chakma refugees from India to Bangladesh. The second meeting
of the Indo-Bangladesh Joint Working Group was held in Dhaka in
April 1995 to discuss, inter alia, security related issues,
cross-border movements, the repatriation of Chakma refugees, the
existing visa regime and the situation along the Indo-Bangladesh
border. Director General level talks between the Border Security
Force and the Bangladesh Rifles were held in New Delhi in June
1995 and in Dhaka in November 1995. Issues relating to the
demarcation of the land boundary were discussed in meetings
between the Survey authorities of the two countries in October
1995.
India's exports to Bangladesh are to the order of Rs 2001 crores
in 1994-95. A Rs 30 crore credit agreement and an agreement on
avoidance of double taxation are in force. India continues to
provide training facilities to Bangladesh personnel under the
Technical Assistance Programme financed by the Ministry of
External Affairs. During 1995, training was provided in the areas
of auditing, sericulture, insurance; human resource development,
etc.
India and Maldives share a close, cordial and friendly
relationship. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, gifted to the
Maldives by India, was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister of
India and President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of Maldives on 15 and 16
April 1995. India's close interaction with Maldives was continued
with the Maldivian President visiting Delhi for the SAARC Summit
on 2 and 3 May 1995.
The Minister of External Affairs visited Maldives in August 1995,
and co-chaired the 3rd Indo-Maldives Joint Commission. During
this meeting, the gamut of bilateral relations was reviewed and
areas for future cooperation were identified. India remains
committed to assisting Maldives in. the overall process
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of its development. Both sides agreed to take steps to develop
trade relations further and cooperate in the field of tourism. A,
tripartite agreement on providing Maldivians with specialised
tailor-made training courses for human resource development was
signed on 20 September 1995. The agreement is between the two
Governments and Educational Consultants India Ltd.
India's relations with Myanmar also showed improvement. The first
Indian Trade Fair was held in Yangon in March 1995. It was
inaugurated by Minister of State for Commerce Shri P Chidambaram
and was successful in creating art interest in both countries for
exploring trade and commerce. The Indo-Myanmar Border Trade
Agreement was operationalised during the visit of Myanmar
Minister of Commerce Tun Kyi to India in April 1995. The Myanmar
Minister for Heavy Industries Kyaw Than visited India from 16 to
21 October 1995.
In terms of the Memorandum of Understanding for increasing
civilian border contacts arrived at in January 1994, the 2nd
National Level Talks of Civilian Border Authorities were held in
New Delhi on 16 and 17 August 1995. The Myanmar delegation led by
the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs held discussions with the
Home Secretary on priority issues of national interest such as
control of arms smuggling, drugs smuggling and insurgency control
along the common Indo-Myanmar border. India has received
cooperation from the Myanmar authorities on controlling
insurgency.
India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding to restore
civil aviation links on 11 July 1995 under which Indian Airlines
and Myanmar Airways will ' resume direct commercial traffic to
each other's countries. '
The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for
1993 has been conferred upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition
of her "brave, non-violent and unyielding struggle 'Y
for freedom, democracy and human dignity.' The award was received
on her behalf by Daw Than E in a ceremony on 14 November 1995 in
New Delhi. Government of India welcomed the release of Aung San
Suu Kyi on 10 July 1995 from house arrest. It has voiced the hope
that this could open an era of peace, freedom and national
reconciliation.
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A close understanding and cordiality has been built up with the
new Government in Sri Lanka. Friendly ties between the two
countries were cemented through the visits of the Sri Lankan
President to India in March and May 1995.
The Government of India formally requested the Sri Lankan
Government for the extradition of the LTTE Chief V Prabhakaran
along with Pottu Amman and Akila in connection with the
assassination case of Shri Rajiv Gandhi. The request was
forwarded on 3 June 1995 and is under examination of the Sri
Lankan authorities.
India continues to favour a peaceful solution to the ethnic
crisis in Sri Lanka within a framework of sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, without outside interference
and through negotiations. Government of India has welcomed the
proposals for devolution of power announced by President
Kumaratunga in August 1995, and has stated that these devolution
proposals constitute a bold attempt to resolve the ethnic issue
and deserve the most serious consideration of all concerned.
Problems pertaining to fishermen from both countries straying to
each other's territorial waters and related issues continue to be
on the agenda for consultations between India and Sri Lanka. This
issue was discussed during the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister's
visit and again during the visit of the Sri Lankan President to
India. During the External Affairs Minister's meeting with
President Kumaratunga in March 1995, there was agreement on the
need for a mechanism which would enable both sides to consult
with each other and avoid incidents of violent actions. The
subject continues to be under discussion between India and Sri
Lanka..
Indo-Sri Lankan trade has grown to Rs 1252 crores during 1994-95.
The Sri Lankan Government has sought tariff concessions and
greater investment from India as part of efforts to reduce the
trade imbalance. A credit line of US $ 30 million has been
extended to Sri Lanka and an announcement granting reduction in
customs duties on 18 items of export interest to Sri Lanka was
made during the President's visit to India. The Indo-Sri Lanka
Joint Business Council which met
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in Madras in June 1995, was inaugurated by Minister of State for
Commerce Shri P Chidambaram. The JBC has examined possibilities
of attracting greater Indian investments into Sri Lanka as well
as expanding trade. India continues to extend technical training
and assistance to Sri Lanka under ITEC.
Pakistan's unabated promotion and support to terrorism directed
against India, its sustained efforts to internationalise the
Kashmir issue and its intransigence on the resumption of
bilateral dialogue with India, continued to prevent an
improvement in bilateral relations.
Pakistan's attempts in interfering in India's internal affairs
continued in 1995. Pakistan's sponsorship of trans-border
terrorism in India included political, diplomatic and material
assistance to terrorist groups in Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistani and
third country mercenaries continued to be inducted into the
Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir for carrying out terrorist and
subversive activities. Pakistan's involvement in trans-border
terrorism was highlighted by the Charar-e-Sharif incident (May
1995) in which Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and foreign
mercenaries were involved. A Pakistani mercenary was later
accorded a hero's welcome in Pakistan. The kidnapping of foreign
tourists in Jammu & Kashmir and the subsequent killing of the
Norwegian tourist highlighted the brutal methods being adopted by
terrorists operating in Jammu & Kashmir. The hitherto unknown Al-
Faran group responsible for the kidnapping is demanding the
release of imprisoned members of Harkat-ul-Ansar, a terrorist
organisation headquartered in Pakistan/Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Government has strongly urged Pakistan to give up its path of
promoting and supporting terrorism and conduct inter-state
relations as a responsible member of the international community.
Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao, in his address to the 11th
Non-Aligned Summit on 18 November 1995 (Cartagena, Colombia),
stated that the sufferings of the people of Jammu & Kashmir
originate from outside support for terrorism. Prime Minister said
that it was Government's determination to ensure that the lives
of innocent Indian citizens in Kashmir shall not be allowed to be
threatened by these activities.
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Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue
continued in 1995. After receiving setbacks in its attempts to
move resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir at the UNHRC and the UNGA in
1994, Pakistan did not make attempts to move resolutions on Jammu
& Kashmir in 1995. Pakistani leaders and representatives,
however, raised the issue directly and indirectly in various
international fora, including the Special Commemorative Meeting
of the UN General Assembly, 11th Non-Aligned Meeting and the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Pakistan's moves to internationalise the Kashmir issue were
resisted by the Government. It was reiterated from all relevant
international platforms that the State of Jammu & Kashmir is an
integral part of the Indian Union. The Prime Minister in his
address to the 11th Non-Aligned Summit (18 November 1995) said
that the State of Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India
and that Pakistan's illegal occupation of a part of this State
has to be vacated. Government also continued to apprise the
international community of the situation in Jammu & Kashmir in
its true perspective.
Pakistan's efforts to acquire weapons and sophisticated
technology, far in excess of its legitimate requirements, from
various sources continued. Government has informed the concerned
countries that supply of military hardware to Pakistan is not
conducive to peace and security in the region and is likely to
trigger an arms race in the sub-continent.
Consistent with its policy to resolve differences with Pakistan
through direct bilateral negotiations in accordance with the
Simla Agreement, Government throughout the year 1995, reiterated
its willingness to resume bilateral discussions with Pakistan
without any preconditions. Prime Minister during his discussions
with Pakistan President Farooq Leghari during latter's visit to
India for the SAARC Summit (2-4 May 1995) once again conveyed
India's willingness to resume direct bilateral dialogue with
Pakistan. Pakistan's response on the resumption of the bilateral
dialogue has been conditional and negative.
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The situation in Afghanistan continues to be unstable, with the
various factions still at loggerheads with each other, thus
denying the peaceful resolution of the conflict. The situation
has been further exacerbated by the interference of Pakistan
directly and more so through its creation, the Taliban. The peace
initiative launched by the United Nations under the Special Envoy
of the UN Secretary General Ambassador Mehni.oud Mestiri
suggesting transfer of power as an interim arrangement was not
found acceptable by all factions. As a result, prospects for a
peaceful political settlement in the near future still remain
uncertain.
India continued her traditional policy of friendship and
cooperation with Afghanistan. She has extended her support for
the UN process and called upon all the countries in the region to
use their influence to provide stability and conciliation in
Afghanistan.
India's cooperation with Afghanistan has consistently focussed on
areas which are of direct benefit to the Afghan people.
Unfortunately, in the unsettled conditions in Afghanistan,
cooperation programmes have been disrupted. Government has,
however, been able to resume some technical cooperation training
facilities, scholarships, medical facilities, etc) during 1995.
During the financial year of 1995-96 India has supplied tea,
medicines, cooking oil, milk and woollen garments worth about Rs
1.6 crore as bilateral humanitarian assistance.
India's Mission in Kabul, which was closed in January 1994, was
reopened on 3 May 1995. During the year under report, contacts
with the Afghan Government continued. Minister of Civil Aviation,
Abdul Rehman and Minister of Power & Irrigation Fariduddin Rafi,
Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Najibullah Lafrai visited
India.
India-China relations continued to improve, steadily and to
expand into new areas of cooperation. The Government continued to
work for the establishment of a long-term, stable and good
neighbourly relationship with China and create a favourable
climate in which the two countries can resolve outstanding
issues, including the boundary question.
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Political contact between India and China continued through high
level exchanges and consultations at other levels. Prime Minister
Shri Narasimha Rao met President Jiang Zemin in New York in
October 1995 during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the
United Nations. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the
National People's Congress of China Qiao Shi visited India in
November 1995. Other high level political exchanges included the
visits of the Chinese Labour, Education and Coal Ministers to
India and the visits of the Ministers of Home Affairs, Human
Resource Development, Environment and Forests, Personnel and
Textiles to China.
The situation along the India-China border remained peaceful. The
eighth meeting of the India-China Joint Working Group (JWG) was
held in New Delhi in August 1995. The JWG continued discussions
aimed at arriving at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable
solution to the boundary question and on the implementation of
the Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement. At this meeting, the
two sides agreed on the pulling back of four Indian and Chinese
posts, two on each side, in close proximity in the Sumdorong Chu
Valley. This decision has been implemented and is without
prejudice to the respective stands of India and China on the
alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the area. The
fourth meeting of the India-China Expert Group was held in
Beijing from 7 to 9 February 1996.
The two countries placed special emphasis on expanding the
economic and technological content of the relationship. The total
trade volume in 1994-95 was Rs 3167.73 crores, representing an
increase of 40.38% over the previous year. From April to
September 1995, the total volume of bilateral trade was Rs
1711.38 crores. A number of joint ventures between India and
China were set up in the two countries. The year also saw
continued efforts to expand cooperation to new areas based on the
logic of mutual benefit. Coal, textiles and environment are some
of the new areas in which the two countries have initiated
cooperation. Given the size and strength of the Indian and the
Chinese economies, the untapped potential for economic and
technological cooperation remains vast.
-10>
The Eighth Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
countries was held in New Delhi from 2 to 4 May 1995. The Summit
was preceded by the Fifteenth Session of the SAARC Council of
Ministers (New Delhi, 30 April-1 May 1995), Twentieth Session of
the Standing Committee (New Delhi, 27-29 April 1995) and
Fifteenth Session of the Programming Committee (New Delhi, 26
April 1995).
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia, the King of
Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Prime Minister of India Shri P V
Narasimha Rao, President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the
Prime Minister of Nepal Manmohan Adhikari, the President of
Pakistan Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari and the President of Sri Lanka
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga attended the Eighth SAARC
Summit. The Delhi Declaration of the Heads of State or Government
of SAARC countries was issued on 4 May 1995.
The main decisions taken by Heads of State or Governments in the
Summit were:
(i) Decision to celebrate the First Decade of SAARC both in the
individual Member States and collectively and to convene a
Commemorative Session of the Council of Ministers on the theme
"SAARC-Vision for the Second Decade".
(ii) Reaffirmation of commitment to the eradication of poverty in
South Asia, preferably by the year 2002 AD, through an Agenda of
Action; endorsement of the recommendations of the Finance &
Planning Ministers' Meeting held in Dhaka in July 1994 and
establishment of a three-tier mechanism to act as a forum for
exchange of information on poverty eradication programme in the
region. Declaration of 1995 as the "SAARC Year of Poverty
Eradication".
(iii) Early ratification of the Agreement on SAARC Preferential
Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) to facilitate its operationalisation
by the end of 1995 as mandated.
-11>
(iv) Reaffirmation of commitment to work towards the global
objective of "Shelter for All by the Year 2000".
(v) Noting of progress in the implementation of the Plan of
Action to mark 1991-2000 AD as the "SAARC Decade of the Girl
Child" and urging the Council of Ministers to conduct a mid-
decade review.
(vi) The SAARC Youth Charter was approved and the Member States
were urged to implement it.
(vii) All Member States were requested to initiate concrete
programmes to eradicate illiteracy in the region preferably by
the year 2000 AD. It was decided to observe 1996 as the "SAARC
Year of Literacy".
(viii) Emphasis on the importance of speedy implementation of the
measures and programmes suggested in the two environmental
studies (1) Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters and
Protection and Preservation of Environment, and (2) The Regional
Study on Greenhouse Effect and its Impact on the Region.
(ix) Member States were urged to expedite enabling legislation
for effective implementation of the SAARC Regional Convention on
Suppression of Terrorism and follow-up action on the SAARC
Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
(x) Endorsement of the establishment of a three-window South
Asian Development Fund (SADF) and mandate for finalisation of its
terms of reference, operational modalities and composition of the
Governing Board.
(xi) Reaffirmation of earlier decision to develop collective
positions in international fora, such as the Fourth World
Conference on Women in Beijing in September 1995. Mandate for
promoting institutional cooperation with other international and
regional organisations and authorisation to Secretary-General to
sign Memoranda of Understanding with UNDP, EU, UNDCP and ITU.
SAARC Council of Ministers requested to continue consultations
with EU-Troika as well as ASEAN.
-12>
(xii) Expression of satisfaction with the smooth implementation
of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme effective from March 1992; also
decided to include in the Scheme Ministers of Foreign/External
Affairs, Foreign Secretaries/Permanent Secretaries dealing with
Foreign Affairs, SAARC Secretary-General, Directors of SAARC
Secretariat, Presidents of the National Chambers of Commerce and
Industry; spouses and dependent children below 18 years of age
included in the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
All Member States have identified various activities/programmes
to be undertaken for Commemoration of SAARC Decade. India has
identified the following National and SAARC Programmes for the
occasion:-
(i) Issuance of Commemorative Postal Stamp, (ii) Special Radio/TV
Programmes, (iii) TV/Radio Quiz Competition, (v) Painting
Competition, (v) Essay Writing Competition, (vi) Tree Planting by
SAARC Foreign Ministers (vii) Special SAARC Stall at the World
Book Fair (New Delhi, 3-11 February, 1996), (viii) Special
Publication on SAARC, (ix) SAARC Trade Fair (New Delhi, 9-14
January 1996), and (x) SAARC Handicrafts Exhibition.
The Second Special Session of the Standing Committee was held in
New Delhi on 25 and 26 August 1995. It reviewed the functioning
of SAARC institutional mechanisms including the Secretariat and
made recommendations for improvement of their functioning.
The Sixteenth Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers was held
in New Delhi on 18 and 19 December 1995. It was preceded by the
Twenty-first Session of the Standing Committee at the Foreign
Secretaries level. The Ministerial Meeting commenced with a
Commemorative Session to mark the first decade of SAARC. This was
addressed by the Prime Minister of India who is Chairman of
SAARC. The meeting took stock of the achievements of SAARC so
far, reviewed the progress of activities of its various
mechanisms and took decisions on the future course of action. It
was agreed that Member States should strive for the realisation
of the South
-13>
Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) preferably by the year 2000 but
before 2005 AD and Committee for Economic Cooperation (CEC) was
directed to set up an Expert Group for making recommendations
towards this end.
A three-tier mechanism on poverty eradication was established by
the Summit. The first-tier consisting of the Group of Secretaries
in the Ministries/Departments concerned with Poverty Eradication
and Social Development and the second tier consisting of Finance
and Planning Secretaries met in New Delhi on 6 and 7 September
1995 and 8 September 1995 respectively. The third-tier consisting
of Finance and Planning Ministers of the SAARC countries met in
New Delhi on 3 and 4 January 1996. The leaders of delegations
from Member States resolved to carry forward the process of
poverty eradication by prioritising trade developmental efforts;
by undertaking special poverty eradication programmes after
taking all policy imperatives into account; improving
institutional, environmental and resource availability for the
attainment of the objectives relating to sustained growth in
income and employment generation; and developing strategies for
greater social mobilisation of community participation. They felt
that the theme for the SAARC Year 1997 should focus on greater
participation of target groups in the process of formulation and
implementation of poverty eradication programmes through social
mobilisation. They agreed to designate appropriate nodal agencies
for establishment of networking arrangements for sharing
information on poverty eradication. Member States would also
forward to the SAARC Secretariat annual reports highlighting the
progress made by them in the area of poverty eradication. They
called for closer interface between Government agencies and NGOs.
A meeting of the Experts on the Establishment of the South Asian
Development Fund (SADF) was held in SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu
on 26 and 27 September 1995. The Group of Experts finalised the
terms of reference, operational modalities and composition of the
Governing Board of SADF
The Inter-Governmental Group (IGG) on Trade Liberalisation in its
Sixth Meeting held in April 1995 successfully completed
negotiations for exchanging trade concessions. The Sixth
-14>
Meeting of the Committee on Economic Cooperation (CEC) was held
in New Delhi on 16 and 17 November 1995. The SAPTA Agreement
entered into force on 7 December 1995. All Member States have
nominated their representatives on the "Committee of
Participants' to review progress in the implementation of this
Agreement. They also decided that the 'Components' and
'Additional Measures' identified in Articles 4 and 6 respectively
of the SAPTA Agreement should be implemented. It further
recommended that, with the operationalisation of the SAPTA
Agreement, it was desirable to significantly enlarge inter-SAARC
Preferential trade under SAPTA and that the Inter-Governmental
Group (IGG) on Trade Liberalisation should be reconvened. Other
important matters discussed by the Sixth Meeting of CEC, inter
alia, included Meeting of the Commerce Ministers, promotion of
intraregional investment and establishment of joint ventures
catering to national, regional and international markets and
preparation of a tripartite study.
The first meeting of the SAARC Commerce Ministers was held in New
Delhi on 8 and 9 January 1996. A joint statement recommending
further measures for deepening trade and economic cooperation was
issued at the conclusion of the meeting. Highlights of the joint
statement were:
(i) Reiteration of commitment to the resolution of the SAPTA
process and to the realisation of South Asian Free Trade Area
(SAFTA) preferably by the year 2000 but not later than 2005;
(ii) Agreement that the second round of trade negotiations to be
conducted by the Inter-Governmental Group (IGG) in Sri Lanka in
March 1996 will consider removal of non-tariff and trade control
barriers and will negotiate for making tariff concessions wider,
deeper and more meaningful by expanding tariff lines as well as
by adopting sectoral and across-the-board approaches in addition
to the product-by-product approach. The second round should be
concluded no later than 31 July 1996. The First Meeting of the
Inter-Governmental Group (IGG) for carrying out Second Round of
Trade Negotiations took place in Colombo on 14 and 15 March 1996;
-15>
(iii) Businessmen should be issued multi-entry visas on
application and decisions on visa applications of businessmen
recommended by the apex trade bodies should be taken as
expeditiously as possible, preferably within seventy-two hours of
the application being received;
(iv) SAARC Arbitration Board for settlement of trade disputes
required to be set up;
(v) Customs and related procedures urgently needed to be
simplified, harmonised and streamlined. In order to facilitate
this, the Customs Administrations of the SAARC Countries should
meet every six months;
(vi) Exchange of business information for promotion of trade and
investments should be facilitated by developing networking among
national business information networks;
(vii) Member Governments would exchange voluntarily information
about their overseas bulk procurements on public account;
(viii) SAARC Trade Fair would be held regularly at various venues
in all SAARC countries; and
(ix) SAARC Commerce Ministers would henceforth meet on an annual
basis.
A "SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Women: Towards the Fourth World
Conference on Women in Beijing" was held in Dhaka on 29 and 30
July 1995. The Meeting adopted the "Dhaka Resolution on Women".
It was forwarded to the Conference Secretariat of the Fourth
World Conference on Women, New York for circulation as a
Conference Document.
Under the Integrated Programme of Action covering a number of
areas and activities, Technical Committees on Communication,
Agriculture, Environment, Prevention of Drug Trafficking and Drug
Abuse, Rural Development, Tourism and Transport, met daring the
year and submitted their Reports. Many Workshops/Seminars as
identified by the Technical Committees were also organised.
-16>
|
1995
South-East Asia and the Pacific |
Top |
As part of India's 'Look East' policy, efforts to strengthen he
already existing good relations between India and he countries of
Asia Pacific and South-East Asia continued during the year. Prime
Minister paid an official visit to Malaysia in August 1995.
Foreign Minister of Australia visited India during the year.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos from 16 to 21 January 1996. Air links
were established between India and Brunei Darussalam when Royal
Brunei Airlines started operations to Calcutta. An Air Services
Agreement was also signed by the respective Ministers of the two
countries. At the academic level, an India-Australia Seminar was
jointly organised by the Institute of Defence Studies and
Analyses (IDSA) of India and the Indian Ocean Centre for Peace
Studies of Australia at Perth. India-Malaysia Colloquium was
organised by IDSA in December 1995.
According to the latest statistics, countries in this region
figure prominently in terms of direct investment in India with
Thailand being placed third, Malaysia sixth and Singapore tenth.
Meetings of Joint Business Councils (JBCs) were held with several
countries including the first ever JBC with the Philippines.
Investment seminars were held in different countries to acquaint
the business community with the opportunity thrown open by
India's economic liberalisation programme.
-17>
The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in Bandar Seri Begawan,
Brunei Darussalam in July-August 1995 expressed satisfaction with
the continuing Sectoral Dialogue with India. It was decided at
the 5th ASEAN Summit held in Bangkok (14-15 December 1995) that
India would become a Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.
In keeping with a desire for expanding bilateral relations with
Brunei, the two countries agreed, in February 1995 during the
visit of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Brunei Darussalam Dato Lim Jock Seng, to establish a Joint
Committee to exchange views on bilateral, regional and
international issues of mutual concern. The committee at the
level of senior officials will meet periodically in each other's
capital.
Another landmark was achieved when on 4 November 1995 the
inaugural flight of Royal Brunei Airlines started operations
linking Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei and Calcutta.
On this occasion, Minister of Communications Dato Seri Laila Jasa
Awang Haji Zakaria visited India. In Calcutta, the Minister
called on the Chief Minister of West Bengal Shri Jyoti Basu. He
also visited Delhi during which an Air Services Agreement between
the two countries was signed on 6 November.
Both India and Philippines have expressed their determination to
take concrete steps for economic cooperation. The senior-most
official in the Trade Ministry, Under Secretary for Trade Cesar B
Bautista visited India with the delegation of businessmen in
April 1995. The response from Indian side was very encouraging.
The first meeting of the India-Philippine Joint Business Council
was held on 3 and 4, October in Manila. The JBC identified
certain fields for cooperation between the two countries such as
processed foods, textiles and textile machinery and components,
sugar, drugs and pharmaceuticals, tourism, acquaculture, auto
parts, power generation, etc. It was also decided to set up sub-
committees on specific sectors of business and products. The JBC
concluded with a resolve to increase, within three years, trade
between the two countries from Rs 490 crores to Rs 1750 crores.
Senator Leticia Shahani, President, Pro-tempore of the
Philippines Senate visited India in January 1996.
-18>
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhanced cooperation in
the field of renewable energy between India and the Philippines
was signed on 26 February by the Ambassador and the Philippines
Energy Secretary (Minister). The MoU envisages cooperation
between the two countries through exchange of technical
expertise, joint research, information networking in non-
conventional energy technologies, etc.
During the year, various visits at different levels reinforced
the close bilateral relations between India and Singapore. A
delegation led by Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited
Singapore (21-23 September) in connection with the meeting of
Indo-ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue and to participate in the World
Economic Forum. During the visit , the Finance Minister called on
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and
Finance Minister Richard Hu
Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri H D Deve Gowda paid a four-day
(23-26 July ) visit to Singapore. Besides meeting his host,
Minister for Trade and Industry Yew Chewo Tong, the Chief
Minister had a meeting with Foreign Minister Professor S
Jayakumar, and also called on Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 24
July. Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav,
accompanied by a large business delegation, also paid a three day
(26-28 July) visit to Singapore to attract investments in Bihar.
As a follow up of the science and technology Memorandum of
Understanding signed in January 1995, a 25-member delegation of
scientists led by the Director General, Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr R A Mashelkar, visited Singapore
from 13 to 15 September to coincide with an international
exhibition called Technology Showcase'95 in Singapore. On this
occasion, a special seminar on technological opportunities in
India was also organised.
Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew visited India from 3 to
5 January 1996 at the invitation of Prime Minister. Senior
Minister Lee is acknowledged to be the architect of the economic
success of Singapore and is regarded as a Senior Asian statesman.
During the visit, he called on the Prime Minister and held
extensive discussions on political and economic developments
-19>
in the region and elsewhere. Apart from this, Senior Minister had
meetings with Ministers of External Affairs and Finance and
Minister of State for Commerce among others. In two addresses,
one at India International Centre and the other to the captains
of Indian industry, Senior Minister Lee spoke about Singapore's
experience of economic development and his views on India's
economic reform programme.
India and Singapore held a week long (3 to 13 March) Anti
Submarine Warfare Exercise off Visakhapatnam. The Chief of Naval
Staff of Singapore, Kwek Siew Jin, participated in the
Valedictory of the exercises.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Singapore Kishore Mahbubani, visited India on 5 February for
Foreign Office Consultations. The two countries had concluded a
MoU for regular Foreign Office Consultations during the visit of
Prime Minister to Singapore in September 1994. During the visit,
the Permanent Secretary had extensive talks with senior officials
in Ministry of External Affairs and paid courtesy calls on
Minister of External Affairs and Minister of State for External
Affairs Shri R L Bhatia.
Minister of State for Defence Shri M Mallikarjun represented
India in the Asian Aerospace '96 which was inaugurated on 6
February. During the visit, the Minister of State called on
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Singapore Dr
Tony Tan.
India's bilateral trade with Singapore continued its upswing with
overall value reaching Rs 5599.42 crores during the year 1994-95
as against Rs 4781.99 crores in 1993-64. Investment proposals
from Singapore worth Rs 253 crores were approved till the end of
August 1995 making it the tenth largest investor.
With Thailand, the upswing in India's bilateral relations was
maintained through bilateral visits which included those of the
Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Shri Gulam Nabi Azad and
the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Km Mayawati who visited
in October 1995. The Minister and the Chief Minister of Uttar
Pradesh together with the Education
-20>
Minister of Thailand ceremonially planted a sapling of the Bodhi
tree from Bodhgaya at the Buddhamandal on 7 October.
Following Prime Minister's discussions with the King of Thailand
during the former's visit to Thailand in 1993, it was decided to
hold a Festival of India as part of the celebrations marking the
50th Anniversary of the King's accession to the throne. It was
inaugurated on 13 December 1995 in Bangkok by Princess
Mahachakri. From India's side, the then Minister for Human
Resource Development Shri Madhavrao Scindia attended.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee, accompanied
by Secretary (East), visited Bangkok, Thailand from 16 to 18
January 1996. The Minister co-chaired the India-Thailand Joint
Commission meeting along with his Thai counterpart Kasem S
Kasemsri. He also had detailed interactions with the Thai
leadership including Prime Minister Banharn Silpaarcha, Deputy
Prime Minister & Defence Minister Chavalit Yongehaiyudh as well
as the Thai Transport & Communications Minister. He also called
on Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral V S Shekhawat, paid a transit visit
to Bangkok on 23 March. Despite the fact that it was a transit
halt, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral
Prachet Siridej hosted a dinner for CNS and his delegation.
India's bilateral trade with Thailand continued to expand with
overall value reaching Rs 1808.67 crores during the year 1994-95
as against Rs 1297.56 crores in 1993-94. Investment proposals
from Thailand worth Rs 698 crores were approved till the end of
August 1995 making it the third largest investor.
Indonesia celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its independence on
17 August 1995. On this occasion, the Indonesian Government
decided to confer the highest honour "Bintang Republik Indonesia
Adipurna" on late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and "Bintang Jasa
Utama" on the former Chief Minister of Orissa Shri Biju Patnaik,
former Representative of India to Indonesia Shri Mohamad Yunus,
and former Consul General
-21>
of India to Indonesia Shri P R S Mani. Prof Rasheedudin Khan also
participated in the seminar on "Islam and the Global Community"
held at Jakarta on 15 and 16 November 1995.
India continued to enjoy close and friendly relations with
Indonesia during the year. The Minister of External Affairs
visited Indonesia in April 1995 to attend Non-Aligned Move ment
(NAM) Ministerial Meeting. The Prime Minister had a meeting with
President Soeharto during the NAM Summit in Cartagena in Colombia
on 17 October 1995. India's trade with Indonesia has been
steadily increasing. The volume of trade in 1994-95 at Rs 1856.56
crores far exceeded the previous year's figure of Rs 1112.17
crores.
|
India's bilateral relations with Malaysia continued to be
cordial. The high point was the visit of Prime Minister Shri
Narasimha Rao to Malaysia in August 1995. A 24-member business
delegation was in Kuala Lumpur to coincide with Prime Minister's
visit. The Prime Minister had candid and useful exchange of views
with the Malaysian leadership including King Tuanku Ja'afar,
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister and
Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Senior Economic Adviser Tun
Daim Zainuddin. Prime Minister also addressed the Institute of
Diplomacy and Foreign Relations on "Post cold war scene-a
blueprint for the future". Five Agreements/Memoranda of
Understanding were signed in the presence of the two Prime
Ministers on Bilateral Investment Protection, Cooperation in the
Highway Sector, Doordarshan and Binariang on satellite
communication, Antrix and Maxstar on Malaysia's Space Programme
and Confederation of Indian Industry and Malaysian Industrial
Development Authority (MIDA) on industrial cooperation and
investment. A number of corporate agreements were also signed
during the course of the visit.
India's bilateral trade with Malaysia continued its upswing with
overall value reaching Rs 2677.91 crores during the year 1994-95
as against Rs 1711.20 crores in 1993-94. Investment proposals
from Malaysia worth Rs 353 crores were approved till the end of
August 1995 making it the sixth largest investor.
-22>
Commerce Secretary visited Malaysia during the month. Apart from
meeting Malaysia's business community, he delivered the keynote
address in a seminar jointly organised by FICCI and its Malaysian
counterpart.
India continued to enjoy very friendly, cordial and close
relations with the three Indo-Chinese countries, namely, Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos during the year under report.
During the year, Vietnam was admitted to ASEAN as its 7th member
at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in July 1995 in Brunei.
Pursuant to Prime Minister's visit to Vietnam in September 1994,
a Joint Working Group was set up with Vietnam under the aegis of
the India-Vietnam Joint Commission to meet frequently to discuss
and enhance bilateral cooperation. In 1993-94, imports from
Vietnam were Rs 137.49 crores and exports Rs 87.87 crores. In
1994-95, imports were Rs 138.79 crores and exports to Vietnam
were Rs 183.46 crores. Main imports are rice, cashew nuts, wood
and wood products and major exports to Vietnam are drugs and
pharmaceuticals, rubber products, machinery, iron and steel bars,
electronic goods, etc. A Memorandum of Understanding in the field
of Mining was signed between India and Vietnam on 18 April 1995.
In August 1995, India set up a multi-purpose industrial training
centre in Hanoi at a cost of Rs 1.5 crores.
The second meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Working Group was
held at Hanoi on 18 and 19 December 1995. The Indian delegation
was led by Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
It was agreed to identify concrete measures to promote trade,
investment, banking and commercial relations between the two
countries. In this connection, it was agreed that a new trade
Protocol would be signed at an early date. The 7th India-Vietnam
Joint Commission was held in New Delhi on 23 and 24 February
1996.
Regarding Laos, India donated an amount of Rs 0.105 crores for
flood relief in September- 1995. Two high-level delegations from
Laos visited India in November 199.5, one was Lao Agriculture
Minister Sisavath Keobounphonh who visited India
-23>
from 8 to 17 November. The Minister called on his Indian
counterpart Shri Balram Jakhar, and also the Minister of Rural
Employment and Rural Areas Dr Jagannath Mishra. The Minister and
his delegation also visited Indian Agricultural Research
Institute, Pusa, New Delhi; the Agricultural Equipment
Productions Factory, Forest Research Institute and Indian Council
of Forestry Research and Education at Dehradun; Horticulture and
Agricultural projects and Kirloskar Pumps at Bangalore; and
sugarcane, coffee plantation, rice farms, etc at Coimbatore.
The other visit from Laos was a Defence delegation headed by Head
of Technical Battalion of Fighter Planes Khathongsa Sengkhasmyong
(16-23 November). The delegation visited defence facilities at
Vizag, Koraput, Pune, Nasik, Bharat Electronics Limited,
Ghaziabad and Defence pavilion at India International Trade Fair,
New Delhi and held fruitful discussions with officials in the
Ministry of Defence in Delhi.
There is no significant trade with Laos. India's imports in 1994-
95 were only Rs 1.86 crores and exports Rs 0.39 crores.
India continued to enjoy friendly and cordial relations with
Cambodia. India donated 2,000 tons of rice at a cost of US
$4,80,000 as food aid. Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Transport and Works Ing Keith visited India in March
1995 to attend an international conference. During his visit, he
called on India's Ministers of Power, External Affairs, Railways,
and Minister of State for Surface Transport. The First Prime
Minister of Cambodia, Prince Norodom Ranariddh paid an official
visit to India from 29 to 31 January 1996. During his visit, he
addressed a CII gathering iq Calcutta and also visited Bodh Gaya.
In New Delhi, he had meetings with the President, the Prime
Minister as well as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Prime
Minister hosted a dinner for the visiting dignitary. A Cultural
Agreement was signed during this visit.
Bilateral trade with Cambodia is very low. In 1994-95, imports
were Rs 4.81 crores and exports Rs 2.28 crores only.
-24>
Minister of External Affairs paid an official visit to Cambodia
and Laos from 18 to 21 January 1996. The Foreign Ministers of
both these countries had visited India in 1994, and the visit of
Minister of External Affairs further strengthened the existing
friendly and close relations with these countries. With Cambodia,
a Memorandum of Understanding for Economic and Technical
Cooperation was signed during the visit, and with Laos, a
Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) was signed. Minister of
External Affairs announced that 1000 Metric Tonnes of rice would
be given to Laos as humanitarian assistance. The Minister also
planted a sapling of the, Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya at the That
Luang Temple in Vientiane.
Relations between India and Australia continued to expand and
grow. Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs Kim
Jones was in India on 24 January 1995 to exchange views with
Ministry of External Affairs on Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
negotiations. Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans visited
New Delhi on 19 and 20 May 1995 to seek India's participation in
International Forum on Indian Ocean Rim in Perth from 11 to 13
June 1995. He called on the President, the Vice President and the
Prime Minister. Minister of State for External Affairs Shri
Salman Khurshid visited Australia from 18 to 22 June 1995 to
inaugurate Australia-India Business Forum in Melbourne and
Sydney. He held detailed discussions with Foreign Minister Gareth
Evans and Minister for Overseas Trade Bob McMullan. Special Envoy
of the Prime Minister for the Commonwealth of Australia Stephen
Loosley visited India from 25 to 27 September 1995 to discuss
Australia's candidature for the UN Security Council. India-
Australia Senior Officials' Talks and Disarmament Talks at
Secretary level were held in New Delhi on 2 and 3 November 1995.
Secretary (East) led the Indian side while the Australian side
was led by Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade of Australia Geoff Forrester. Indepth
discussions were held on important international and bilateral
issues and disarmament issues. As part of the on-going exchanges
between the defence establishments, Commander, Joint Forces
Australia and Past Commander, United Nations Transitional
Authority-Cambodia (UNTAC) John Sanderson visited India from 3 to
6 April 1995.
-25>
India-Australia Council was formally inaugurated by the Minister
of External Affairs at New Delhi on 12 December 1995.
Deputy Premier of Western Australia Hendy Cowan visited India in
January 1996 and opened Trade Office of Western Australia in
Bombay. India-Australia Joint Business Council was held in Sydney
in February 1996. During the meeting, interest was shown on both
sides in forging joint ventures particularly in food processing,
mining, education, power, automotive components, construction and
telecommunications.
On the economic front, the two-way trade between India and
Australia is growing both ways. Bilateral trade increased to Rs
4383.43 crores in 1994-95 as against Rs 3185.84 crores in 1993-
94, registering an increase of about 30 per cent from the
previous year.
A delegation led by Minister for Resources, Government of
Australia David Bedall visited India from 19 to 29 May 1995 to
encourage trade and investment between India and Australia in the
coal and power sectors. Minister of State for Steel Shri Santosh
Mohan Dev visited Australia in July 1995 at the invitation of
David Bedall and held discussions on the possibility of
cooperation in steel, coal, power and mining sectors.
India-New Zealand relations continued to be friendly and cordial.
Over the last year, bilateral trade between India and New Zealand
has been moving at a satisfactory pace.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited New
Zealand from 7 to 13 November 1995 to attend-the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Auckland. The visit was
also utilised for bilateral discussions with New Zealand's Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don McKinnon.
India-New Zealand Joint Business Council and Joint Trade
Committee Meetings were held in Auckland from 12 and 13 February
1996. Specific issues relating to market access to each other's
country were discussed. Associate Minister of
-26>
Education Dr Roges McClay, visited India from 10 to 18 March
1996.
The Government of India has been closely following the
developments in Fiji and is watching with keen interest the
process of constitutional reforms. The Government of India has
consistently taken the stand that the 1990 racially biased
Constitution should be reviewed to arrive at a constitutional
arrangement that is democratic, just, non-discriminatory and
acceptable to all the communities living in Fiji.
India established diplomatic relations with Palau in April 1995.
Ambassador of India to Philippines has been concurrently
accredited to Palau. India has also decided to open a Resident
Mission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Shri V S Verma has
been appointed India's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.
Efforts were made to strengthen and maintain India's cordial
relations with other Pacific Island countries during the year.
-27>
|
1995
3. East Asia |
Top |
India's relations with countries of East Asia region continued
to expand during the year. Exchange of Ministerial level visits
contributed to the continuation of dialogue at the political
level. Official level exchanges were maintained. Growth of trade
and increase in number of collaborations and joint ventures gave
content to the economic relationship.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited Japan
from 6 to 10 September 1995. He met Japanese Prime Minister,
Foreign Minister and Minister for International Trade and
Industry. He also paid a call on the Emperor of Japan. During the
visit, it was agreed that there should be regular exchange of
high level visits. The two sides agreed to discuss policy towards
Asia as part of their regular foreign office dialogue. The
Minister's visit was followed by India-Japan Foreign Secretary
level talks in New Delhi on 30 and 31 October 1995. Japan's
Foreign Minister was scheduled to visit India for talks in
January 1996; however, the visit was postponed because of the
sudden resignation of the Foreign Minister on 5 January 1996.
The Vice President of India visited Japan from 3 to 10 December
1995 to attend an International Conference on "The Future of
Hope" organised by Elie Wiesel Foundation. During his stay in
Tokyo, the Vice President also paid a call on the Emperor of
Japan.
-28>
Japan continued to be India's largest bilateral donor of
development assistance and one of the largest investors. In 1995-
96, Japan's commitment was Rs 4895 crores (Yen 131.4 billion).
The Japanese Minister for International Trade and Industry R
Hashimoto visited India in January 1995. The annual India-Japan
Trade Talks were held in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 1995. The
second policy dialogue at the Secretary/Vice Minister level
between India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Japanese
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) took place in
New Delhi on 25 November 1995.
Exchanges of economic and commercial delegations at the non-
official level continued. Notable among the Japanese delegations
to India were: a 40-member delegation from Japan's Apex Economic
Organisation Federation (Keidanren) consisting of top
industrialists that visited India in February 1995; a 45-member
MITI Study Group in November 1995; and a 35-member Small and
Medium Enterprises delegation led by a former MITI Vice-Minister
also in November 1995. The India-Japan Study Committee (IJSC) met
in Tokyo in April 1995 and in New Delhi in October 1995.
India's two-way trade with Japan in 1994 was Rs 16450 crores.
Exports to Japan were Rs 9275 crores and imports from Japan were
Rs 7175 crores. Foreign investment approvals from 1991 to 31
October 1995 amounted to Rs 1507 crores.
The 9th meeting of the India-Japan Mixed Cultural Commission met
in Delhi on 12 January 1996, after a gap of 4 years. It reviewed
progress on cultural cooperatiop and decided on promoting further
cultural cooperation between the two countries.
India's relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) continued to
be friendly and cordial. President of the Republic of Korea made
a state visit to India from 24 to 27 February 1996. His entourage
comprised Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Trade and
Industry and a large number of senior officials and 38 top
businessmen. The President had meetings with President, Vice
President, Prime Minister and Minister of
-29>
|
External Affairs. The ROK President and the Indian Prime Minister
led the two sides' delegations, for the important official talks.
The ROK President also addressed a joint meeting of top Indian
ana Korean businessmen, organised by FICCI/ASSOCHAM/CII. Three
significant documents were signed at the time of the visit: An
Agreement setting up a Joint Commission at Foreign Ministers
level; a Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement and A Cultural
Exchange Programme for 1996-1998. Notes were also exchanged for
eventual establishment of a South Korean Consulate General in
Bombay and a possible reciprocal facility for India. Ministerial
level visits to ROK during the year included those of Minister of
State for Textiles Shri Kamal Nath (28 September-2 October 1995),
Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad (4-6
October 1995), Minister of Power Shri N K P Salve (14-16 October
1995) and Minister of State for Commerce Shri P Chidambaram to
co-chair the Joint Trade Committee meeting (9-11 November 1995).
An Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the
Rajya Sabha Smt Najma Heptullah visited ROK from 10 to 12
September 1995. The delegation had meetings with the Deputy
Speaker of National Assembly, members of the Korea-India Society
and other prominent public figures.
As per latest figures available, India's exports to ROK in 1994
were Rs 2048 crores and India's imports from ROK were Rs 4060
crores. The India-ROK Joint Trade Committee. has set a target of
reaching Rs 17500 crores (US $ 5 billion) bilateral trade and Rs
7000 crores (US $ 2 billion) for ROK investment in India by 2000
AD. ROK's direct investment in India from 1991 to 30 September
1995 was Rs 331.51 crores, Investment from ROK has been mainly in
the fields of nylon yarn, tyres, automobiles, television tubes,
electronics, garments, stone cutting and glass.
Exchanges of students, scholars and cultural delegations between
India and ROK have been taking place under the Cultural Exchange
Programme. Notable among the Indian cultural delegations to ROK
was a 13-member folk performance troupe from Himachal Pradesh
that visited ROK from 16 to 26 September 1995. The troupe was
sponsored by the ICCR
-30>
and hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Kwangju Biennale
Organising Committee.
The, friendly ties that have traditionally existed between India
and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were
maintained during the year. Bilateral Foreign Office
Consultations at Secretary-level were held in New Delhi on 27
September 1995.
The then Governor of Sikkim Shri P Shiv Shankar, visited DPRK in
his capacity as Chairman of India-DPRK Friendship Association in
August 1995 on a goodwill mission.
India and DPRK continued to cooperate in the economic, commercial
and technical fields. As per latest figures available, India's
exports to DPRK during 1994-95 amounted to Rs 158.30 crores,
while India's imports from DPRK amounted to Rs 168.32 crores.
India sent blankets by way of relief assistance to DPRK in the
wake of the worst ever floods that hit DPRK in 1995.
Exchange between the two countries under the Cultural Exchange
Programme continued during the year. A major event was the visit
of a 16-member Indian dance troupe of the Natya Ballet Centre,
sponsored by the ICCR, to Pyongyang to participate in the April
Spring Friendship Art Festival.
India and Mongolia share a tradition of warm and friendly
relations which was reinforced during the year. The two countries
commemorated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations in December 1995. The Treaty of Friendly
Relations and Cooperation, signed during the visit of President P
Ochirbat to India in 1994, was ratified.
Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Shivraj Patil visited Mongolia from 14
to 18 July 1995. During the visit, a protocol on cooperation
between the two Parliaments was signed. President of ICCR Shri
Vasant Sathe visited Mongolia from 20 to 22 June 1995. Mongolia's
Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation G Surenjargal
visited India from 24 to 26 September 1995. During his visit, a
work plan for 1996 and 1997 for cooperation in the field of
agriculture was signed.
-31>
Steps were taken to enhance trade and economic links between
India and Mongolia, which have been limited by distance. A
delegation from India-Mongolia Chambers of Commerce visited
Mongolia in June 1995.
Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia N Bagabandi, led a
Parliamentary delegation to India from 9 to 14 January 1996.
-32>
|
1995
Central Asia |
Top |
The year under review witnessed considerable activisation of
India's relations with Turkey and Central Asian countries both in
terms of exchanges of delegations as well as in the development
of institutional linkages.
The President of Tajikistan, Rakhmonov visited India from 11 to
16 December 1995. During the visit, he had discussions with
President, Vice President, Prime Minister and other leaders on
matters of common concern. The Prime Minister of India and the
President of TaJikistan signed a declaration on further
development of bilateral relations. Agreements were signed on
setting up of the Indo-Tajik Joint Commission, cooperation in
environment, health, telecom, science & technology, and on
bilateral investment protection. During discussions, the
commonality of approach to regional issues was stressed; in the
joint declaration, the Tajik leader supported India's bilateral
approach to disputes between countries and her case for permanent
membership of the Security Council.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan
Boris O Shikhmuradov visited New Delhi from 18 to 21 April 1995
at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs. During his
stay, apart from bilateral meetings with Indian leaders, he also
signed, along with the Foreign Minister of Iran, a trilateral
Memorandum of Understanding on trade
-33>
and transit to facilitate the use of Iranian and Turkmen
territory for trade with other Central Asian countries.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and Kazakh Co-
Chairman of the Indo-Kazakh Joint Commission V L Mette led a
high-powered delegation, accompanied by prominent Kazakh
businessmen, for the second session of the Indo-Kazakh Joint
Commission. As a result of this meeting, several important
initiatives in areas like hydro-carbons, mining, etc were taken.
A second credit agreement to extend an additional credit of US $
10 million was also signed during the 'visit of the Kazakh
dignitary.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrghyz Republic T Chinetov
visited India at the invitation of Secretary (East) in the
Ministry of External Affairs. During his stay, foreign office
level consultations took place with his Indian counterpart; he
also called on other high officials in the Government.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid
visited Tashkent in response to an invitation from the Government
of Uzbekistan for a conference of Foreign Ministers on security
and cooperation in Central Asia on 15 and 16 September 1995. The
conference adopted a declaration on Central Asian security and
cooperation. During his stay, Minister of State for External
Affairs also called on President of Uzbekistan I A Karimov and
met other officials and participating Ministers.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited
Uzbekistan from 19 to 21 March 1996 at the invitation of the
leadership of the country. This visit is part of regular
consultations between the leaderships of the two countries on
matters of mutual interest. The third session of the Joint
Commission was also held during the visit. During his stay in
Uzbekistan, Minister of External Affairs called on the President
of Uzbekistan; he also handed over a message from Prime Minister.
The two sides discussed bilateral and regional issues and spoke
in support of promoting peace in the region, based on preserving
the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries, and
without any outside interference in the internal affairs of
countries in the region. Bilateral relations
-34>
are progressing satisfactorily and regular consultations at
different levels are to continue. As Co-Chairman of the Indo-
Uzbek Joint Commission, Shri Mukherjee led the Indian delegations
at the third session of the Joint Commission; alongwith the Uzbek
Co-Chairman, U T Sultanov Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, a review
of the state of Indo-Uzbek economic cooperation as well as
cooperation in the field of science and technology was
undertaken. Minister of External Affairs also had an exchange of
views on the region and on other international issues with the
Minister for, Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. A prominent street
in Tashkent has been named after Mahatma Gandhi and Shri
Mukherjee attended the naming ceremony.
Prime Minister visited Turkmenistan from 19 to 21 September 1995
to return the visit of President Niyazov in April 1992. The Prime
Minister had useful talks with the Turkmen leader on the
situation in the region and beyond as well as bilateral
relations. He addressed the Turkmen Parliament and was conferred
honorary membership of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.
The joint communique issued at the end of the visit supports the
Simla Agreement and condemns terrorism and hostile propaganda.
President Niyazov also supported India's case for a permanent
membership of the UN Security Council. The Turkmen leader spoke
of his country's commitment to secularism and welcomed India's
positive assessment of Turkmen proposal for the status of
positive neutrality for Turkmenistan. The agreements/protocols
signed during the visit included those on foreign office
consultations, on extension of CEP for 1995-96, on setting up of
the Indo-Turkmen Joint Commission (Minister of State for External
Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid is Indian Co-Chairman), on extension
of second credit line of US $ 10 million and bilateral investment
protection.
Prime Minister visited the Kyrghyz Republic from 21 to 23
September 1995. During the visit agreements on cooperation in
tourism and in science & technology as well as protocol for
extension of CEP upto 1996 were signed. Prime Minister had
separate meetings with President Akaev and Prime Minister
Jumagulov. Prime Minister addressed Kyrghyz Parliament-
-35>
arians. A road in Bishkek was named after Mahatma Gandhi.
President Akaev agreed that Jammu & Kashmir was a bilateral issue
and supported India's case for permanent membership of UN
Security Council.
-36>
|
1995
The Gulf, West Asia & North Africa |
Top |
The Gulf area accounts for about 15% of India's foreign trade,
meets nearly two-thirds of the country's oil imports and is the
home for more than two million Nonresident Indians (NRIs), whose
remittances play a significant role in the country's balance of
payments position. For the Gulf region, India is a source of
skilled and disciplined manpower, a market for its products, a
place for educational and medical services and an option for
science and technology and training establishments. The mutuality
of interest continues to ensure close and cordial relations
between India and the countries in the Gulf area. India's policy
towards the Gulf rests on a desire for peace, stability and
security in the region and for safeguarding independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries in the
area. Gulf countries have conveyed an understanding and
appreciation of India's principled position on various regional
issues. Geographical proximity and economic complementarity have
thrown open fresh opportunities for greater interaction between
India and the Gulf countries in the wake of continued
liberalisation of India's economy. There have been substantial
commitments of investment, by way of joint ventures in sectors
such as oil refining and downstream units.
-37>
In the recent times, India's bilateral relations with all the
Gulf countries have been marked by growing mutually beneficial
cooperation and cordiality. The year 1995-96 saw further
development in this direction.
In the wake of launching of economic reforms programme in India,
Bahrain has shown renewed interest in strengthening bilateral
economic and commercial ties with India. Bahrain's emergence as a
major off-shore financial centre represents significant
opportunities for channelising investment funds from the Gulf
into India. With this objective in view an Indo-Bahraini joint
venture merchant bank, Trans Arab Investment Bank (TAIB) Capital
Corporation Limited was set up in November. in Bangalore.
Governor of Bahrain Monetary Agency Abdullah Said visited India
from 14 to 20 November to participate in the inaugural ceremony
of the joint venture bank. Said called on Finance Minister Dr
Manmohan Singh and met Governor of Reserve Bank of India Shri C
Rangarajan. The newly established Bahrain Promotions and
Marketing Board also decided to establish an office in India, to
promote bilateral trade and investment. To take advantage of
Bahrain's liberal economic policies, a number of Indian companies
have established their presence in Bahrain particularly in the
financial, metallurgical and hydrocarbon sectors. Bahrain's
Development and Industry Minister Yousuf Al Shirawi visited India
from 18 to 21 May at the invitation of Minister of Tourism and
Civil Aviation Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad. During Shirawi's visit, an
agreement was signed to increase the air passenger capacity
between India and Bahrain from 8000 to 9000 per week.
The Minister of Commerce of Bahrain, Ali Salel Al Saleh,
accompanied by a senior level official and business delegation,
visited India in December at the invitation of the Minister of
State for Commerce Shri P Chidambaram. During his visit the
Bahraini Minister of Commerce called on the President, the
Minister of External Affairs and held discussions with the
Minister of State for Commerce with a view to enhancing bilateral
trade and investment.
Relations with Kuwait which were in an upswing were further
strengthened during the year with four bilateral agreements,
namely, a protocol on Scientific and Technical
-38>
Cooperation between CSIR and Kuwait Institute for Scientific
Research (June), a Memorandum of Understanding on Civil aviation
between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Kuwaiti Ministry
of Transport (July), a Memorandum of Understanding between Indian
Oil Corporation (IOC) and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for
setting up of an oil refinery in Orissa (September) and a
protocol on cooperation between Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (October). The Memorandum of Understanding on civil
aviation created additional seating capacity in the busy India-
Kuwait sector.
There were also exchanges of visits. From the Kuwaiti side, a
delegation from the Parliamentary Friendship Association of the
Kuwait National Assembly, Sheikh Salem Al Sabah of the Kuwait
National Committee for POW and Missing in Action (September) and
a delegation from the Ministry of Transport and Communication
(July) visited India. From the Indian side, the visits included
those of a 9-member Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker, Lok
Sabha Shri Shivraj Patil (November), Minister of State for
Petroleum & Natural Gas Captain Satish Sharma (September) and a
delegation from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &
Industry (October) and Spices Board (November). In the area of
defence, two naval ships visited Kuwait (November).
The Special Kuwait Cell had forwarded approximately 1,46,000
Indian claims by 1 January 1995, the final date stipulated by the
United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) for receipt of
claims in individual categories (A,B,C &D). Claims received after
1 January 1995 were forwarded to the UNCC as late claims which
may be accepted or rejected by the UNCC at their discretion.
Approximately 60,500 Indian claims in category A & B have so far
been approved by the UNCC for payment. However, the UNCC has
released US $ 642,500 for 167 'B' claims (for serious injury or
death) only. This is currently under disbursement to successful
claimants. The decision to adopt a staggered mode of payment, the
non-receipt of payments for the rest of the approved claims, are
attributed to the lack of funds in the Compensation Fund
established for the purpose.
-39>
With Iraq, India's endeavour to strengthen the relations within
the ambit of the UN sanctions continued and involved a few
significant developments. Iraqi Minister of Transport and
Communications Murtadha Ahmed Murtadha visited India in July as
Special Envoy o f President Saddam Hussein and delivered messages
from the Iraqi President to President and Prime Minister. He met
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and in his
capacity as Minister, he held talks with the then Minister of
Railways Shri Jaffer Sharief, Minister of Communications Shri
Sukh Ram and Minister of Surface Transport Shri Jagdish Tytler on
bilateral relations. From the Indian side, a railway delegation
led by Chairman, Railway Board and an experts' team from Oil &
Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) visited Iraq. There were also
visits by a number of Indian journalists to Iraq. As humanitarian
relief, India shipped medicines and tea to Iraq. India also
offered scholarships to Iraqi students for study and training in
Indian institutions. India also participated in the Babylon
International Festival. As regards the deferred payments due from
Iraq, there has been no progress due to the UN sanctions. On the
political side, the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs met
Minister of External Affairs in New York during the 50th Session
of the UN General Assembly. In response to a letter from Iraqi
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of External Affairs reiterated
India's support for Iraq's independence, sovereignty and
territorial integrity. In a message to President Saddam Hussein,
President Shri Shanker Dayal Sharma congratulated him on his
assumption of office for a 7-year term, consequent on the
referendum of 15 October. India continued the policy favouring a
phased withdrawal of the UN sanctions in tandem with the Iraqi
compliance of the UN Security Council requirements.
India's traditionally close relations with Oman have been further
strengthened with the addition of an agenda for substantial
expansion and diversification of bilateral economic cooperation.
High level contacts between India and Oman continued in order to
follow up on the various important decisions taken during Prime
Minister's visit to Oman in June 1993. The first meeting of the
Indo-Omani Joint Commission, established in pursuance of the
Economic, Trade and Technical
-40>
Cooperation Agreement signed during Prime Minister's visit, was
held in New Delhi from 18 to 20 April. The Omani side was led by
Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbool bin Ali Sultan and the
Indian side by Minister of State for Commerce Shri P Chidambaram.
The Joint Commission reviewed the whole gamut of Indo-Omani
economic and commercial relations and agreed for the speedier
implementation of projects in the hydrocarbon and fertilizer
sectors. Sultan also held meetings with Finance Minister Dr
Manmohan Singh, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas
Captain Satish Sharma, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism
Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad and Minister of External Affairs Shri
Pranab Mukherjee. A delegation from Omani Chamber of Commerce and
Industry which accompanied Sultan, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry for establishment of a Joint Business Committee to
promote bilateral trade and investment. Omani Minister of
Communications Salim bin Abdullah Al Ghazali visited India from
30 May to 1 June at the invitation of Minister of Civil Aviation
and Tourism Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad. During his visit an Air
Services Agreement between India and Oman was signed which
allowed the large Keralite community based in Oman direct access
from Muscat to Cochin.
Chief Justice of India Shri A M Ahmadi visited Oman on 11 and 12
March. A 14-member delegation from Confederation of Indian
Industry (Southern Region) visited Oman from 17 to 20 March and
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry for promoting cooperation in trade and
investment. The then Chief of Staff of the Indian Air Force Air
Chief Marshal S k Kaul visited Oman from 16 to 19 November.
During his visit the Omani side reiterated their keen interest in
expanding bilateral cooperation with India in the defence sector.
Heir-Apparent and Defence Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin
Khalifa Al-Thani deposed his father Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-
Thani and declared himself the new Emir on 27 June. He also
assumed the office of Prime Minister while retaining the posts of
Defence Minister and Commander-in-
-41>
|
Chief of the Armed Forces. The President of India and the Prime
Minister of India sent messages of felicitations to the new Emir.
India and Qatar continue to enjoy good relations. However, a
significant potential exists for developing more substantive
relations in the economic area particularly in the hydrocarbon
sector. Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hemad bin Jassim bin
Jabor Al-Thani visited India on 23 and 24 April. He called on the
President of India, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and
the Minister of External Affairs. The discussions centered on
coordination of views on regional and international issues of
mutual interest as well as the need for expanding and
strengthening bilateral economic relations. The Ministry took
note of his suggestion for concluding a security arrangement
between India and Qatar keeping in view the interest of both the
countries in maintaining stability in the Gulf region. The
Minister of Energy and Industry Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah
visited India from 23 to 27 March at the invitation of Minister
of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Captain Satish Sharma.
During the visit it was agreed that high level contacts will be
maintained in order to identify areas of mutually beneficial
cooperation particularly in the hydrocarbons and related areas.
Foreign Secretary Shri Salman Haidar paid an official visit to
Doha on 15 and 16 July and held discussions on bilateral and
regional issues of mutual interest. Minister of State for
External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia sent an invitation to Qatari
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abdulla Al Mehmoud to
visit India.
As regards Saudi Arabia, a 12-member team from Saudi Armed Forces
Command and Staff College visited in June and toured defence
facilities. From the Indian side, Foreign Secretary Shri Salman
Haidar visited Saudi Arabia (July) and held discussions with
Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Sheikh Abdul Rahman
Al Mansouri. Health Minister Shri A R Antulay visited the Kingdom
in November and held discussions with his Saudi counterpart.
Minister of External Affairs, in a message to Saudi Foreign
Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal, conveyed shock at the Riyadh car
bomb blast and condemned the terrorist act. President and Prime
Minister in separate messages conveyed their concern at the
hospitalisation of
-42>
King Fahd and their best wishes for His Majesty's early recovery.
On the trade side, delegations from FICCI and Spices Board
visited the Kingdom and India participated in the Life Style
Exhibition in Jeddah. Under an Agreement between CSIR and Saudi
Arabian Standards Organisation (SASO), Saudi nominees have been
accepted for training in standards.
India's multi-faceted relations with United Arab Emirates (UAE)
continued to grow. UAE with the bilateral trade exceeding Rs 8700
crores has emerged as one of India's biggest trading partners.
During 1995, India became the third largest exporter to UAE after
Japan and China and ahead of US, the UK and South Korea. India's
exports to UAE during the first nine months of 1995 exceeded Rs
3000 crores. During the year, there was increased interaction in
the defence sector which could develop into a potentially
significant area for mutually beneficial cooperation. Fourteen
Indian companies from public and private sector participated in
the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX'95) held in Dubai in
March. A high level official Indian delegation led by Minister of
State for Defence Shri Mallikarjun also visited the exhibition.
Shri Mallikarjun again visited Dubai from 14 to 16 November to
attend the Dubai Aerospace Exhibition'95. He met Crown Prince of
Dubai Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Defence Minister
of UAE. The then Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S K Kaul
visited UAE from 20 to 22 October. He called on the Crown Prince
of Dubai and Defence Minister Sheikh Mohammed and Chief of Staff
of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Two Indian naval
ships and a submarine paid a goodwill visit to UAE from 18 to 30
November. During the visit, joint naval exercises were held with
the UAE Navy. A high level 7-member defence delegation from UAE
visited India from 28 August to 2 September to prepare the ground
work for the visit of Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces. The then
Minister of Agriculture Shri Balram Jakhar visited UAE on 13 and
14 July and. held discussions with his UAE counterpart for
boosting relations in the field of agriculture. Secretary (East)
visited UAE on 18 and 19 July in the context of periodic official
level bilateral consultations.
India's relations with Yemen continued to be cordial. The
bilateral economic relations, which had been restricted
-43>
because of the civil war situation in Yemen in the previous
years, saw positive movement with the first meeting of Indo-Yemen
Joint Committee held on 10 and 11 July in Sana'a. The Indian
delegation was led by Secretary (East). A number of areas were
identified for bilateral cooperation including trade and
investment, small scale industry, tele-communications,
hydrocarbons, civil aviation, construction, science and
technology, health, education, agriculture and provision of
training to Yemeni experts and deputation of Indian experts to
Yemen under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation
Programme. The delegation called on the Prime Minister, the
Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Planning and Development
and the Minister of Defence. An Agreement on Economic and
Technical Cooperation between India and Yemen was signed on 11
July. A 7-member senior level defence delegation from Yemen
visited India from 3 to 10 November with a view to identifying
areas of bilateral cooperation including possibility of sourcing
hardware from India.
The efforts initiated in recent years to develop a multi-faceted
relationship of mutual advantage with Iran were pursued further.
There was a significant step-up in high level exchanges of visits
which contributed to expansion and diversification of bilateral
cooperation in several areas. Regular contacts between both the
foreign offices facilitated this process.
The President of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani paid a State visit
to India from 17 to 19 April 1995. During his stay in India,
President Rafsanjani called on President, held wide ranging
discussions with Prime Minister, addressed a joint meeting of
Parliament and met Minister of External Affairs. Delegation level
talks covered bilateral economic, technical and cultural
cooperation. The two sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation
into new areas. The two sides also agreed to expand people-to-
people contacts and to sustain the high-level exchanges which
would further strengthen the positive trends of bilateral
relations in the recent period. During the visit, Memoranda of
Understanding were signed on Cooperation in Tourism;
Telecommunications & Postal Services; Environment; and Prevention
of Drug Trafficking. A Cultural Exchange Programme was also
concluded.
-44>
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ali Akbar Velayati visited
India on 13 January 1996 for bilateral discussion on various
important political and economic issues. During his stay in
India, he called on Prime Minister and had meetings with Minister
of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Minister of State
for External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia. During the visit, important
bilateral, regional and international political issues besides
various bilateral economic projects like Qeshm Island Fertilizer
Project, Indo-Iran Gas Pipe Line, etc were discussed. Dr Velayati
attended the centenary. celebration of Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) in Bombay on 12 January 1996.
Other important visits from the Iranian side were: W Deputy
Minister of Commerce Dr N Shirazi led a delegation in November
1995 to strengthen commercial relations between the two
countries. During the visit an important commercial deal was
concluded for supply of wheat to Iran, the first ever such deal
between the two countries; (ii) During the same time Deputy
Foreign Minister Abbas Maleki visited India to attend a seminar
organised by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust; (iii) Agriculture
Minister Dr Issa Kalantari visited India during the first week of
February 1996 to strengthen cooperation in the fields of
agriculture, animal husbandry, etc.
Minister of Food Shri Ajit Singh visited Iran in the beginning of
October 1995. Foreign Secretary Shri Salman Haidar also led a
team of officials from different Ministries to Tehran from 28 to
30 August 1995 for a mid-term review of 8th Joint Commission
decisions. Significant points that emerged from the visit
included setting up of joint projects in the fields of
fertilizer, gas pipeline, railway signalling, etc. Except the
pipeline project, the two other projects are moving in a positive
direction.
Increased inter-governmental interaction also resulted in closer
contact between the corporate sectors of the two countries. The
Delhi branch of the Indo-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry
was set up in November 1995 which is expected to further the
economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
-45>
During the year under review India's relations with the West Asia
and North Africa (WANA) countries continued to grow
multifariously, in a strengthening spirit of mutual understanding
and cooperation. Their distinguishing feature was Government of
India's successful projection of its principled stand on Kashmir
to these countries, which was reflected in Pakistan's failure to
internationalise the issue in the UN fora with their help.
Countries of this region, by and large, dissuaded Pakistan from
introducing resolutions, at the UN Human Rights Sub-Commission
meeting in Geneva as well as at the 50th session of the UN
General Assembly.
|
The signing of the agreements between Israel and the PLO, which
provided for extension of self-rule for Palestinians in the West
Bank, was warmly welcomed by India. India's deep interest in the
progress of the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) was displayed by
her participation in the Middle East/North Africa Economic
Summits held in Amman in October 1995, as well as in the
participation in all Working Groups of the MEPP. India continued
to extend moral and material help to the Palestinian people.
India made an additional pledge of $1 million by way of Indian
cooperation for projects in the Palestinian territory. It was
also decided to open a Representative Office in the Palestinian
Authority (PA) administered areas of Gaza and West Bank.
The Prime Minister's visit to Egypt on 15 and 16 October 1995 was
in keeping with India's long-standing ties with the Arab world.
The visit also helped to consolidate Indo-Egyptian relations.
India expressed her anguish at the tragic assassination of
Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; Finance Minister Dr
Manmohan Singh represented India at the funeral.
India's commercial and economic relations with WANA countries
showed a renewed vibrancy. Bilateral trade with various partners
was marked by healthy growth rate and diversification. India's
economic reforms and liberalisation policies, and their positive
manifestations, have been viewed in the WANA region with
considerable interest and admiration, which may be expected to
provide further momentum to economic cooperation.
-46>
India noted with interest the successful conduct of Algeria's
Presidential elections, and sent congratulatory messages to
Lamine Zeroual on. his election to the high post. Shri R L
Bhatia, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Algeria
from 19 to 23 January 1996. Both countries maintained their
tradition of mutual understanding, and coordination of approach
in various international fora.
Relations with traditionally friendly Egypt were considerably
strengthened when Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao visited
Egypt on 15 and 16 October 1995. The visit, and his discussions
with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on matters of bilateral
interest and mutual concern, imparted greater dynamism to the
bilateral relations. Three agreements signed during the visit
included an Agreement on Scientific and Technological
Cooperation, Agreement on Cooperation in the Sphere of
Information, and Cooperation Agreement to combat all forms of
Criminal Acts particularly Terrorist, Transnational and Organised
Crimes. A 6-member Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of Lok
Sabha, Shri Shivraj Patil, visited Egypt from 14 to 17 April
1995. A protocol of cooperation between All India Radio and
Doordarshan and ERTV was signed in November 1995. Steel Authority
of India (SAIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Egyptian company MICOR for bilateral and third country ventures.
A business delegation from Alexandria visited India from 26
February to 6 March 1996. The Union Minister for Agriculture,
Rural Areas and Employment Dr Jagan Nath Mishra led an official
delegation to attend the Afro-Asian Rural Reconstruction
Organisation (AARRO) Conference in Cairo from 15 to 18 March
1996.
Bilateral relations between India and Israel were added further
facets and strength, particularly in trade and economic
cooperation. In April 1995 Minister of State for External Affairs
Shri R L Bhatia visited Israel and held discussions on a wide
range of issues. Visits by Chief Ministers of several States were
undertaken to explore possibilities of improving cooperation in
agriculture, dry land farming, horticulture, and conservation of
water resources etc. Israel's Minister of Education, Professor
Amnon Rubenstein visited
-47>
India from 17 to 24 January 1996, followed by Finance Minister,
Avraham B Shohat, ' from 25 to 31 January 1996. The first meeting
of the India-Israel Joint Committee on Trade and Economic
Cooperation was held in Israel from 28 to 31 January 1996.
Minister of State for Commerce Shri P Chidambaram led the Indian
delegation.
Traditional friendly relations with Jordan were further bolstered
with regular contacts and exchange of visits at various levels.
An official Indian delegation led by Minister of State for
External Affairs, Shri R L Bhatia, visited Amman to participate
in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Economic Summit from 29 to
31 October 1995. The 7th session of the India-Jordan Trade and
Economic Joint Committee was held in Amman on 13 and 14 March
1996. This was part of the sustained efforts to promote bilateral
trade and economic cooperation, including diversification.
Relations with Lebanon have been friendly, which are now marked
by a growing awareness in both countries of mutual benefits of
economic cooperation. Efforts of the Lebanon Government for
economic reconstruction of the country are opening up
opportunities to widen economic contacts between the two sides.
Foreign Secretary, Shri Salman Haider, visited Beirut on 23 and
24 September 1995 to hold bilateral consultations prior to the
50th session of the UN General Assembly.
The 7th meeting of the India-Libya Joint Commission was held in
Tripoli from 13 to 15 April 1995. Minister of State for Industry
Shrimati Krishna Sahi led the Indian delegation. One main issue
at the Joint Commission meeting was to seek more expeditious
payments from the Libyan side of various outstanding dues of
Indian construction and other companies for works done in that
country. Both sides reached understanding on a time frame for
these payments. A Special Envoy of Libya's Foreign Minister Dr
Salem Ben A'mir visited India from 11 to 15 September 1995.
The growing relations with Morocco received a further fillip when
Morocco's Trade Minister Driss Jettou led an official-cum-
business delegation on a visit to India in the last week of June
1995. Jettou along with India's Minister of State for
-48>
Commerce led the two sides at the second meeting of the India-
Morocco Joint Commission, held after a gap of several years. Both
sides evinced a strong interest in expansion of their bilateral
trade and economic cooperation, and identified several new areas
towards this objective. It was decided to hold an exclusive
Indian trade expo in Casablanca in 1996, which is being organised
as scheduled. President of the Moroccan House of Representatives,
Dr Jalal Essaid, led a delegation to India from 7 to 12 August
1995. In September the two countries reached an understanding for
cooperation in the area of solar energy.
India's relations with Palestine, represented through the
Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), continued to be
characterised by regular consultations, mutual understanding,
friendship and support, and growing economic cooperation. India
has been an unwavering supporter of the legitimate aspirations of
the Palestinian people. India has also extended her full support
to the Middle 'East Peace Process. India welcomed the Agreements,
signed between Israel and the PLO on 30 September 1995 in
Washington DC, expanding self-rule to areas of the West Bank, and
reiterated her view that for durable peace in the region it was
necessary to resolve all outstanding issues to the satisfaction
of all parties concerned. India continued and expanded her moral,
material and technical assistance to the Palestinian refugees. In
part fulfilment of India's pledge made at a Donor's Conference in
October 1993, 83 tons of tea was despatched to Gaza and Jericho.
In early 1996 India announced a pledge of another $ one million
for reconstruction projects in the Palestinian Authority
administered areas of Gaza and the West Bank, India decided to
open a Representative Office to the Palestinian Authority, to be
located in Gaza initially. The Office is to start functioning
very shortly. Minister of State for External Affairs Shri R L
Bhatia visited Gaza in April 1995 and met Chairman Yasser Arafat.
On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with
Palestinian People, Prime Minister sent a message to the UN
reiterating India's commitment of support for the Palestinian
people and their legitimate aspirations.
-49>
Bilateral relations with the Sudan continued to improve further.
Foreign Minister of the Sudan, Ali Osman Mohammad Taha, paid an
official visit to India from 30 May to 3 June 1995. The visit
provided an occasion for a useful exchange of views on matters of
bilateral interest and mutual concern. The two sides also agreed
to upgrade the Joint Committee for bilateral cooperation to a
Joint Commission to meet at ministerial level.
Similar progress was made in strengthening bilateral relations
with Syria. There was an increased emphasis to translate the
potential for greater economic cooperation into concrete
measures. Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee paid
an official visit to Syria from 24 to 26 November 1995. In his
meeting in Damascus with Syrian President Hafez Al Assad, he held
discussions on matters of mutual interest. An Indian
Parliamentary delegation visited Syria from 25 to 29 December
1995. In a new development the two countries signed a barter deal
worth US $7 million providing for export of dumpers by the BEML
from India against import of rock phosphate from Syria. A
delegation from Central Electronics Laboratory visited Syria from
9 to 13 October 1995, when a Protocol on Transfer of Technology
was signed to set up a photovoltaic cell plant in Syria. India
participated in the Damascus International Trade Fair, Damascus
International Film Festival, and a cultural Bosra International,
Festival in Syria.
Bilateral relations with Tunisia retained their positive trend of
increasing understanding and cooperation. Minister of State for
External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia visited Tunisia on 17 and 18
October 1995. During his visit two bilateral agreements were
signed, one on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and the
other was a Declaration on Combating Drug Trafficking, Organised
Crime and International Terrorism.
India maintained traditionally close relations with the League of
Arab States (LAS). Regular consultations were held with LAS, and
its Secretary General, on matters of mutual concern. Minister of
External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee sent a message of
congratulations to Dr Esmat Adel Maguid in March 1996 on his re-
election as Secretary General for another 5-year term.
-50>
|
1995
Africa (South of the Sahara) |
Top |
Building on almost five decades of close political support and
provision of technical assistance India is now moving towards
closer economic and trade relations with the countries of sub-
Saharan Africa in the true spirit of South-South Cooperation.
Visits in 1995-96 to India of the President of Mali and Prime
Ministers of Mauritius and Namibia and those of the President of
India to Namibia and Zimbabwe and Prime Minister of India to
Burkina Faso and Ghana alongwith several ministerial and senior
official level exchanges have all contributed to strengthening
ties with Africa. Countries of Francophone Africa are also now
receiving greater attention with the establishment of a high-
level inter-ministerial coordination board for the sub-region.
A conference on "Understanding Contemporary Africa: India and
South-South Cooperation" jointly organised by the India
International Centre and the Department of African Studies of the
Delhi University in close coordination with the Africa Division
in February 1996 provided a useful opportunity to assess the
impact of the rapid changes taking place in comtemporary Africa
that might call for suitable adjustments in India's policy
towards Africa.
There have been positive developments in the peace processes in
Angola and Liberia. The role of Indian peace-keeping contingents
under the auspices of the United Nations con-
-51>
tinue to draw admiration. There are also moves for closer
bilateral and regional political and economic cooperation among
countries of Africa. Indian public and private sector enterprises
are actively engaged in these developments, and also in bilateral
trade and economic cooperation. India took part in the Regional
Workshop for eastern and southern Africa in Harare on 26 and 27
July organised jointly by UNDP, Japan and Zimbabwe, and in the
activities of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
India's trade with sub-Saharan Africa continued to maintain an
upward trend. Exports to the region in 1994-95 increased by over
34% in comparison with the previous year to reach a level of Rs
2671 crores, while imports too increased by 24% to Rs 2700
crores. The most spectacular growth expected was achieved in the
case of South Africa with bilateral trade reaching Rs 994 crores
in 1994-95. Other major trading partners in the region were
Nigeria, Mauritius, Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania.
India's exports to sub-Saharan Africa, however, were hampered by
lack of EXIM Bank credit lines/ECGC cover which in turn have
their own limitations due to past blocked repayments arising from
foreign exchange difficulties in most of those countries.
Developing a multifaceted and close relationship between India
and South Africa has been a priority of both the Governments.
Following the historic visit of President Mandela to India in
January 1995, the India-South Africa Joint Commission held its
first meeting in July 1995 in Pretoria when concrete steps were
identified for augmenting cooperation in the political, economic,
trade, science and technology, defence, health, educational and
cultural sectors. An Agreement on Cooperation in Science and
Technology was signed. Several high level visits followed, most
notably from the South African side, those of the Ministers of
Housing, Health, Trade and Industry, and Justice, and the
Minister without portfolio in the President's Office in charge of
development planning, a Parliamentary delegation led by the
Speaker, a Constitutional delegation led by the Minister for
Constitutional Affairs, and, from the
-52>
Indian side, those of Smt Sonia Gandhi and the Minister of State
for Defence.
At the Joint Commission it was also decided that India would
organise a cultural festival in South Africa in 1997. In
recognition of the contribution made by Mahatma Gandhi to the
freedom struggles in both countries, a set of commemorative
stamps was jointly released by the President of India in New
Delhi and the Foreign Minister of South Africa in Pretoria on 2
October 1995 which also marked the closing of a year of
activities commemorating Gandhiji's 125th birth anniversary.
India's desire to strengthen relations with the countries of
southern Africa and capitalise on the new environment in the
region following the emergence of a multiracial South Africa was
demonstrated by state visits by the President of India Shri
Shanker Dayal Sharma and Smt Vimala Sharma to Namibia and
Zimbabwe in June 1995. In Zimbabwe, the President donated Rs 1
million to the Jawaharlal Nehru-Robert Mugabe Trust Fund and a
Tata mini-bus to the Zimbabwe Child Survival and Development
Foundation.
In Namibia, the President also announced a donation of 1000 MT of
wheat to help tide over the drought conditions in that country
while Smt Vimala Sharma donated a mini-bus to the Namibian
National AIDS Control Programme. The fourth session of the India-
Zimbabwe Joint Commission held in Harare in January 1996
identified several measures to strengthen bilateral trade and
economic cooperation. India greeted the re-election of President
Robert Mugabe in the elections held in March 1996. The visit of
the Namibian Prime Minister Hage Geingob to India in November
1995 provided an opportunity to further consolidate the close
friendly relations between the two countries. The Namibian Prime
Minister expressed his support for India's candidature to a
permanent seat on an expanded UN Security Council. India
committed herself to setting up a Technology Demonstration and
Training Centre in Namibia. A Trade Agreement and a Memorandum of
Understanding on cooperation on potable water supply in Namibia
were signed during the visit. Minister of State Shri Mukul Wasnik
represented India at the Donors' Conference on Namibia in Geneva
in November 1995.
-53>
India's traditionally close relations with Mozambique and Zambia
were further strengthened during the year through exchange of
high level visits and enhancement of commercial and economic
cooperation programmes. The Defence Minister of Mozambique
visited India in November 1995 and the Agriculture Minister of
Zambia in February 1996. An exclusive Indian exhibition
INDEXPO'95 was organised in Lusaka in May 1995.
India's interest in supporting the peace efforts in Angola were
demonstrated through the positive contribution of the Indian
contingent including an infantry battalion, two companies of
engineers and civilian and military observers to the United
Nations Angolan Verification Mission (UNAVEM-III). India was also
represented at the Donors' Conference on Angola at Brussels in
September 1995 on which occasion she reiterated her commitment to
assist in the economic reconstruction of war-torn Angola.
Relations with Mauritius, with whom India has special ties, were
further strengthened through high level contacts established
during the visits of Mauritian Finance Minister in August 1995
and Prime Minister Jugnauth in October 1995, and the Deputy Prime
Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new government, Paul Berenger,
in February 1996. Visits from the Indian side included those of
Smt Sonia Gandhi in April, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok
Sabha Shri A B Vajpayee in June and former Prime Minister Shri
Chandrasekhar in September. Both countries continued to maintain
close consultation and coordination at international fora. At the
50th UNGA, Mauritius supported India's claim for permanent
membership of an expanded UN Security Council. Both countries
also share similar views and are in close coordination on the
setting up of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. India reiterated
her desire to consolidate and expand relations with Mauritius
under the new government led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolaw
following, the general elections in December 1995.
A 'Made in India' show organised by the Confederation of Indian
Industry in Mauritius in June evoked an enthusiastic response and
a Joint Task Force set up in its wake has
-54>
identified a number of areas for joint venture projects and
commercial cooperation. Over 60 defence officers and 50 civilians
from Mauritius were trained in India during the year, while 20
experts are on deputation to the Government of Mauritius. In the
cultural field, India provided a grant of Rs 10 lakhs for the
Hindi-speaking Union in Mauritius.
|
India also attaches great value to her relations with the
Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. India joined in the
international condemnation of the mercenary coup against the
legitimately constituted Government of Comoros in September 1995.
The Minister for Trade and Economy of Comoros visited India in
February 1996. India welcomed the election of president Mohamed
Taki Abdoulkarim the following month. The Minister of Finance and
Communications of the Seychelles James Michel visited India on
several occasions during the year. The meeting of the India-
Seychelles Joint Commission in New Delhi in February 1996
identified several new areas of technical and cultural
cooperation between the two countries. The Seychelles also
established a weekly air link with India in June 1995 with the
objective of strengthening bilateral trade and tourism.
India's relations with Kenya and Uganda continued to be marked by
mutual close understanding. President Moi made a stop-over in
Delhi on his way to Malaysia in September. Exports to Kenya have
shown substantial increase and Kenya participated for the first
time in the India International Trade Fair in November. Trade
delegations from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and
Indian Merchants Chamber visited Uganda in June and July
respectively. Uganda was among the largest beneficiaries from
Africa of ITEC/SCAAP training programmes in India. The presence
of the Ugandan Vice President Wandira-Kazibwe at the CII
centenary celebrations in Bombay and the constructive
deliberations of the second session of the India-Uganda Joint
Committee in New Delhi in January 1996 were further
manifestations of the desire of both countries to strengthen
trade and economic relations.
Tanzania was engaged through most part of the year with
preparations for its first multiparty elections held in October
1995. India welcomed the re-election of the Chama Cha
-55>
Mapinduzi (CCM) to power with an overwhelming majority in the
Parliament and the election of its candidate Benjamin Mkapa as
President. Bilateral relations have progressed steadily with
Indian companies winning five contracts worth about US$ 20
million against stiff international competition. A number of
joint venture proposals were also initiated during this period.
Former President Dr Julius Nyerere visited India in January 1996
to receive the first Gandhi Peace Prize. The Tanzanian Chief of
Defence Forces R P Mboma led a military delegation to India for
discussions aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between
the two, countries. The year also witnessed the conclusion of a
Protocol on Cooperation between the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research and the Tanzanian Commission for Science &
Technology as well as a Memorandum of Cooperation between the
Indian Merchants Chamber and the Tanzanian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry.
India remained concerned about the continuing conflict in Rwanda
and Burundi and of the security of Indian nationals in these
countries. Both countries demonstrated interest in increasing and
strengthening technical cooperation with India. The Indian
contingent to the United Nations Aid Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR)
came in for praise from the Rwandan authorities for its high
standards of professionalism.
Relations with Ethiopia continued to be friendly. India welcomed
the installation of a new democratically elected Government
headed by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi following general elections
held in May under the new constitution. Ethiopia has expressed
keen interest in expanding economic cooperation with India and
recruiting Indian experts in the fields of education, irrigation,
soil conservation, agricultural development, etc and for training
of its personnel in various fields.
The Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao visited Burkina Faso
and Ghana in November. The visit was intended to demonstrate
India's interest in strengthening relations with the region.
India initiated a Rs 15.8 crore Agricultural Development Project
in Burkina Faso. The Prime Minister personally handed over the
first consignment of tractors and other
-56>
agricultural implements during his visit. A Trade Agreement and
Memorandum of Understanding on railway cooperation were also
signed. Relations were further strengthened with the visit to
India of Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Ablasse Ouedraogo and
the holding of the second meeting of the bilateral Joint
Commission in February 1996.
With Ghana, an agreement for setting up a Joint Commission with
the objective of further enhancing and diversifying the already
existing multifaceted bilateral relationship was signed. India
gifted two eye care clinics and a toy 'train for a children's
park in Ghana. Two major credit agreements were signed during the
year to help finance Ghana's urban transport and rural
electrification projects.
The President of Mali Alpha Oumar Konare visited India in August
when India-agreed to assist Mali in areas of agriculture, rural
development and employment generation, drinking water supply,
small scale industries, etc. These understandings were
consolidated further with the visit to India of the Ministers of
Industries, Tourism and Handicrafts and of Rural Development and
Environment in March 1996. With the other countries of West
Africa also, India made efforts to strengthen political
understanding and expand economic cooperation. The Minister of
State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid visited Guinea
and Ivory Coast in November 1995. The Minister of State for
Education and Culture Km Selja visited Ghana, Burkina Faso and
Ivory Coast in July with the aim of intensifying educational and
cultural relations with the countries of the region. The first
meeting of the India-Senegal Joint Trade Committee was held in
Dakar in August 1995. India and Senegal are also partners within
the G-15 group of developing countries and India is undertaking a
number of projects in Senegal aimed at a practical demonstration
of her commitment to South-South cooperation.
All the above west African countries expressed support for
India's claim for the permanent membership of the Security
Council and their stand against internationalisation of the
Kashmir issue which they want to see settled under Simla
agreement.
-57>
India welcomed the elections in Benin and Sierra Leone in March
1996. India also took positive note of the peace accord on
Liberia concluded in the Nigerian capital of Abuja in August and
the installation of a broadly representative Council of State in
that country. India also remained concerned about developments in
Nigeria. While India was a party to the Queenstown Declaration of
the Commonwealth Heads of Government at Auckland on the
suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth, India continued to
value her close ties with Nigeria and expressed the hope that the
Nigerian Government, would do all that was necessary to regain
her rightful place in the Commonwealth at the earliest
opportunity.
India's bilateral relations with the countries of sub-Saharan
Africa were complemented and reinforced through increased
interaction with regional organisations. India viewed the Indian
Ocean Rim Initiative (IORI) as an economic bridgehead between
Asia and Africa and is participating actively in the initiative
launched at Mauritius in March 1995. The Deputy Executive
Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) L
B Monyake visited India in September and the Secretary General of
the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Dr
Bingu Wa Mutharika in November to examine possibilities of
cooperation with India within a regional framework. India
recognises the growing importance of such multilateral economic
links as a natural corollary of a globalising, interdependent
world economy and as an important instrument to fully exploit the
immense opportunities for economic cooperation with the peoples
of Africa.
-58>
|
Europe |
Top |
1995
Eastern Europe |
Top |
India's relations with countries of the Commonwealth of
Independent States as well as Central and Eastern Europe were
consolidated and further strengthened during 1995-96.
Traditionally, India's relations with almost all these countries
have been characterised by friendship and cooperation based on
trust and confidence. The effort has been to retain these
positive elements of the old relationship while making
adjustments, as necessary, in a dynamic and forward looking
manner. The evolution of these countries towards democracy and
political pluralism on the one hand, and towards market-oriented
structures giving freer play to private enterprise and initiative
on the other, is evocative of the similar choices which have been
made in India and have tended to reinforce similarities in basic
outlook.
Consequently, apart from developing on the tradition of
friendship and continuity in these relationships, special efforts
have been made to emphasise the new commonalities of approach and
outlook which have emerged between India and these countries in
the recent past. Direct contacts at the Parliamentary level have
been further cultivated to create the national consensus, cutting
across party affiliations on the importance of good bilateral
relations between India and these countries. On their part, these
countries have recognised the potential which India provides as a
large emergent market and have
-59>
been keen to build upon existing institutional mechanisms and
business linkages in order to take advantage of these
opportunities. The efforts on both sides to judiciously blend
continuity with change in seeking to adjust to the transition
process in the Commonwealth of Independent States/Central and
East European region have imparted both dynamism and
diversification to India's relations with these countries.
India's relations with the Russian Federation continued to
develop satisfactorily and in a multi-faceted manner. Both
countries sought to emphasise the importance which they attach to
their relations and their strategic cooperation in various
spheres of cooperation.
Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao met Russian President Boris
Yeltsin on 22 October 1995 during the 50th UN General Assembly
Session in New York.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee represented
the Prime Minister at the Victory in Europe Day celebrations in
Moscow from 8 to 10 May 1995.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri F Yarov visited India from 5
to 7 July 1995 for a meeting of the Co-Chairmen of the Indo-
Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic,
Scientific, Technological and Cultural Co-operation. He called on
Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao and had meetings with
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Minister
of Industry Shri K Karunakaran, as well as Ministers of State for
Commerce and Power. The visit was useful in identifying issues
needing priority attention prior to the full meeting of the Joint
Commission.
Minister of External Affairs visited Moscow from 3 to 6 August
1995 at the invitation of the then Russian Foreign Minister
Andrei Kozyrev. Apart from discussions with Kozyrev, he met Prime
Minister Victor Chernomyrdin.
The Second Meeting of the Indo-Russian Joint Commission took
place from 9 to 12 October 1995. Minister of External Affairs
Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Deputy Prime Minister Yuri F Yarov co-
chaired the meeting of the Commission. The 64-member Russian
delegation for the meeting included the
-60>
Ministers of Culture and Construction and the Chairman of the
Trade Committee in addition to 10 Deputy Ministers and several
high-ranking officers. Yarov called on Prime Minister Shri P V
Narasimha Rao and met Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Madan Lal
Khurana.
The Protocol signed after the meeting of the Joint Commission
took note of the rapid growth in bilateral trade which had taken
place and stressed the need to promote, economic and investment
cooperation between the two countries. It also stressed the need
to increase investment cooperation through joint investment of
rupee debt repayment funds in projects in both India and Russia.
The year saw the establishment of mechanisms for increased
cooperation in shipping with the decision to establish a joint
shipping service between the two countries. The Commission also
established a tenth Working Group on Pharmaceuticals to promote
bilateral cooperation in trade and investment in this area.
Commander of the Border Guards of the Russian Federation
Nikololaev visited India in April 1995 at the invitation of Home
Minister Shri S B Chavan. He had discussions with Home Minister
and met Minister of State for External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia.
An Agreement on Cooperation across state borders, providing for
cooperation between the two countries in combating illegal
migration, smuggling of prohibited items and illicit drug
trafficking was signed during the visit.
The "Days of Russian Culture" was held in India from 1 to 14
December 1995. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yarov visited India
from 1 to 3 December 1995 for inauguration of the event. Prime
Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao and Yarov inaugurated the event
at a well-attended ceremony at Kamani Auditorium. Prominent and
well-established cultural troupes from Russia including Kremlin
Ballet Troupe gave star performances in Delhi, Bombay and
Calcutta. The event concluded with performances in Calcutta.
Yarov called on Prime Minister during the visit. Prime Minister
Chernomyrdin and President Yelstin sent special messages on the
occasion.
The Prime Minister of Tatarstan F Mukhametshin led a delegation
to India from 10 to 14 January 1996 at the invitation of the
President of the Indian Council for Cultural
-61>
Relations Shri Vasant Sathe. He called on the Minister of
External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the President of the
Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He also had meetings with
the Minister of State Shri R L Bhatia. He had intensive business
discussions with FICCI with which a Memorandum of Understanding
on Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed. Tatarstan and the
Indian Council for Cultural Relations also signed a Cultural
Agreement during the visit.
Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation V
A Tumanov visited India at the invitation of the Chief Justice of
India Shri A M Ahmadi from 25 February to 3 March 1996. In
addition to having meetings with the Chief Justice, Tumanov also
called on the Vice President Shri K R Narayanan and the, Minister
of State for Law, Justice and Company Affairs Shri H R Bhardwaj.
He also had meetings with National Human Rights Commission, the
Bar Council of India and the Bar' Council of the Supreme Court.
Tumanov was also received by the Governor of Goa Shri Romesh
Bhandari. This was the first visit from Russian Federation in the
area of judiciary.
The Head of Ryazan Regional Administrator Gennadiy K Merkulov
visited India from 25 to 28 February 1996 to discuss with the
Indian business and industry, possible business cooperation
between Indian companies and the Ryazan. He called on the
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia. He had
intensive discussions with the FICCI, CII and PHDCCI with whom
the Ryazan delegation signed several Memoranda of Understanding.
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Yevgeny M Primakov
visited India on 30 and 31 March 1996 at the invitation of the
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee. This was the
first bilateral visit of a Russian Foreign Minister after 16
years. Primakov had meetings with the Minister of External
Affairs and called on the President Shri Shanker Dayal Sharma,
the Vice President Shri K R Narayanan and the Prime Minister Shri
P V Narasimha Rao. The two Ministers signed an Agreement on
establishment of Hot Line between Kremlin in Moscow and the Prime
-62>
Minister's residence in New Delhi as well as the Cultural
Exchange Programme between India and Russia for the years 1996-
97. In addition, the Indian National Science Academy and the
Russian Academy of Sciences signed an Agreement on cooperation
between the two Academies, in the presence of the Minister of
External Affairs and the Russian Foreign Minister.
A Russian ship Mikhail Olminskiy was detained at Cochin port on 6
December 1995 on suspicion of smuggling electronic goods into
India. The customs authorities claim to have discovered
substantial evidence to that effect. The Russian Consul General
in Madras alleged that the Indian Customs officials had beaten
the ship's crew and taken away their private property. The Kerala
High Court decided that the ship could leave the port after
providing bank guarantees amounting to Rs 1.42 crores. The ship
left in the beginning of January 1996 after paying these
guarantees. The allegations of beating and taking away private
property are under investigation.
In another incident, a Russian plane AN-26 originating from Kazan
in Tatarstan, and taking off from Karachi was forcelanded in
Delhi on 24 December 1995 by the Indian Aviation authorities on
grounds that it had entered the Indian air space on an invalid
flight permit. The Russian authorities contested the allegation.
The plane's cargo was physically checked and was found in
accordance with the previously made declaration. The plane was
allowed to leave Delhi on 28 December 1995. The Russian
authorities alleged that the plane's crew was maltreated and
denied consular access for 10 hours. The matter was rectified',
however, on intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Ambassador of Russia in New Delhi, Drukov also brought the matter
to the attention of the Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab
Mukherjee who assured him of full cooperation by the Ministry of
External Affairs. He described the incident as over-response to
the Purulia event, and stressed that it is no reflection on
friendly ties and partnership between India and Russia.
Prime Minister met Ukranian Prime Minister Marchuk on 19 October
1995 during the 50th UN General Assembly Session in New York.
-63>
Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and Bosnia-
Herzegovina reached an Agreement in Dayton, USA, on 21 November
1995 on the General Framework for Peace which laid down the
constitutional principles for establishing peace in the country.
This followed the earlier Agreement on Basic Principles concluded
in September 1995. India welcomed both Agreements since these
sought to maintain the territorial integrity of Bosnia-
Herzegovina and were arrived at with the participation and
concurrence of all the concerned parties in the region.
The United Nations Security Council suspended trade and economic
sanctions against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) on 22
November 1995. India welcomed the suspension of sanctions and
looked forward to the restoration of her trade and economic
linkages with the countries of the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister of FRY Radoslav Bulajic visited India on
22 and 23 June 1995. He called on Minister of State for External
Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid and had discussions with
Secretary(West). A Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations was
signed during the visit.
An Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Shri Rabi Ray, Member
of Lok Sabha, visited FRY from 11 to 14 July 1995. The delegation
had meetings with President Lilic and Deputy Prime Minister
Unkovic, besides interacting with the Parliament of the FRY.
Foreign Minister of Croatia Mate Granic visited India from 27 to
29 April 1995. He had discussions with Minister of External
Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and called on President, Vice
President and Prime Minister. A Protocol on Foreign Office
Consultations was signed during the visit.
A Commerce-cum-External Affairs Ministry delegation visited
Slovenia from 25 to 26 June 1995. Separate bilateral discussions
were held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid
visited Estonia from 27 to 29 August 1995. He had meetings with
Minister of Foreign Affairs Riivo Sinijarv and called on
President Lenmart Meri and Deputy Prime Minister Tiit Vahi.
-64>
A Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations was signed during the
visit.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid
visited Belarus on 29 and 30 August 1995. He called on Prime
Minister Chigir, Adviser to the President Sinitsyn and had
discussions with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Tsepkalo and Minister for Foreign Economic Relations Mariich.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid
visited Lithuania on 30 and 31 August 1995. He met Foreign
Minister Povilas Gylys, and called on President Algirdas
Brazauskas and Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius. A Protocol on
Foreign Office Consultations was signed during the visit.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius made a stopover
visit in New Delhi on 28 and 29 September 1995. He had talks with
Prime Minister on bilateral and other issues of mutual interest.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid and
Minister of State for Surface Transport Shri M Rajasekhara Murthy
called on him.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid
visited Latvia from 31 August to 2 September 1995. He called on
President Ulmanis, Prime Minister Mari Gailis and had meetings
with Foreign Minister Vladis Birkavs. A Protocol on Foreign
Office Consultations, an Agreement on Technical and Economic
Cooperation, a Declaration on Principles and Directions of
Cooperation, and a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in
Culture, Arts, Education, Science, Mass Media and Sports, were
signed during the visit.
The Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee met the
Foreign Minister of Albania Alfred Serrequi in New York on the
margins of the 50th Session of the UN General Assembly.
An Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed with
Georgia on 15 August 1995.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Robert Mroziewicz visited India
from 11 to 14 June 1995 for Indo-Polish Foreign Office
-65>
Consultations which were held with Secretary (West). Mroziewicz
called on the Minister of External Affairs, the Minister of Home
Affairs, the Minister of State for Power and the Minister of
State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid. He also had
discussions with Secretary, Coal and Secretary, Culture.
The 14th Session of the Indo-Polish Joint Commission for
Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, was held
in New Delhi from 30 January to 1 February 1996. The Joint
Commission Meeting was held after a gap of over five years.
Minister of Foreign Economic Relations of Poland Jacek Buchacz
who led the Polish delegation to the Joint Commission called on
the President Shri Shanker Dayal Sharma. Minister of State for
Coal Shri Jagdish Tytler led the Indian side of the Joint
Commission.
A Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker, Lok Sabha, visited
Hungary from 24 to 29 June 1995. The delegation met Speaker of
the Hungarian Parliament Zoltan Gal as well as Minister of State
for Environment and Regional Policy Katalin Szili, Minister of
Industry and Trade Laszlo Pal, and Defence Minister Gyorgy
Keleti.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Hungary Laszlo Kovacs
visited New Delhi from 16 to 18 February 1996 for official
discussions at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs
Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Kovacs called on President Shri Shanker
Dayal Sharma, Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao and Lok Sabha
Speaker Shri Shivraj V Patil. He had discussions with Minister of
External Affairs and Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri
Salman Khurshid focussing on bilateral, regional and
international issues. Kovacs also met with Finance Minister Dr
Manmohan Singh.
|
A meeting of the Indo-Hungarian Joint Commission's Sub-group on
Trade was held in Budapest from 26 to 30, October 1995.
A programme of Cooperation was finalised for the years 1996-98
under the framework of the Indo-Hungarian Science and Technology
Agreement. Hungarian Minister of Culture and Education Gabor
Fodor visited India from 11 to 19 November
-66>
1995. Fodor called on the President, and had discussions with the
then Minister of Human Resource Development and the Minister of
State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid. A Cultural
Exchange Programme (CEP) for the years 1996-98 was signed during
the visit.
Secretary (West) visited Hungary on 18 and 19 December 1995 for
Foreign Office Consultations. He called on Political State
Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Acting, Foreign Minister Szent-
Ivanyi, and had discussions with Administrative State Secretary
in the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Dr Somogyl and other senior
Foreign Ministry officials.
The first meeting of the Indo-Slovak Joint Economic Committee was
held in Bratislava on 22 and 23 May 1995. A joint Commerce-cum-
External Affairs delegation was sent from India on this occasion.
Secretary (West) visited the Slovak Republic on 11 July 1995. He
had discussions with State Secretary in the Slovak Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Josef Sestak and State Secretary in the Slovak
Defence Ministry Josef Gajdoz.
Slovak Defence Minister Jan Sitek visited India from 13 to 17
November 1995. He had discussions with Ministers of State for
Defence and for Defence Production and Supplies. A Memorandum on
Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Slovak
Defence Ministry was concluded during his visit. Defence Minister
Sitek also had talks with Minister of State for External Affairs
Shri Salman Khurshid.
State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak
Republic Jozef Sestak visited India from 7 to 12 March 1996. He
called on Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee,
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid and
had discussions with Secretary (West). Sestak also called on the
Minister of State for Defence Shri M Mallikarjun and Minister of
State for Commerce Shri P Chidambaram. Secretary, Department of
Culture and Sestak signed an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.
A resident Indian Mission opened in Bratislava in August 1995.
Deputy Minister of Commerce and External Economic
-67>
Relations of Bulgaria Ivan Kolev visited India from 20 to 23 June
1995. Kolev called on the Ministers of Home Affairs and
Agriculture as well as the Minister of State for External Affairs
Shri Salman Khurshid. He also had discussions in the Ministry of
Defence.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development of
Bulgaria Roumen Gechev visited India from 26 to 30 September
1995. Gechev called on the Vice President ' and the Prime
Minister, and had meetings with the Ministers of Home Affairs,
Finance, Agriculture and Civil Aviation and Tourism, And
Ministers of State for Industry, for Commerce and for External
Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid. Gechev also addressed a seminar
organised by the Indo-Bulgarian Joint Business Council.
The Twelfth Session of the Indo-Bulgarian Joint Committee on
Defence Cooperation was held in Bulgaria from 4 to 10 October
1995. Secretary (West) visited Bulgaria from 20 to 22 December
1995 for Foreign Office consultations. Besides talks with
Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Glavanakov, Secretary (West)
called on Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Tsochev (who co-Chairs
the Indo-Bulgarian Joint Commission) and Foreign Minister
Pirinski:
The Romanian Minister of Research and Technology D D Palade
visited India from 7 to 11 May 1995. He had discussions with the
Minister of State for Science and Technology and Secretary,
Department of Science and Technology. A Joint Committee for
scientific and technological cooperation was formed in accordance
with the Indo-Romanian Agreement on Science and Technology.
Minister of Tourism of Romania Matei Agathon Dan paid a visit to
India from 9 to 14 April 1995. He "called on the President and
had discussions with the Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
He also met with the representatives of the Indian hotel and
tourism industry. Subsequently, from 26 to 30 November 1995, a
meeting of the Indo-Romanian Working Group on Tourism was held in
Bucharest.
Minister of Interior of Romania loan Doru Taracila visited India
from 29 October to 4 November 1995. Taracila had discussions with
the Minister of Home Affairs. An agreement
-68>
on the readmission of persons having illegal status was signed
during the visit.
The Romanian Minister of Commerce Petru Crisan visited India from
10 to 15 November 1995. While in New Delhi, he had discussions
with the Ministers of State for Commerce and for External
Affairs. On the occasion of Crisan's visit, the Indo-Romanian
Joint Business Council organised a seminar on promoting Indo-
Romanian Economic Cooperation and facilitated one-to-one meetings
between the businessmen accompanying Crisan and their Indian
counterparts. The seminar was addressed by Crisan and the
Minister of State for Commerce.
Minister of State for Defence visited Romania from 3 to 7 June
1995. During the visit, he called on President Iliescu, Deputy
Prime Minister Cosea, Foreign Minister Melescanu and the Chairman
of the Chamber of Deputies Adrian Nastase. He also had
discussions with Romanian Defence Minister Gheorge Tinca.
Minister of State for Commerce visited Romania from 21 to 24 June
1995 for the Eleventh Session of Indo-Romanian Joint Commission.
He called on Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Vacaroiu and the
Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Adrian Nastase. He also had
wide ranging discussions on Indo-Romanian economic cooperation
with Romanian Commerce Minister Petru Crisan. A Protocol was
signed at the conclusion of the Joint Commission meeting,
incorporating an action plan for increasing the bilateral Indo-
Romanian trade turnover to US $ 150-200 million in the near
future. The Fourth Session of the Indo-Romanian Joint Business
Council was held in tandem with the Joint Commission.
A Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker, Lok Sabha visited
Romania from 9 to 14 October 1995 to participate in the 94th
Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference. During the visit,
Speaker had meetings with Prime Minister Vacaroiu, President of
the Senate Oliviu Gherman and the Chairman of the Chamber of
Deputies Adrian Nastase.
President of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrossian paid a
State visit to India from 13 to 16 December 1995.
-69>
President Ter-Petrossian called on the President Dr Shanker Dayal
Sharma. The Vice President Shri K R Narayanan, Speaker of Lok
Sabha Shri Shivraj V Patil and Minister of State for External
Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid called on him. Following a meeting
between the Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao and President
Ter-Petrossian, delegation level talks were held, led by the two
leaders. Separate discussions were held between Minister of State
for External Affairs Shri Salman Kurshid and Armenia's Foreign
Minister Vahan Papazian. Representatives of Armenia's industrial
and the defence complex also had talks in the Ministry of
Defence. A Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between the
Republic of India and Republic of Armenia was signed by Prime
Minister Rao and President Ter-Petrossian. Agreements on Economic
and Technical Cooperation (ITEC) and on Cultural Cooperation were
also signed during the visit. It was also agreed to establish an
Indo-Armenian Joint Commission. This was the first ever State
visit from independent Armenia to India.
Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Helena Bambasova transited through
New Delhi on 28 and 29 March 1996. During her stay in Delhi, she
had discussions with Secretary (West) on Indo-Czech. bilateral
relations.
Western Europe |
Top |
Indo-British relations continued to be characterised by mutual
trust and confidence, reflected in an intensification of high-
level visits, including those of former Prime Minister Baroness
Margaret Thatcher; President of the Board of Trade Michael
Heseltine; Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Sir Christopher
France; the Duke of Kent; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Sir John Coles; Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office Jeremy Hanley; Minister for Overseas Development Baroness
Chalker; Parlimentary Under Secretary for Science and Technology
Ian Taylor; Minister of State for Environment Earl Ferrers;
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Morris; Home
Secretary Michael Howard; Minister for Defence Production
Arbuthnot; and President of the Board of Trade Ian Lang.
From the Indian side, Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab
Mukherjee visited UK in May 1995 for the VE Day celebra-
-71>
tions and in November 1995 to hold bilateral discussions. During
his visit in November, the Minister of External Affairs had
meetings with his counterpart, Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind,
Home Secretary Michael Howard and Defence Secretary Portillo. He
also met leader of the Labour Party Tony Blair, Shadow Labour
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and leader of the Liberal Democrats
Paddy Ashdown.
The visit enabled a discussion on matters of
bilateral, regional and international interest, besides providing
an opportunity to convey to the British leadership and political
opposition India's viewpoint on the Kashmir issue. Minister of
State for External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia also visited the UK
twice, once to attend meetings organised by the ethnic Indian
community and the second time as the representative of the
Congress Party to the Labour Party Conference. Seven State Chief
Ministers also visited the UK mainly for purposes of investment
promotion for their states.
There has been a spurt of economic activity between the two
countries in recent years. A report submitted by the Co-Chairmen
of the Indo-British Partnership Initiative to the two Prime
Ministers in May 1995 has highlighted the fact that bilateral
trade has increased by 50% over the last two years; 350 new
collaborations have been agreed upon; and British investment in
India has increased tenfold since 1992.
In order to cope with the growing interactions with the region, a
new Consulate General was set up in Glasgow which has started
functioning from 3 November 1995.
Indo-German relations have made rapid strides in the last few
years buttressed by a number of high level visits from both sides
and considerable acceleration in the economic ties between the
two countries. Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee
visited Germany from 8 to 11 July 1995 accompanied by an 11-
member business delegation. He held talks with German Foreign
Minister Dr Klaus Kinkel with whom he signed a Bilateral
Investment Protection Agreement. Minister of External Affairs
called on the German President and visited Stuttgart where he met
the Minister-President of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited Germany twice
-72>
in 1995, once in June when he signed a revised Double Taxation
Avoidance Agreement and Financial Cooperation Agreement for 1995
and the second time in December for the 12th session of the Indo-
German Joint Commission meeting. German Minister for Labour and
Social Affairs Norbert Blum visited India from 7 to 13 April 1995
and the Minister of Agriculture Jochen Borchert visited India
from 19 to 23 February 1996.
Relations with France received momentum with the visit of the
Prime Minister to that country from 11 to 14 June 1995. The focus
of discussions was on expansion of bilateral trade and economic
relations; the two sides were in agreement on the need to bring
these on par with the existing excellent political, cultural and
scientific relations. A delegation led by Chairman of the
Committee of Economic Affairs of the French Senate Francois
Poncet visited India from 17 February to 2 March 1996.
The President of Italy Oscar Luigi Scalfaro paid a State visit to
India from 9 to 12 February 1995, the first ever Head of State
level visit from Italy, coinciding with Italy's participation as
"Partner Country" in the India Engineering Trade Fair (IETF)
1995. A Communique on Foreign Office Consultations was signed. As
a follow-up, the Minister of External Affairs paid a visit to
Italy on 24 and 25 November 1995. Bilateral, regional and
international issues of mutual interest were discussed between
the two sides.
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee, accompanied
by an 8-member business delegation, visited Austria from 11 to 13
July 1995. During his stay, Minister of External Affairs called
on the President, the Chancellor and the Speaker of the National
Assembly of Austria. He also held official talks with the Vice
Chancellor and Foreign Minister of Austria Wolfgang Schuessel.
The Austrian Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs Wolfgang
Schallenberg visited India for bilateral discussions. He had
meetings with the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary (West) in
the Ministry of External Affairs. An important exhibition on
classical Indian art was held in Vienna in early 1995, jointly
inaugurated by the Minister of State for Education & Culture Km
Selja and the Vice Chancellor of Austria.
-73>
The Minister of Trade and Tourism of Ireland Enda Kenny visited
India with a group of 25 leading industrialists from 19 to 24
November 1995. This was followed by the visit of Irish Minister
of Defence and Marine Sean Barret from 12 to 20 January 1996.
Relations with Portugal received an impetus with the visits of
the President and the Minister of External Affairs to that
country. During his transit visit, the President met the
President of Portugal. The visit of Minister of External Affairs
was at the invitation of his counterpart Bilateral relations,
India's relations with neighbouring countries and international
issues of mutual interest formed the main subjects of discussion
between the two sides. A Communique on Foreign Office
Consultations was signed between the two sides during the course
of the visit.
Minister for Information & Broadcasting P A Sangma, visited
Portugal on 9 and 10 March 1996 as India's representative to the
investiture ceremony of the new President of Portugal.
A trade and investment mission led by Crown Prince Philippe and
comprising the Minister of Trade of Belgium which visited India
between 26 March and 1 April 1995 in connection with the 8th
meeting of the Indo-Belgian Joint Commission, signed contracts
and initiated agreements which are expected to strengthen Indo-
Belgian relations in the economic and commercial fields.
Relations with Luxembourg received thrust and momentum through
the visit of a high level business delegation led by Crown Prince
Henri, and the Luxembourg Minister of State for External Affairs,
Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation from 14 to 21 May 1995.
The signature of a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding between
the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of
Luxembourg Industrialists and the Chamber of Commerce of
Luxembourg was the highlight of the visit, apart from the several
memoranda signed between Indian and Luxembourg companies. As a
follow up to the visit, the Luxembourg Secretary of State for
External Affairs, Foreign Trade and
-74>
Development Cooperation led a business delegation to India
between 27 and 29 October 1995.
The 10th meeting of the Indo-Swedish Joint Commission was held in
New Delhi on 6 November 1995. The discussions focussed on
bilateral trade and investment.
Prime Minister visited Copenhagen, Denmark from 8 to 11 March
1995 on the occasion of the World Summit for Social Development.
He met the Danish Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of Denmark
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, accompanied by his wife, senior officials
and a business delegation from 39 Danish companies, visited India
from 5 to 15 September 1995. During his visit, a Bilateral
Investment Protection Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding
between the national airlines of the two countries on
establishment of formal air services and on regular bilateral
Foreign Office Consultations were signed.
The Minister of Commerce and Shipping of Norway Grete Knudson
visited India from 5 to 12 January 1996.
A Parliamentary Delegation from Cyprus visited India from 29 May
to 4 June 1995. The Cypriot Minister for Agriculture Costas
Petrides visited India from 27 January to 2 February 1996 at the
invitation of Agriculture Minister.
Trade with the European Union (EU) grew at a very satisfactory
rate. Europe continues to remain a major investment partner of
India and an important source of technology. The 8th round of the
Indo-EU Troika talks were held in Paris on 6 April 1995. Minister
of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the then French
Foreign Minister Alain Juppe (representing the Presidency of the
EU) led their respective delegations. While the agenda
principally covered political subjects, discussions touched on
economic relations as well. Prior to the Indo-EU Troika Meeting,
there was a Foreign Secretary level meeting with Directors
General of Political Affairs of the EU Troika.
The 9th round of the Indo-EU Troika talks was held in New Delhi
on 4 March 1996. Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab
Mukherjee and Foreign Minister of Italy Susanna Agnelli
(representing the Presidency of the EU) led their
-75>
respective delegations. The other Ministers from the EU Troika
were Foreign Minister of Spain Carlos Westendorp and Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs of Ireland Gay Mitchell. The European
Commission was represented by the Vice-President Manuel Marin.
Bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest
were discussed.
A Friends of India Group consisting of 60 MEN has been
constituted in the European Parliament. Michael Hindley, Vice-
Chairman of the Parliament's Committee on External Economic
Relations visited India in March and December 1995. On the
invitation of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, five MEPs belonging
to the South Asia Delegation of the EP led by Philippe Monfils,
visited India from 2 to 8 December 1995. The delegation called on
the President, the Minister of External Affairs, the Home
Minister, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and the Minister
of State for External Affairs.
Vice President of the European Commission Sir Leon Brittan
visited India at the invitation of the Minister of External
Affairs from 22 December 1995 to 2 January 1996.
-76>
|
1995
The Americas/North America |
Top |
Against the backdrop of the new partnership forged between the
two countries when Prime Minister visited the USA in May 1994,
expanding and strengthening relations with the USA remained an
overarching feature of India's policy during 1995-96. The
emphasis was on effective stewardship of relations. This was done
by providing the thrust for rapid forward movement in areas where
both sides saw clear mutual benefit in cooperation, and by taking
care that outstanding differences were effectively managed so
that they did not overshadow the relationship and its promise of
constructive cooperation. The objective was to take full
advantage of opportunities that rapidly opened up over the entire
range of Indo-US relations.
The year was marked by several high level visits reflecting the
growing cooperation between the two countries. These spanned the
entire spectrum of interaction involving eminent private
personalities, people in government, members of the Congress,
business leaders, media and ' cultural figures, economists,
scientists, etc. The visits underscored the multidimensional
nature of the new partnership, and provided continuing depth to
the relationship.
High level consultations on international and bilateral issues
-77>
were held when Minister of External Affairs visited the USA in
May 1995. In addition to the official programme which included
discussions with the US Administration, Senators and Congressmen,
the Minister also had meetings with the editorial boards of
leading US newspapers, addressed think-tanks, and met members of
the Indian-American community. Earlier, in April 1995, Foreign
Secretary level talks were held in Delhi during the visit of US
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Peter Tarnoff.
Defence Secretary visited Washington from 11 to 15 September 1995
for the first meeting of the Defence Policy Group (DPG) and the
Joint Technical Group (JTG). It had been decided to establish
these groups when US Defence Secretary William Perry visited
India in January 1995. The DPG talks covered security issues and
other areas of common interest, including peacekeeping
operations. The JTG discussed cooperation in defence technology.
As part of the on-going interactions, India and the USA also held
a joint naval, exercise, Malabar II, from 10 to 15 May 1995.
The US Congress approved Senator Hank Brown's amendment to the
Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill which provides, inter
alia, for a one time waiver of the Pressler Amendment to enable
the release to Pakistan of $ 368 million worth of advanced US
military equipment embargoed since October 1990. India's serious
concerns in this regard, including the legitimacy that this would
accord to Pakistan's clandestine acquisitions of nuclear weapons
and missiles, has been conveyed clearly to the US Administration
and the Congress.
Differences with the USA remained on the approach to nuclear and
missile non-proliferation issues. Differences also continued on
the question of Pakistan's continued sponsorship of terrorism in
India through the supply of arms, equipment, training and
infiltration. The USA continued to maintain that available
evidence did not warrant a finding under US law that Pakistan had
repeatedly provided support for acts. of international terrorism.
The US Department of State Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism,
Philip Wilcox led a US delegation of counter-terrorism experts to
India from 19 to 21 October 1995. The potential for greater
-78>
counter- terrorism cooperation between the two. countries was
discussed during the visit.
Expansion of trade and investment continued apace. In 1994 the
bilateral trade turnover rose to around Rs 24,000 crores with
Indian exports reaching Rs 16,700 crores. Approved investments
from the USA for the period January-September 1995 amounted to Rs
3,347 crores as against Rs 1,430 crores during the same period in
1994 and Rs 3,488 crores during the whole of 1994.
US Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin visited India from 17 to 21
April 1995. The US-India Commercial Alliance (USICA) which was
launched in January 1995 held its first Board meeting during the
visit of Minister of State for Commerce to the USA in June 1995.
The Indo-US Sub-Commission on Economy and Commerce was
reactivated during the visit of US Under Secretary of State for
Economic & Agricultural Affairs Joan Spero in April 1995 '. It
was decided to set up three Working Groups-on Trade and Commerce,
on Finance and Investment, and a Joint Private Sector Working
Group. US Under Secretary for Global Affairs Timothy Wirth
visited India in April 1995 to sign a Common Agenda for bilateral
cooperation on environmental issues.
Business delegations were also led to India by the Governors of
Massachusetts (William Weld, 16-23 February 1995) and of Nebraska
(Benjamin Nelson, 12-16 November 1995). A Minnesota trade
delegation visited India from 5 to 9 December 1995. Three rounds
of Indo-US Civil Aviation Talks held between September and
December 1995 led to the conclusion of mutually satisfactory
civil aviation. Arrangements. An increase in the density of air
services and convenient connections are envisaged as a result of
the arrangements agreed to.
Differences, however, remained on issues such as intellectual
property rights, market access, etc. Developments relating to
ENRON (Dabhol project) and Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets caused
some apprehension among US investors, but were eased with the
moves towards resolution of these issues.
The Indo-US Sub-Commission on Education and Culture met in New
York on 19 and 20 April 1995. The Indo-US JWG on
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Narcotics held its sixth meeting on 12 and 13 September 1995 in
Washington. Both sides recognised that illegal trafficking in
narcotics continued to be a serious international problem and
pledged to continue to attack it at all levels, including
production, trafficking and drug abuse.
The year also witnessed greater interaction with US Congressmen
and Senators. The visits included those of Senators Hank Brown
and Arlen Specter (25-27 August 1995), Congressmen Charlie Rose
(23-30 April 1995), Robert Borski (14-21 August 1995), Maurice
Hinchey (21-27 August 1995), Gary Ackerman (11-16 January 1996),
Howard Berman (13-22 January 1996), and a group of Senate
Staffers (27 August-3 September 1995). Speaker, Lok Sabha also
visited New York together with a delegation of Members of
Parliament for the Special Session of the Inter-Parliamentary
Council in August-September 1995. Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha
delivered lectures to summer students at Harvard University and
other US institutions in June-July 1995.
Other eminent US personalities who visited India during 1995
included the First Lady Hillary Clinton (28-31 March 1995),
former US President George Bush (27-30 November 1995), former US
Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger (19-24 March and 1-4
November 1995), and former US Congressman Stephen Solarz (15-18
March 1995 and 31 October-8 November 1995).
India's policy objective in 1995-96 with regard to Canada was to
realise the full potential of bilateral cooperation and thereby
to deepen and broaden Indo-Canadian relations. It was recognised
that as two parliamentary democracies with similar forms of
government, shared values and ideals, and economies with
considerable complementarities, the opportunities for cooperation
were considerable, especially in the context of India's economic
liberalisation and the end of the Cold War. There has, at the
same time, been a significant increase of Canadian interest in
India in the last few years, particularly as a trade and
investment partner.
Secretary of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Raymond Chan visited India in March
-80>
1995 with a 35-member business delegation. Ministers in the
Provincial Government of British Columbia Moe Sihota and Ujjal
Dosanjh who had visited India in January-February 1995 paid a
second visit to India in November 1995 once again accompanied by
a large business delegation. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Gordon Smith visited India in November 1995 for bilateral
consultations preparatory to the Canadian Prime Minister's visit
to India in January 1996.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien visited India from 9 to 14
January 1996. He was accompanied by a "Team Canada" which, apart
from 2 Federal Ministers, included Provincial Premiers, a large
official delegation and over 250 businessmen. Apart from Delhi,
Chretien visited Bombay and Agra. In a Joint Statement issued at
the end of the visit, the Prime Ministers of India and Canada
expressed determination to provide a strong impetus for
establishing close and broad based cooperation between the two
countries. Commercial deals amounting to Rs 339 crores (C$3.39
billion) were finalised during this visit. A Double Taxation
Avoidance Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation
in the fields of Telecommunications, Surface Transport and Heavy
Oil Industry were also concluded during the visit. In Bombay, the
Canadian Prime Minister addressed the CII Partnership Summit
while in Delhi he addressed a Special Session of the Indo-Canada
Joint Business Council.
From the Indian side, visits to Canada during the year included
those of Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Captain
Satish Sharma (June 1995), the then Minister of Agriculture Dr
Balram Jakhar (October 1995) and Speaker, Lok Sabha Shri Shivraj
Patil accompanied by Minister of State for Chemical & Fertilizers
Shri Eduardo Faleiro and five Members of Parliament (September
1995).
Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Maxwell Yalden visited India in February 1995. The Chairman of
the National Human Rights Commission, Justice R Mishra visited
Canada in November 1995. Discussions on cooperation between the
two Commissions were held during Justice Mishra's visit.
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|
In the period January-September 1995 Canada was the 5th largest
investor country in India with an investment of Rs 398 crores.
Bilateral trade from January to August 1995 amounted to Rs 1633
crores-an increase of 43 per cent over the same period in 1994.
The number of Canadian corporate offices in New Delhi increased
from 7 in 1993 to 40 in 1995. A Canadian Foreign office study on
the potential for Canadian business in India entitled "Focus
India" was released by the Canadian Minister of International
Trade Roy MacLaren in June 1995. The study identified energy,
telecommunications environmental products and services as the
priority sectors of Canadian interest in India.
The 8th Meeting of the Indo-Canada Joint Business Council (JBC)
was held in Canada in June 1995. Apart from Toronto the
delegation visited Montreal and Ottawa. The 9th meeting of the
JBC was inaugurated by the Canadian Prime Minister in New Delhi
in January 1996.
The Instruments of Ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance
Treaty which was signed in October 1994 were exchanged in October
1995 thus bringing into effect the provisions of the Treaty.
India and Canada have continued to cooperate on the fight against
terrorism which has led to some checks on the activities of
militant elements of Indian origin in Canada. The Canadian
Government has been urged to exercise greater control under their
laws on anti-Indian and the communally provocative propaganda in
the ethnic electronic and print media. |
Central and South America and the Caribbeans |
Top |
India maintains very good relations with all the" countries in
the Central and South American and the Caribbean region. Indo-
Latin American relations received a boost in 1995 because of four
VVIP visits to countries in the region and contacts at various
levels in India, in the region and at the United Nations.
President visited Trinidad & Tobago and Chile and Prime Minister
visited Colombia and Argentina.
India has Missions in 13 countries in the region while 10
countries from the region have Missions in India. India has a
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number of honorary consuls in the region and many countries of
the region have honorary consuls in India.
Presidential and General Elections were held in Argentina,
Uruguay, Peru, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago and power
transferred smoothly. Most of the countries in the region have
embarked upon successful market liberalisation in many priority
sectors which has helped reduce deficits and inflation. Overall
growth in countries in the region has been remarkable.
Dr Carlos Saul Menem was re-elected as President of Argentina in
May 1995. Prime Minister led a, high level delegation which
included Minister of External Affairs, Minister of State in Prime
Minister's Office and senior officers of the Government to
participate in the G-15 Summit held in Buenos Aires from 5 to 7
November. Prime Minister also addressed the conference of the
Heads of Indian Missions in the region. A high level business
delegation from CII, FICCI, FIEO also accompanied the Prime
Minister to Buenos Aires. CII has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Union Industrial Argentina (UAI) to promote
industrial, technological and investment cooperation by both the
countries.
Brazilian Minister for Science & Technology Dr Jose Israel Vargas
visited India from 5 to 8 December 1995 in connection with the
visit of the Brazilian President in January 1996 and held
bilateral 'discussions with Minister of State (Science &
Technology).
President of Brazil Dr Fernando Henrique Cardoso accompanied by
the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Science &
Technology, visited India from 24 to 27 January 1996. President
Cardoso was the Guest of Honour at the Republic Day celebrations.
President Cardoso met the President, the Vice President and the
Prime Minister. Both countries expressed their desire to
strengthen bilateral relations and add substance to existing ties
as well as to cooperation on global issues. A Joint Indo-
Brazilian Declaration was issued and a Joint Agenda for
Scientific and Technological Cooperation, the terms for the
formation of an Indo-Brazil Commercial Council, and a Common
Agenda on Environment were signed. It was also decided to set up
a Bilateral Joint Commission.
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|
The then Minister of Railways Shri C K Jaffer Sharief visited
Brazil to attend inauguration ceremony of newly elected President
Fernando Henrique Cardoso who assumed charge of office on I
January. The then Minister of Agriculture Dr Balram Jakhar
visited Brazil from 28 to 30 August and a Memorandum of
Understanding was signed between Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
(EMBARAPA) in the field of agricultural research. Minister of
Food Shri Ajit Singh visited Brazil in September 1995. Brazilian
Vice Minister of External Affairs Sebastiao de Rego Barros
visited India on 14 and 15 November and held successful bilateral
discussions to prepare for the Brazilian President's visit in
January 1996. EXIM Bank of India has identified Brazil as a new
market with high potential for Indian dye-stuff and chemicals
exports. Confederation of Indian Industry (CID and Confederation
of National Industries (CNI) of Brazil signed a Memorandum of
Understanding in Buenos Aires during the Fifth G-15 Summit in
November 1995. It has been decided to open a Consulate General in
Sao Paulo.
President Shanker Dayal Sharma paid a state visit to Chile in
June 1995 with a high level delegation including Minister of
State for External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid, Members of
Parliament and other dignitaries. During the visit a Memorandum
of Understanding on bilateral consultations at Foreign Office
level was signed by Minister of State for External Affairs and
the Chilean Foreign Minister. Chilean Minister of Labour attended
NAM's Labour Ministers' Conference held in Delhi in January 1995.
The then Minister of Agriculture Dr Balram Jakhar paid an
official visit to Cuba in August 1995 to review the Work Plan
with his counterpart in the field of agriculture. A two-member
Cuban delegation led by Jorge Risquest attended CPI(M) Party
Congress held in Chandigarh in April 1995. President of
International Relations Committee of National Assembly of Cuba
Jorge Lezeano Perez led a three-member Cuban Parliamentary
delegation on an official visit from 8 to 14 September 1995. The
delegation called on President, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Vice
President and Minister of External
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Affairs. The delegation addressed a meeting of FICCI. An
agreement on Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) was signed between
India and Cuba during the visit of Secretary (West) to Cuba in
September 1995. A Government Senior Secondary School in New Delhi
was renamed after the Cuban national hero Jose Marti in October
1995.
Colombian Minister for External Relations Rodrigo Pardo Garcia-
Pena visited India during 20-23 April and held successful
discussions on bilateral and international issues. India and
Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on annual
bilateral consultations at Foreign Office level. Minister of Food
Shri Ajit Singh led a high level delegation to Colombia from 12
to 16 September 1995 to attend the International Conference of
Sugarcane Technologists at Cali.
Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao paid an official visit to
Cartagena (Colombia) and led a high level delegation which
included Minister of External Affairs, Minister of State in Prime
Minister's Office and senior officers from Ministry of External
Affairs to attend the XIIth NAM Summit from 16 to 20 October
1995.
A 120-CRPF-men contingent has gone to Haiti (March-December 1995)
as a part of a UN Mission to establish law and order under the
operational command of UN forces.
Diplomatic relations at the level of non-resident Ambassadors
were established with Honduras in March 1995.
The then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Sharad Pawar visited
Mexico in early 1995. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 1995 with Banco
Nacional de Comercio Exterior providing for systematic exchange
of information on market, trade conditions, facilitation of
private investment, trade missions and cooperation.
Minister for External Relations of Nicaragua Dr Ernesto Leal
Sanchez paid an official visit to India from 18 to 22 April and
held successful discussions on bilateral and international
issues.
-85>
The third meeting of the Indo-Mexican Joint Commission held on 19
and 20 February at Mexico City identified a number of areas for
enhancing cooperation in the fields of Economy & Commerce,
Science & Technology and Culture & Education. A Memorandum of
Understanding on Cooperation in Telecommunication and a
Memorandum of Understanding between CII and its counterpart
CONCAMIN was also signed during the meeting.
In Peru, Presidential elections were held in April 1995.
President Alberto Fujimori was re-elected President for the
second term. He assumed charge in July 1995. A Cultural Exchange
Programme with Peru for 1996-98 was signed in New Delhi on 20
March 1996.
In Uruguay, Presidential elections were held in February 1995. Dr
Julio Maria Sanguinetti was sworn in as 42nd President on 1 March
1995.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Captain Satish
Sharma paid a visit to Venezuela in September 1995 to participate
in the Fourth International Energy Conference and also held
successful discussions with the Venezuelan Minister for Energy
and Mines. Commonwealth of Dominica closed its High Commission in
New Delhi with the departure of the High Commissioner in July
1995.
President Dr Shanker Dayal Sharma paid a three-day state visit
from 29 May to Trinidad & Tobago. The high level delegation
included Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Salman
Khurshid, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries. The
President and his delegation participated in the colourful
celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Arrival of Indians in
Trinidad & Tobago.
General elections were held in Trinidad & Tobago in November
1995. A leader of Indian origin Basdeo Panday became the Prime
Minister at the head of a coalition Government. This was the
first time that a person of Indian origin has become Prime
Minister of Trinidad & Tobago.
India took definitive steps to develop dialogue and interaction
with regional groupings in the region. Minister of External
-86
Affairs had the first-ever TROIKA-level discussions with the Rio
Group Foreign Ministers in New York on 29 September 1995 during
the UNGA. He also met the Foreign Ministers of the Central
American countries in New York on 28 September 1995. Secretary
(West) met the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean
States in Port of Spain on 26 February 1996.
A one-day Latin American and Caribbean "Business Mela", sponsored
by the Minister of Commerce and organised by ITPO with the
support of Chambers of Commerce & Industries, was held in Delhi
in December 1995. This was inaugurated by Minister of State for
Commerce.
A seminar on Emerging Business Opportunities with Latin America
was organised by FICCI, FIEO and CII in October 1995. The seminar
was also attended by the Heads of Missions from the region and
Senior Officers from the Ministry. A FICCI delegation visited
Brazil, Cuba and Colombia in November 1995 and a CII delegation
visited Argentina for the G-15 Business forum in November 1995.
The Third International Conference on Hispanic and Ibero-American
Studies was organised in Delhi by the Centre of Spanish Studies
of Jawaharlal Nehru University in cooperation with the Indian
Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the India International
Centre (IIC).
-87>
|
1995
United Nations and International Organisations |
Top |
The process of restructuring and reforming the UN, both in
terms of institutions and concepts, continued with great vigour
during its 50th anniversary year. India's efforts were focussed
on influencing the debate and changes in accordance with her
world view and her perceptions of the role of the UN. This
involved painstaking negotiations in the various Working Groups
set up by the General Assembly on UN Reforms. Recognising the
imperatives of change, India endorsed new and emerging trends
that do not alter the basic premise on which UN was founded.
India also sought to ensure that the Agenda of Development is not
altered to the detriment of the developing countries and that the
significance of international cooperation on transfer of
resources is not lost sight of in the emphasis on national
strategies.
India was successful in generating international opinion in
favour of a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and
actively participated in the deliberations of the Open-Ended
Working Group. Against the backdrop of the indefinite extension
of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, India continued to
highlight the importance of nuclear disarmament and the need for
elimination of all nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework.
The resolution on measures to eliminate
-88>
international terrorism was adopted by the Sixth Committee by
consensus. India continued her active participation in UN Peace
Keeping Operations across the globe. Constructive contribution
was made by India in the series of major conferences held during
the year, namely, the World Summit for Social Development,
Copenhagen, the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, the XI
NAM Summit, Cartagena, and the Special Commemorative Meeting for
UN's 50th Anniversary, New York.
India commemorated the 50th anniversary of the UN with a series
of well-attended events, including the release of commemorative
stamps and coins. The Indian National Committee supported a
series of events including seminars and publication of books to
bring the message of the UN to the people and trace India's
consistent support for and active participation in the UN.
Special Commemorative Meeting of Heads of State/Government on
the occasion of UN's 50th Anniversary
The year-long activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the
founding of the UN and the entry into force of its Charter
culminated at the Special Commemorative Meeting (SCM) of Heads of
State/Government in New York from 22 to 24 October 1995. The SCM
was a demonstration by the international community that it
continues to see the UN as a multilateral inter-Governmental
institution which has a concrete role to play in the evolving
structure of international relations.
India was represented by a high-level delegation led by Prime
Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao. The SCM provided opportunity for
reflection and introspection on the achievements of the UN and
its future role in the next century. Addressing the SCM, Prime
Minister articulated a vision for the future of the UN, a vision
that would enhance its relevance particularly for developing
countries. Prime Minister stated that if the relevance of the UN
was to continue, it would need to address root causes of the
problems that afflict mankind. These included the issues of
nuclear disarmament, poverty and underdevelopment, international
terrorism, fundamentalist trends based on intolerance and
-89>
exclusivism. He urged the international community to take urgent
steps to eliminate all nuclear weapons within a stipulated
timeframe. Condemning international terrorism, he said that when
terrorism was sponsored and supported by States, it constituted
another means of waging war and urged the international community
to combat this menace since it threatened the very basis of
peaceful societies. He also highlighted the crying need of a vast
majority of nations for all-round development and the need for
adequate presence of developing countries on the Security Council
since , it was imperative that all nations felt that their stakes
in global peace and prosperity were factored into UN decision
making.
Approximately, 142 Heads of State or Government addressed the
SCM. A solemn Declaration was adopted by the SCM. India played an
active role in the drafting of the Declaration and evolving a
consensus on the many key issues including the concerns of
developing countries. The Declaration inter alia:
recommits the UN to the greater service of humankind,
particularly those who are suffering and deeply deprived;
extends support to UN, regional and national efforts on arms
control, limitation, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear
weapons, including biological and chemical weapons, etc; and
calls upon the international community to act together to defeat
threats to States and people posed by international terrorism in
all its forms.
On Development issues, the Declaration recognises the important
role that the UN can play in promoting economic and social
development. It recognises the growing disparities between
developed and developing countries and the need for extraordinary
measures, including international cooperation to tackle the
problems of poverty. |
1995
Political Issues
|
Top |
India continued to actively participate in UN. peace-keeping
operations. India contributed one battalion troops to the UN
Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM). The contingent was
-90>
despatched in July 1995. An infantry battalion consisting of 800
troops and a Movement Control Unit, 22 military observers and 9
staff officers were also provided by India to UN Assistance
Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR). India had provided one CRPF company
to the UN Assistance Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), Phase II. In
addition, India provided five military observers to UN Observer
Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) and seven military observers to the
UN Iraq Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM). India has agreed to
contribute up to one brigade troops to UN Standby Force.
India also contributed actively to the debate and decisions of
the Special Committee on peace-keeping operations and the NAM
Working Group on peace-keeping. A major outcome this year was the
introduction of a section containing guiding principles for
peace-keeping.
Some developed countries focussed on strengthening of Department
of peace-keeping operations and in particular the capacity for
rapid response. A number of proposals advocated a more
interventionist approach by the UN. India and like-minded
countries were opposed to any interventionist approach but
accepted the creation of a rapidly deployable headquarters
capability. India and NAM called for careful consideration of the
UNSG's proposal for a UN standing army in view of their political
and legal implications.
The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) of the UN General Assembly on
the question of "equitable representation on an increase in the
membership of the Security Council" continued its deliberation in
1995. The OEWG has been mandated to continue its work and submit
"any agreed recommendations" before the end of the 50th GA in
September 1996. Important differences continue to exist on key
issues, which require further in-depth consideration.
India has consistently called for the expansion of both the
permanent and non-permanent categories of membership on the basis
of objective criteria for selecting permanent members. These
criteria include population, size of economy, contribution to the
maintenance of international peace and security and future
potential. During his statement in the general
-91>
debate in the 50th UNGA, the Minister of External Affairs Shri
Pranab Mukherjee restated India's claim for permanent seat of the
Security Council. India's position was further reiterated in
Prime Minister's address both at the XI NAM Summit in Cartagena
and the. Special Commemorative meeting of the UN.
Bhutan, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Mauritius have declared
support for India's candidature for permanent membership of the
Security Council. A large number of other countries have
supported a broad-based expansion of the Security Council which
would include developing countries in the permanent members
category. The Non-Aligned Movement at its XI Summit endorsed
increased representation of nonaligned countries in the Security
Council.
On the broader issue of reform and re-structuring of the UN, an
Open-Ended High Level Group of the GA on the Strengthening of the
UN System was established at the 50th session of the UNGA. India
is Co-Chairman along with New Zealand. The Group's report is
expected to be submitted by the end of the 50th session of the
GA. India also participated actively in the other working groups
dealing with the financial situation, agenda for development,
etc. India supports efforts to ensure strengthening and re-
vitalisation of the GA and the ECOSOC to reorient the focus of UN
towards development.
India effectively countered Pakistan's attempts, including
through the OIC, to keep alive the issue of self-determination on
Kashmir as also the non-implementation by India of Security
Council resolutions on Kashmir. Apart'. from setting the record
straight, a sustained and systematic effort was maintained to
ensure that Pakistan's baseless allegations and ulterior
objectives were defeated.
Resolution on "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism" was
adopted by consensus at 50th UNGA reflecting the growing
international realisation of the dangers of terrorism. The
Resolution reaffirmed the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate
International Terrorism, and urged all States to implement
effectively and in good faith its provisions in all its
-92>
aspects. It also urged all States to strengthen cooperation to
ensure that those who participate in terrorist activities find no
safe haven anywhere.
Disarmament and International Security
|
Top |
India continued to play a leading role in various multilateral
disarmament fora-the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva,
the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) and the First Committee of
the UNGA. However, the indefinite extension of the NPT in May
1995 by states parties without securing any binding commitment
from the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) on nuclear disarmament and
the continued nuclear testing by some Nuclear Weapon States in
face of international criticism cast a shadow on any serious
attempts to move towards the complete elimination of nuclear
weapons. In keeping with her long-standing approach to nuclear
disarmament as the first step towards general and complete
disarmament, India was actively associated with global measures
which would be essential for the elimination of nuclear weapons
in a time bound manner. Progress was achieved to some extent in
the area of a comprehensive test ban and a freeze in the
production of fissile material for weapons.
In 1995, negotiations continued at the ad hoc Committee. of the
CD on Nuclear Test Ban (NTB) established in January 1994 with a
full negotiating mandate to conclude a Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty (CTBT). A second draft "rolling text" of the CTBT was
circulated in July 1995. India proposed a draft article on the
scope of the treaty which would preclude any kind of nuclear
testing activity. India made a statement at the CD on 25 January
1996 which contained the following points: (i) In order to be
meaningful the CTBT should be securely anchored in the global
disarmament context and be linked through treaty language to the
elimination of all nuclear weapons in a time bound framework;
(ii) The CTBT must not leave any loophole for activity, either
explosive based or non-explosive based, aimed at the continued
development and refinement of nuclear weapons. India tabled
amendments to the text of the treaty at the Ad hoc Committee on
26 January 1996.
-93>
China continued its nuclear testing programme. The first Chinese
test of 1995 was conducted three days after the indefinite
extension of the NPT. Following an announcement on 13 June 1995,
France resumed nuclear testing in the South Pacific in September
1995. The G-21 (which includes India) issued a statement
condemning these developments. In a statement issued on 15
September, India expressed dismay over the recent nuclear tests
and urged all countries to refrain from activities contrary to
the objectives of the CTBT while the latter was being negotiated.
In August, both France and the US expressed their commitment to a
"zero test" ban. Subsequently, the UK also supported this
position.
On 11 May 1995, the states parties to the NPT adopted a decision
to indefinitely extend the treaty. Despite the efforts of several
non-nuclear weapon states, no binding commitment could be secured
from the NWS on a phased programme of nuclear disarmament within
a stipulated timeframe. During the NPT Review and Extension
Conference, the states parties decided to give priority to the
universalisation of the treaty and specifically called on India,
Israel and Pakistan to join the treaty. India categorically
stated on 12 May that the decision taken to indefinitely extend
the treaty did not in any way change her position on the NPT
which enjoyed national consensus. India will not sign the NPT in
its present form. She will continue to work for achieving genuine
non-proliferation through the elimination of all nuclear weapons.
These developments have made it necessary for India to emphasise
in all relevant multilateral fora that her support for CTBT and
FMCT is based on the belief that they are not merely instruments
for dealing with the risk "of horizontal non-proliferation but
are an integral part of a step-by-step approach towards global
nuclear disarmament. It is, therefore, essential that such
measures be placed squarely within a framework of disarmament
process and contain binding commitments on the part of the
international community, especially the Nuclear Weapons States to
take further measures within an agreed timeframe to move towards
the creation of India's shared goal of a Nuclear Weapon free
world. This year, India could not co-sponsor the CTBT resolution
-94>
in the UN General Assembly because Indian amendments linking the
CTBT with global nuclear disarmament in a time bound framework
did not find acceptance. However, India did not stand in the way
of consensus.
Further to the 1993 UN consensus resolution co-sponsored by India
which called for negotiations on a Convention on the Prohibition
of the Production of Fissionable Material for Weapons Purposes, a
Special Coordinator was set up at the Conference on Disarmament
in 1994. In March 1995, an ad hoc Committee was established which
has not yet started functioning. While the mandate of the ad hoc
Committee has not been spelt out, it is based on the compromise
report of the Special Coordinator which, while basing it on the
1993 resolution, does not preclude the raising of any other
issue. For the second year in succession no resolution could be
adopted in the UNGA due to differences on the draft text of the
resolution.
A group of countries including India, Myanmar, Mexico, Egypt,
Colombia and Pakistan co-sponsored a resolution in the First
Committee, which, inter alia, calls on the Conference on
Disarmament to establish on a priority basis an ad hoc committee
on nuclear disarmament to commence negotiations in early 1996 on
a phased programme of nuclear disarmament and for the eventual
elimination of nuclear weapons within a time bound framework. The
resolution was adopted in the first committee by 99 votes in
favour, 39 against and 15 abstentions. This resolution was
basically the outcome of an Indian initiative calling for global
nuclear disarmament in a time bound framework which was strongly
endorsed at the recently concluded XI NAM Summit at Cartagena.
India also tabled her resolution on the subject of a Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use and Threat of Use of Nuclear
Weapons. The first committee of the UN adopted it with 95 votes
in favour, 23 against and 31 abstentions. The voting pattern
revealed that some of the Nuclear Weapons States and their allies
continue to oppose the resolution. India's resolution on
Scientific and Technological Developments and Their Impact on
International Security was adopted by the First Committee with 98
votes in favour, 6 against and 51 abstentions.
-95>
India continued efforts at the UNGA for the convening of a Fourth
Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament
(SSOD-IV), initiated a year ago as a NAM resolution.
India continued to be actively involved in the working of the ad
hoc group of states parties to the Biological Weapons Convention
to consider verification measures under the BWC. Three sessions
of the ad hoc group were held in 1995.
The Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on
Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional
Weapons Which May Be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to
Have Indiscriminate Effects (Inhumane Weapons Convention) was
held at Vienna from 25 September to 13 October 1995. India is a
state party to the Convention. The major issues related to
Protocol II of the Convention which deals with restrictions on
indiscriminate use of land mines. India expressed the view that
in view of the large scale suffering of civilians by such
weapons, states parties should take necessary measures to end
indiscriminate use of land mines and their export. The Conference
was unable to reach any conclusions and it was decided to hold
two more sessions in 1996.
India continued her principled opposition to ad hoc export
control regimes such as the Australia Group, Nuclear Suppliers
Group (NSG) and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in
various international fora and called for their conversion into
universal, transparent, non-discriminatory treaties which clearly
distinguish between civilian and military applications.
India's views on the Australia Group have been articulated time
and again at the Preparatory Commission of the Organisation for
the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) which meets in plenary
sessions and expert level meetings at The Hague. India, which
became an original signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC) in January 1993 is fully involved in the activities of the
three of the Expert Groups of the PREPCOM. Besides technical
experts from concerned departments regularly participating in the
inter-sessional
-96>
meetings, India has completed all internal procedures towards
ratification and is committed to be one of the first 65 States to
ratify the CWC.
Economic, Social and Humanitarian Issues
|
Top |
The World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen
from 10 to 12 March 1995. Prime Minister led a high 'level Indian
delegation to the Summit which was attended by over 118 Heads of
State or Government. The Summit adopted the Copenhagen
Declaration and the Programme of Action. The Declaration commits
the international community to ten commitments undertaken for the
common pursuit of social development, aimed at social justice,
solidarity, harmony, and equality within and among countries. As
a developing country devoted to social uplift, India was
gratified to see the international community focussing its
energies on the crucial issues of poverty eradication, employment
generation and social development. India played a catalytic role
in forging a global consensus on a range of development issues at
this Summit and is continuing to work actively in UN and other
fora to ensure that the painstakingly negotiated commitments are
implemented through effective follow-up action.
The Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, China
from 1 to 15 September 1995. This was preceded by the NAM
Ministerial Meeting on Women on Development (2-3 September 1995)
and Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting (3 September 1995). A series
of ancillary meetings including an IPU Conference and an NGO
forum were also organised around this Conference. A high level
Indian delegation comprising Members of Parliament, Members of
Legislative Assemblies, senior' officials and women activists led
by the then Minister for Human Resource Development Shri
Madhavrao Scindia participated in the Conference. Over 500 Indian
NGOs made their presence felt at the NGO forum, while over 100
NGOs were accredited to the Conference itself
The Beijing Conference adopted a Declaration ' and Platform of
Action. India played a catalytic role in the Conference, ensuring
that the concerns of the majority of women who reside in
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developing countries were addressed, particularly on poverty
eradication, health care and education. India was instrumental in
securing the categorical commitment to new additional financial
resources and above all in ensuring that human rights of women,
particularly the right to equality, are guaranteed without any
qualifications. India particularly highlighted the special needs
of the girl child which are often lost sight of in the larger
picture of development of women.
India continued to play an active role in the Economic and Social
Council, the Second Committee of the UN, the Governing Boards of
the specialised agencies and various international meetings on
social and environmental issues. India sought to ensure that
development issues remained high on the agenda of UN. Following
the establishment of WTO, India's efforts were directed towards
promoting an open, fair and equitable international environment
conducive to sustained economic growth.
In all these fora, India's attempt was to project the concerns of
developing countries, to highlight the importance of attaching
priority to the eradication of poverty, to stress the need for
new and additional resources to be made available to developing
countries to meet their sustainable development requirements, to
project their needs and concerns in the areas of finance, trade,
technology flows, debt, etc. .
India also participated in the discussions in the Group of 77, in
the ECOSOC and GA regarding the elements that should constitute a
new Agenda for Development. This is currently being discussed in
the UN and would be negotiated in a working group of the GA next
year to define the framework in the coming years of the role of
UN and parameters of international cooperation in development.
Currently, discussions are going on in the UN regarding an
effective follow up to the series of UN conferences held over the
past five years. India is working with the Group of 77 to ensure
that the UN is involved in this process in a coordinated manner,
that the question of resources, particularly international
resources, gets adequate attention and that national plans and
priorities of developing countries are the basis.
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Discussions are also going on regarding reform of the UN in the
economic and social sectors, in particular of ECOSOC and its
subsidiary machinery. India supports the streamlining and a more
efficient operation of the UN. However, the objective has to be
to strengthen it to promote the cause of development and the
interests of developing countries rather than approaching reform
purely as a budget reduction exercise. India has worked along
these lines with the G-77.
India actively participated in various conferences and
discussions on environment issues aimed at the implementation of
the agreements reached at UNCED and Agenda 21. The specific areas
of activities are given below:
(i) The third session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD) including the High-Level Segment was held in
New York during 11 to 28 April 1995. The Session reviewed in
detail the follow-up at national and global levels of chapters
10-16 of Agenda 21 relating to land and land use, forests,
agriculture, deforestation, mountain development and bio-
diversity. In addition, the cross sectoral themes of financial
resources, transfer of technologies, changing consumption
patterns were also discussed. The Commission established an
Inter-Governmental Panel on Forests. Secretary, Environment &
Forests Shri N R Krishnan was appointed as Co-Chair of the
Forestry Panel. The CSD highlighted the question of financial
support for national efforts in developing countries and
countries with economies in transition. It expressed concern at
the inadequate availability of new and additional resources which
would constrain effective implementation of Agenda 21 and
undermine the process of global partnership for sustainable
development. It was felt that unless there was an increase in ODA
levels and an improvement in the international economic climate,
it would be difficult to translate the Rio commitment into
action.
The CSD has proved to be a catalyst for policy action for
numerous areas. It has motivated numerous government meetings and
workshops related to the implementation of Agenda 21, fostered
coordination on sustainable develop-
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ment within the UN system and helped to defuse much of the
resistance to NGO and major group activities and action aimed at
sustainable development at the international, national and local
levels.
(ii) As a follow up of the meeting of the first Conference of
Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change held in
March 1995 in Berlin, the ad hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate met
in August and in October, 1995 in order to commence the process
of strengthening the commitments of the developed countries.
Progress was achieved in narrowing down the range of issues which
had to be identified in order to set new quantified emission
targets for the developed countries by 1997.
(iii) The XII meeting of the Open Ended Working Group of the
Montreal Protocol was held in Geneva in August/September 1995.
India was active in projecting her interests especially on issues
concerning the inadequacy of funding for the multilateral fund,
transfer of technology, phasing out of certain ODS's and the
definition of the term "basic domestic need" in the Protocol.
(iv) The 7th session of the Inter Governmental Negotiating
Committee for Desertification UNCD) was held in Nairobi on 7 and
8 August 1995. Among the issues discussed were the global nature
of the Convention including the needs of Asia, the modalities of
the financial mechanism and the replenishment of the Special
Voluntary Fund for participation of developing countries.
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(v) India participated in the second meeting of the Conference of
Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in
Jakarta, Indonesia during 6-17 November 1995. The Agenda included
item on technology transfer, protocol on biosafety, access to
genetic resources, intellectual property rights (IPRs) relating
to use of biological resources and the Rules of Procedure. the
COP decided in favour of Montreal, Canada as the location for the
permanent Secretariat of the Convention. Two other important
decisions related to establishing a Clearing House Mechanism
(CHM) in the secretariat for exchange
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of information and expertise and continuation of global
environment facility (GEF) as the interim institutional financial
mechanism for the convention. The COP also decided to establish
an open-ended ad hoc working group to develop a Protocol on
Biosafety under the Convention. India along with most of the
developing countries had argued in favour of such a protocol
right from the beginning.
(vi) The UN Conference on Conservation and Management of
Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory, Fish Stocks
concluded its deliberations and the Final Act of the Agreement
was opened for signature in New York during the 50th UNGA. As a
coastal State, India had participated actively in the Conference
and has signed the Final Act.
Human Rights
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India continued to participate constructively in deliberations on
human rights issues in UN fora in keeping with her commitment to
promotion and protection of human rights at home and abroad.
During the year, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Jose
Ayala Lasso visited India at the invitation of the Government of
India. Apart from discussions in Delhi, he visited Jammu &
Kashmir and Punjab. The UNHCHR expressed his appreciation for
India's policy of transparency in promotion and protection of
human rights.
The 51st Session of the Commission on Human Rights was held from
31 January to 11 March 1995. The Indian delegation was led by the
Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad. Finance
Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also addressed the Commission. As in
previous years, this Session also saw a concerted and sustained
campaign by Pakistan to attack India on human rights issues
through statements of the Pak delegation and Pak-backed NGOs. The
main objective of Pakistan in raising human rights violations in
Jammu & Kashmir was to draw maximum international attention to
its allegations and thereby to continue its campaign of
internationalising the Jammu & Kashmir issue. Throughout the
course of the Session, the Indian delegation effectively
countered Pakistan's offensive through statements, rebuttals
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of Pak Government and NGO-backed propaganda, and lobbying with
other Government delegations.
India played a major role in the discussions and deliberations of
this Session of the Commission on various human rights issues
including those relating to administration of justice,
minorities, indigenous people, women and the impact of terror '
ism on human rights. The Commission adopted a resolution titled
"Human Rights and Terrorism" which described terrorism as
aggression aimed at the destruction of, human rights, fundamental
freedoms and democracy,, threatening territorial integrity and
security of States, destabilising legitimately constituted
Governments, undermining pluralistic civil society and having
adverse consequences on the economic and social development of
States.
The 47th Session of Sub-Commission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities met in Geneva from 31
July to 25 August 1995. This is an expert body which deliberates
on the range of human rights issues. The Sub-Commission, inter
alia, discussed thematic issues relating to minorities,
administration of justice, economic and cultural rights,
abolition of contemporary forms of slavery, indigenous people and
the effects of terrorism on human rights. A Chairman's text
condemning the practice of Hostage Taking (by Al Faran in Jammu &
Kashmir) was adopted by the Sub-Commission.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government
of India and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)
granting access to ICRC to all persons arrested and detained in
connection with prevailing situation in Jammu & Kashmir. The
Memorandum of Understanding lays down the procedures for these
visits which are to be conducted in an independent, impartial and
constructive spirit.
India participated in the 26th International Conference of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies held in Geneva from 3 to 7
December 1995. The Conference provided a useful and timely
opportunity for constructive interaction of promotion of
cooperation among the Geneva conventions, for furthering the
humanitarian mission of movement and for fostering respect
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for humanitarian values. India's strong commitment to respecting
her obligations under the Geneva Conventions was re-affirmed at
the conference. The 26th International Conference adopted a
number of resolutions related to the implementation and
dissemination of IHL, the protection of civilians in periods of
arm conflict, the principles and action in international
humanitarian assistance and protection, the strengthening of the
capacity of national societies to provide humanitarian and'
development assistance as well as protection to the most
vulnerable during natural or man-made disasters.
Administrative and Budgetary Issues
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The UN Secretary-General in his annual report to the General
Assembly referred to the acute financial crisis being faced by
the UN arising from non-payment of dues both to the regular and
peace-keeping budget. India, which has fulfilled her payment
obligations on a regular and timely basis, continued to
participate actively in the work of the Fifth Committee.
The Open-Ended High Level Working Group on the Financial
Situation of the United Nations which commenced its deliberations
early in 1995 discussed various aspects relating to the financial
crisis, including inter alia issues relating to timely payment of
contributions, the problem of arrears owed by Member States to
the UN and possible changes in the methodology of calculating the
scales of assessment. No agreement was reached and the Working
Group will resume in early 1996. Some progress was made in '
advancing the argument that the question of arrears needs to be
dealt with along with other measures if the membership is to find
viable solutions to the financial crisis. The Working Group also
agreed to deliberate on the issue of payment of debts owed to
member states including India for earlier peace-keeping
operations (ONUC and UNEF I) and on ways of addressing concerns
of troop contributors. An intensified level of discussion is
anticipated from early 1996 in the ' Working Group, especially in
the light of statements from the Secretary General that the
organisation will be facing an unprecedented
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crisis with no usable reserves and overwhelming debts by mid-
1996.
Within the Fifth Committee the focus was on continued efforts at
reform and budgetary management, especially in the context of the
proposed programme budget for 1996-97. India was positive towards
various proposals to introduce reform in current procurement and
asset management polcies and procedures, and the strengthening of
internal and external oversight. Further progress is expected to
be made next year. Budget discussions are still underway and
efforts to protect funds for promotion of development and to
ensure funds for implementation of the declaration on the
elimination of international terrorism and the right to
development are continuing.
With regard to India's claims for troops and equipment provided
to peace-keeping operations, full reimbursement has been made for
her participation in PKOs in Mozambique and Cambodia. Some
amounts are st ill outstanding for troop contributions to
Somalia, Rwanda and Angola and for contingent owned equipment
provided by India for PKOs.
Elections and Appointments
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During the year, India was elected or nominated by
acclamation/consensus to the following bodies:-
1 Dr (Smt) Najma Heptullah, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to
the Executive Council of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) for
a period of four years.
2 Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
Part II for the period 1995-98.
3 Council of International Maritime Organisation, Category B for
two-year term beginning January 1996.
4 The Advisory Committee on Administrative & Budgetary Questions
(ACABQ).
5 Shri S G Somiah, Comptroller & Auditor General of India re-
elected as member of the UN Board of Auditors for a three-year
term beginning January 1996.
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6 Shri Narendra Sharma of India elected as one of the Vice
Chairmen of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity for the period 1996-
1997.
7 The World Food Council for a three-year term beginning January
1996.
8 The Governing Council of the United Nations Environment
Programme for a four-year term beginning January 1996.
9 The Commission on Human Settlement for a four-year term
beginning January 1996.
10 Shri N R Krishnan, Secretary (E&F) appointed as the Chairman
of the Board of Governors of the International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development for one year from November 1995.
He was also nominated by acclamation to co-chair the Inter-
Governmental Panel on Forests for one year (1995-96).
11 Dr A V S Reddy elected as Director, Centre for Integrated
Rural Development for Asia and Pacific (CIRDAP), with
headquarters at Dhaka for a period of 2 years.
12 The Council of the FAO for a period of three years.
13 The Programme and Budget Committee of UNIDO for a period of
two years.
14 At the 28th General Conference of UN Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) held at Paris during 25
October-16 November 1995, India was elected to the following:
(a) Council of the International Bureau of Education for a period
of 4 years.
(b) International Coordination Council of Programme of Man and
Biosphere for a period of 4 years.
(c) Inter-Governmental Council for the International Hydrological
Programme for a period of 4 years.
(d) Inter-Governmental Committee for promoting the return of
Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its restitution
in case of illicit appropriation for a period of 4 years.
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International Law: Developments and Activities |
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The Forty Seventh Session of the International Law Commission
(ILC) was held at Geneva from 2 to 22 May 1995. Joint Secretary
in the Legal & Treaties Division was elected as Chairman of the
Commission for this year. At this session, the Commission
considered the Draft Code of Crimes against the Peace and
Security of Mankind in its second reading and agreed' to
initially work on a limited set of four crimes as opposed to
twelve crimes taken up earlier in the first reading. On State
Responsibility, the Commission discussed, the legal consequences
of internationally wrongful acts characterised as "crimes";
finalised articles with commentaries, on proportionality and
prohibited countermeasures, and on settlement of disputes. On the
topic of international. liability, the Commission made further
progress and finalised four more articles and discussed proposals
on the definition of harm to environment. The Commission also
commenced work in a preliminary way on two other topics, namely,
the law of reservations to treaties and the impact of State
succession on nationality.
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
(UNCITRAL) held its Twenty Eighth session from 2 to 26 May 1995
at Vienna. During the session, the main focus of the Commission
was on completion of the draft United Nations Convention on
Independent Bank Guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit. The
purpose of the Convention is to establish uniform rules for
independent bank guarantees and stand-by letters of credit in
particular with regard to prevention of fraudulent or abusive
payments, demands, under such instruments. The other substantive
items considered by the Commission were the draft Model Law on
Legal Aspects of Electronic Data in International Trade. This is
an effort by the Commission to eliminate legal obstacles to the
wider use of "Electronic Data Interchange" in trade transactions.
The Commission also reviewed amendments to the Draft Notes on
Organising Arbitral Proceedings with a view to making arbitral
proceedings more practicable and efficient.
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The main agenda items considered at the Fiftieth Session of the
United Nations General Assembly, by the Sixth (Legal) Committee
held from 26 September to 29 November 1995 were: the work of the
International Law Commission (ILC); the United Nations Commission
on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); the Sub-Committee on the
Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the
Role of the Organisation; Measures to Eliminate International
Terrorism; Establishment of an International Criminal Court;
Review of the Role of Trusteeship Council; decision to delete
article 11 of the Statute of the United Nations Administrative
Tribunal; and Status of the Diplomatic Courier and Diplomatic Bag
not accompanied by diplomatic courier.
The Indian delegation participated actively in the Committee's
deliberations, including its consultations on several matters and
commented on the progress made by the International Law
Commission and on the question of preparation of Statute for an
International Criminal Court.
On the recommendation of the Sixth Committee, the General
Assembly:
(i) adopted resolutions which strongly condemned all acts of
terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, urged States not to
provide safe havens to terrorists and called upon them to
implement obligations under existing international conventions
and to contribute to further development of international law;
(ii) decided to establish a Preparatory Committee to discuss
further major substantive and administrative issues with a view
to preparing a widely acceptable consolidated text of a
Convention for an International Criminal Court;
(iii) decided to initiate the procedure to amend the UN Charter
to delete the "enemy- State" clauses;
(iv) adopted the UN Model Rules for the Conciliation of Disputes
between States;
(v) decided to delete Article 11 of the Statutes of the UN
Administrative Tribunal which would abolish the
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Committee to Review the Decisions of the Administrative Tribunal;
(vi) decided that the Special Charter Committee will be open to
all member-States;
(vii) adopted a resolution on implementation of the Charter
provisions relating to assistance to third States affected by the
application of sanctions; and
(viii) decided to seek the views of States on the proposal for
inclusion of a new item on "diplomatic protection" on the agenda
of the International Law Commission.
Pursuant to a resolution of the General Assembly at its
Fortyninth Session, the UN Congress on Public International Law
was held from 13 to 17 March 1995 at UN Headquarters as part of
the UN Decade of International Law. A senior Indian Professor of
International Law Shri B S Murty presented a paper, placing him
in a select group of twenty-five international lawyers chosen for
this purpose. L&T Division participated in the Congress.
The Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of
Outer Space held its regular annual session at Vienna in
March/April 1995. During this session the Sub-Committee discussed
mainly the subjects of delimitation and definition of Outer
Space, legal principles relating to the geo-stationary orbit,
rational utilisation of Outer Space taking into particular
account the needs and interests of developing countries. In
addition, the Sub-Committee also discussed the question of the
review and possible revision of the Principles relating to the
use of nuclear power sources in outer space. The Sub-Committee
also prepared a questionnaire for seeking the views of States on
a possible legal regime for "aerospace" objects. Although the
discussions registered progress, no final agreement has been
reached during the session.
The Thirty-Fourth Annual Session of the Asian African Legal
Consultative Committee(AALCC) was held at Doha, Qatar from 17 to
22 April 1995. The Committee considered the report on the work of
the International Law Commission, including the work of the
Commission on international rivers, Law of the
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Sea, Status of refugees, the work of the United Nations
Commission on International Trade Law and Agenda for Peace. The
Committee also considered matters arising out of the decision
taken at its thirty-second session regarding shifting of its
headquarters to Doha, Qatar.
The L&T Division participated in the preparation of a revised
Model Agreement on Protection of Bilateral Investments and in the
bilateral negotiations with Australia, Argentina, Canada,
Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore,
South Africa, South Korea and Switzerland. Agreements on
Protection of Foreign Investment were signed with Denmark,
Germany, The Netherlands, Malaysia and Turkmenistan. Agreements
with France, Italy and South Africa were also finalised.
The Division has prepared the draft periodic report under Article
18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women on the basis of the material
collected from the concerned administrative
Ministries/Departments.
As a follow up to the International Conference on International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) organised by the Government of Switzerland
in September 1993, the meeting of Intergovernmental Experts for
the Protection of War Victims was held in January 1995 to study
practical means of promoting full respect for and compliance with
IHL. The twenty sixth International Conference of the Red Cross
and Red Crescent held at Geneva in December 1995 endorsed the
recommendations of the Experts meeting and adopted several
resolutions regarding the protection of civilian populations in
periods of armed conflict with special reference to women,
children, refugees and displaced persons.
The International Convention on the International Return of
Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects was adopted by a
Diplomatic Conference held at Rome front 7 to 24 June 1995 on the
basis of a draft prepared by the International Institute for the
Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
Negotiations for conclusion of Extradition treaties were held
with Thailand. Consultations and exchange of drafts took place
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with Mauritius, while pursuing different negotiations already
commenced with countries like the USA.
As in previous years, the Ministry undertook negotiations and
processed for signature, ratification, and accession several
multilateral and bilateral treaties involving India.
India became a party to several multilateral conventions
including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
1982 and the Agreement Relating to the Implementation of Part XI
thereof; Convention on the prohibition of the development,
production, stockpiling and use A chemical weapons and their
destruction; International Convention on Salvage; and the
Agreement on SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA).
India also signed the Agreement for the establishment of Indian
Ocean Tuna Commission and the Agreement establishing the
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Some important bilateral agreements signed during the year
include the mutual cooperation agreement with Egypt and Joint
Declaration with Tunisia to Combat Illicit Trafficking in
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. A list of Treaties
entered into by India during the year- is given at Appendix 111.
A list of Full Powers issued during 1995 for signing Agreements
is at Appendix IV and a list of Instruments of Ratification of
Treaties, Agreements, Conventions and Protocols is at Appendix V.
Non-Aligned Movement
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The Eleventh Non-Aligned Conference of Heads of State and
Government was held in Cartagena, Colombia from 18 to 20 October
1995. The Summit was preceded by the Senior Officials meeting
(14-15 October 1995) and the Ministerial level Meeting (16-17
October 1995). Out of 113 NAM member countries, 108 attended,
approximately 45 at Head of State/Government level. Prime
Minister led a high level Indian delegation that included
Minister of External Affairs, Minister of State in Prime
Minister's Office, Foreign Secretary and other senior officials.
This was the second Summit to be held in Latin America after the
Havana Summit in 1979.
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The Summit focussed on the continuing relevance and role of NAM
in the changed international scenario and NAM's priorities, goals
and responses to new challenges. The question of UN reforms,
international security and disarmament, development, human
rights, social issues and South-South Cooperation were debated
extensively during the Conference. Prime Minister's address set
the tone of discussions on various issues of interest to India,
including. economic and social issues and the elimination of
nuclear weapons. Turkmenistan was admitted as a full member and
Ukraine as a guest. Discussions on other requests of Bosnia &
Herzegovina and Costa Rica for membership and Japan and Macedonia
for guest status were inconclusive.
The Summit adopted a Final Document and a shorter Declaration-
"The Call from Colombia". The Indian delegation played a key role
in drafting these documents and in evolving a consensus on the
key issues. The salient conclusions/recommendations of the
Summit, inter alia, included the following:
The Final Document reaffirms the continuing validity and
relevance of the principles and objectives of NAM and stresses
that the Movement should work towards cooperation and a sense of
full partnership in the international field for the promotion of
peace and social and economic development.
The section on disarmament reflects India's concerns since it
establishes the priority for nuclear disarmament. It also calls
for and endorses: (a) Adoption of an Action Plan for elimination
of all nuclear weapons within la time bound framework. This is in
keeping with the 1998 Action Plan; (b) Consideration of CTBT as
an important step in the process leading to complete nuclear
disarmament within a specific time frame; (c) Endorsement of the
Indian initiative for lobbying a resolution in UNGA for "Nuclear
Weapons Elimination Treaty" and for negotiations to be undertaken
in the Conference on Disarmament; (d) Endorsement of SSOD IV to
be held in 1997.
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On the issue of Security Council restructuring the Summit
endorsed comprehensive expansion of Security Council to reflect
the universal character of the world organisation and a
substantial increase in representation of NAM countries.
The paras on Terrorism, Human Rights, Peace-keeping Operations
reflected India's major concerns. On economic issues
deliberations at the Summit dwelt on the centrality of the role
of the UN in development, the need for reform in international
economic institutions, and coherence between them, particularly
Bretton Woods Institutions, market access to developing countries
exports in the post Uruguay round, coercive new conditionalities
and the need to strengthen South-South cooperation.
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The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Countries met at
Ministerial level in Bandung (Indonesia) from 25 to 27 April
1995. While the objective was to prepare for the 11th NAM Summit
at Cartagena, the meeting also commemorated the 40th anniversary
of the First Asian African Conference which was held in April
1955 in Bandung. A high level Indian delegation led by Minister
of External Affairs participated in the Ministerial Meeting. The
final communique adopted clearly acknowledged that the Asian
Relations Conference in March 1947 in New Delhi along with 1955
Asian African Conference provided the underpinning for the Non-
Aligned Movement. The communique also touched on the range of
issues central to the agenda of the Movement including the review
of the international situation, the question of Security Council
expansion, reform and re-structuring of the UN, international
economic issues, disarmament.
Commonwealth
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The Auckland Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was
held between 10 to 13 November 1995. Of the 48 countries which
attended the meeting, 33 were represented by Heads of State or
Prime Ministers. The Indian delegation was led by the Minister of
External Affairs.
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The Summit reiterated support for the fundamental political
values of the Commonwealth relating to democracy, development,
human rights and the rule of the law as enshrined in the Harare
Commonwealth Declaration of 1991. A separate statement, endorsed.
by "the overwhelming majority of Heads of Government", without
naming France and China, "condemned the continued nuclear testing
which was inconsistent with the undertaking given by the Nuclear
Weapon States to exercise utmost restraint so as not to affect
the on-going negotiations for the conclusion of the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty in 1996". The Summit also welcomed the reform and
revitalisation of the UN and called for an end to "wasteful
spending and duplication". It endorsed the proposal to expand the
Security Council.
The conference also emphasised the importance of the social and
economic development programmes of the Commonwealth, crucial to
conferring the benefit of Commonwealth membership to states. In
response to requests from the Commonwealth Secretary General
pertaining to resource constraints facing the Commonwealth Fund
for Technical Cooperation (responsible for the Commonwealth's
programmes of technical cooperation), India announced an increase
in her contribution to the CFTC from the present Pounds 400,000
to Pounds 600,000.
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1995
10. Foreign Economic Relations |
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In the year under review India experienced a new phase of
intense international economic interaction. The establishment of
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of which India became founder
member, the on-going review of the Bretton Woods Institutions-the
IMF and World Bank-as well as the economic role and functions of
the UN, the evolution of G-7 as well as G-77 perspectives, the
consolidation and formation of regional economic groupings as
well as the continuing spurt in India's trade and investment
relations with key countries provided a dynamic setting for her
economic diplomacy. The Ministry of External Affairs played an
important promotional, facilitating
In the year under review India experienced a new phase of
intense international economic interaction. The establishment of
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of which India became founder
member, the on-going review of the Bretton Woods Institutions-the
IMF and World Bank-as well as the economic role and functions of
the UN, the evolution of G-7 as well as G-77 perspectives, the
consolidation and formation of regional economic groupings as
well as the continuing spurt in India's trade and investment
relations with key countries provided a dynamic setting for her
economic diplomacy. The Ministry of External Affairs played an
important promotional, facilitating and enabling role in India's
efforts to project and promote abroad her economic capabilities
and interests-bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally. The
Economic Division and the Multilateral Economic Relations (MER)
Division were able to provide key inputs for India's economic
policy-making in terms of gleaning the relevant experiences of
other countries and institutions. They also played an important
role in ascertaining positions and rallying support on issues of
vital interest to the present and future growth and well-being of
the Indian economy.
The information role played by the Divisions became crucial
particularly in terms of responding to enquiries from Indian
Missions and providing them the informational wherewithal to
carry out their economic and commercial. functions effectively.
Ranging from simple trade enquiries from Indian
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exporters and Indian Missions to details about India's policy,
legislation and procedures on various aspects of trade and
investment, the Economic Division provides a regular and quick
response service.
The Economic Division undertook a major review of the information
infrastructure-hardware and software as well as personnel
requirement of India's Missions-for effectively carrying out
commercial and economic work. A consolidated proposal factoring
in these requirements into the administrative and budgetary
framework is on-going.
The Economic Division participated actively in trade promotion
efforts of Government and industry particularly in terms of
informing and catalysing participation of foreign business in
Indian Trade Fairs and Indian business in foreign trade fairs,
seminars, road shows, buyer-seller meets, etc. The attempt is to
get a balance of general and sectoral, country-specific and
regional focus. The Economic Division facilitated, through
contact with foreign Missions in India and Indian Missions abroad
and in collaboration with apex Chambers, the visits of business
delegations to and from India.
The Economic Division has been contributing to crisis management
as well as crisis prevention on a number of trade related
problems and issues affecting India's exports and imports. Thus,
for example, the problems on account of perceptions about some of
India's export sectors using child labour was sought to be
countered through speedy despatch of information and advice on
approaches to be followed by Indian Missions and briefing
concerned foreign delegations. The Division has prepared
appropriate publicity brochures on this issue for use by target
Indian Missions. Similarly on issues such as the problem of azo-
dyes in India's textiles export, policy regarding handling,
export and import of hazardous waste, attempts to use
environmental and phyto-sanitary and other regulations to
restrict India's exports, the issue of dual use technology, the
Division is able to gather information about the emerging
patterns with regard to these policies as well as on the best
ways to cope with non-tariff barriers of this kind.
The Division has played a supportive role in meeting the special
and additional facilitation needs of India's Small Scale
-115>
Industry (SSI) sector particularly in helping them to link up
with successful Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
institutionally and sectorally in other countries and in their
export efforts. The Economic Division has also stimulated private
sector initiative for SSI cooperation with countries in Africa
and South-East Asia.
The Economic Division is associated with a number of economic
policy-making bodies of the Government of India whether it be of
inter-ministerial nature or on the boards of public sector
undertakings/industry associations. This enables the Ministry of
External Affairs to provide the political as well as larger
regional and global perspective on policy issues from the vantage
point of having direct contact with, and knowledge of comparable
policies and issues in, other countries.
The Multilateral Economic Relations Division's think-tank, policy
and event monitoring as well as normative functions vis-a-vis
regional and trans-regional economic groupings and alliances
around the world continue to evolve in the light of rapid
developments in the global economy and the regionalisation
process itself. The MER Division closely followed macro-economic
global trends, policy considerations and evolution, and attempted
to relate them to the Indian context. Emerging issues for
possible multilateral negotiations and rule-making were
identified, studied and thinking and consideration of the
Government of India stimulated. Analysis and monitoring of G-7
meetings and policy pronouncements, Quad policies on World Trade
Organisation (WTO), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), policy thinking, studies and recommendations
of bodies such as UNCTAD on traditional and new issues were areas
of focus.
Apart from following developments relating to regional, sub-
regional and trans-regional economic groupings and preferential
and free trade areas, MER Division has attempted to assess and
relate these to India's international economic objectives and
trade and investment flows to and from India. Attempts have been
made to establish a dialogue with many of these groupings or to
contribute and participate in them on
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the basis of geographical proximity and degree of economic
interdependence.
Beyond India's own sub-region and SAARC, India is participating
in the Inter-governmental Indian Ocean Rim Initiative (IORI) on
regional economic cooperation, involving Mauritius, South Africa,
Australia, Singapore, Oman and Kenya. India sees this as a
recovery of the littoral economic, social and cultural community
that existed in the Indian Ocean for centuries and as a natural
corollary of the global trend towards setting up contiguity based
geo-economic spaces. In keeping with the global focus on economic
advancement and dynamism, India wants IORI to concentrate on
economic cooperation and to be a bridgehead between Africa, Asia
and Australia. Conditions now exist for taking the present level
of intra-trade and investment of 20% to much higher levels given
the natural resource endowment, large population base and market,
and rapidly growing and competitive productive capacities in
agriculture, manufacturing and services as well as the emerging
complementarity-competitiveness continuum among these countries.
The Mauritius IORI was launched in March 1995 and constitutes a
structured inter-government process of a tripartite consultative
nature including representatives of business and academia. It has
adopted a set of principles and objectives and outlined the scope
of activities. At the Working Group meeting of the IORI in August
1995 a decision was taken on gradual expansion of the group, the
idea being to achieve universal regional membership over a period
of time through consensus while maintaining cohesion and
effectiveness of the process of cooperation. India is working
with other countries to formulate a charter and work programme
for- the IORI which would be adopted at a high level inter-
governmental meeting in mid-1996. Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum
(IORBF) and an Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG) will
provide the intellectual input and practical business component
respectively to IORI The focus is on cooperation in the areas of
trade liberalisation, facilitation, promotion, investment
promotion, trade infrastructure, science and technology, tourism
and human resource development.
-117>
India also participated in the second track, informal,
nongovernmental and wider consultative process initiated by
Australia. Relevant ideas from this track could be picked up by
the first track Mauritius process. As part of this, Indian Ocean
Business Consultative Network (IOBCN) and Indian Ocean Research
Network (IORN) were held in New Delhi in December 1995.
In the context of India's attempts to establish trans-regional
networks of cooperation amongst developing countries, India
continued to take an active part in furthering the G-15, i.e.,
the 15-nation Group for South-South Consultation and Cooperation
(Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Jamaica,
Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal,
Zimbabwe). Prime Minister attended the Fifth G-15 Summit held in
Argentina from 5 to 7 November. From India's perspective, 3 major
results were achieved: (i) operationalisation of a dynamic
mechanism to formulate, assist, monitor and follow-up on
initiatives relating to intra-G-15 trade and investment
liberalisation, facilitation and promotion, transfer of
technology and cooperation in infrastructure for which full
business participation and support is to be ensured; (ii) the
issue of terrorism was discussed at Summit Retreat and a strong
indictment against terrorism was issued particularly that which
is based on fanaticism and fed from abroad (G-15 consultations
are to be held from time to time to reinforce on-going
international efforts to combat terrorism); and (iii) the Joint
Communique set out a clear agenda for international economic
cooperation for the year 2000 and included important elements of
India's concern vis-a-vis the international economic system as
well as developed country policies. The message, that support for
India's equitable integration into the international trading
system was a must, was forcefully given in Prime Minister's
statement on behalf of Asia as well as in the Joint Communique.
As an integral part of India's 'Look East' policy in keeping with
the rapid consolidation of ASEAN and the acceleration and
expansion of the ASEAN Free Trade Area, India continued to engage
the ASEAN in the four sectors of her Sectoral Dialogue
Partnership with them. The second meeting of the
-118>
ASEAN-India Sectoral Dialogue Committee was held in February
1995, and ASEAN-India Round Table Conference involving policy
makers and captains of industry on both sides was held in
September 1995. Both these meetings gave an impetus to trade and
investment between ASEAN and India whilst also establishing the
necessary informational and institutional linkages. Signal
progress was registered in Indo-ASEAN Cooperation in Science and
Technology when an Indian team participated in the ASEAN Science
and Technology week in September 1995 and had intensive
interaction with their counterparts and institutions. Concrete
projects are on the anvil for joint research and development and
commercialisation in the three leading edge areas of information
technology, advanced materials and bio-technology. On tourism,
bilateral linkages are being complemented through cooperation
between India's tourism sector and ASEAN Tourism Association
(ASEANTA). It is hoped that concrete progress in India's Sectoral
Dialogue partnership will incrementally take her to new and
higher levels of interaction with ASEAN.
This hope was realised when- the Fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on
14 and 15 December 1995 took the decision to upgrade India's
Sectoral Dialogue Partnership to the status of full Dialogue
Partnership. This is a major positive development for India
having far-reaching implications. As part of the full Dialogue
Partnership process, India will be participating in the Post-
Ministerial Consultations (PMCs) at the time of the ASEAN
Ministerial Meeting scheduled for July 1996. India will also be
interacting with ASEAN under the auspices of a Dialogue
Committee. Singapore has been named as the 'Country Coordinator'
on the ASEAN side for its dialogue partnership with India. Under
this higher level of dialogue relationship, cooperation between
ASEAN and India is bound to further intensify not only in the
four select areas of trade, investment, science & technology, and
tourism identified under the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, but
also in new areas expected to be mutually identified for
bilateral cooperation. Moreover, the full Dialogue Partnership
would enable comprehensive consultation and dialogue with ASEAN
on all matters including political and security.
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MER Division has been monitoring with interest the progression of
an important inter-regional economic cooperation-the APEC-since
the 18-member countries account for 55% of the foreign investment
that India receives and 44% of her exports. At the Third Osaka
Summit of November 1995, APEC adopted an Action Agenda for free
trade in the region encompassing unilateral commitments for
liberalisation and facilitation towards achieving the goals of
free trade and investment in the region by the year 2010 (for
developed members) and 2020 (for developing members). The APEC,
it is hoped, will continue on the path of "open regionalism" and
non-discriminatory Most Favoured Nation Treatment particularly
vis-a-vis non-member developing countries like India. India has
conveyed her interest in APEC membership as well as in
participating in some of its working groups, stressing mutual
benefit.
A new chapter in India's economic interaction with the developed
countries was opened when she became policy dialogue partner of
the 26-member developed country think-tank and policy
consultation and evolution forum-the OECD. As part of this
dialogue, India participated in discussions that the OECD had
with select Dynamic Non-member Economies of South-East Asia,
China and Latin American countries on investment and trade policy
issues. The dialogue has provided India a window into intra-
developed country policy thinking especially on emerging issues
that would impact on her economy and the liberalisation process.
It also provides India an opportunity to give inputs from her
particular perspective and interest. The MER Division has
utilised this dialogue as well as bilateral interactions with
developed and developing countries to consult and develop a
coherent view on the new issues that are appearing on the
international trade and investment agenda such as those relating
to environment, quality and standards, competition policy, a
multilateral investment regime, international labour standards
and intellectual, property rights.
This consultative and policy dialogue process was taken further
during the visit of the OECD Secretary General to India in
January 1996. India has been invited to participate in four
policy dialogue workshops with Dynamic Non-Member
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Economies dealing with foreign investment, taxation (transfer
pricing), trade policies and trade relations, and steel trade and
adjustment issues.
India continued to play an important role within the Group of 77
in evolving a common developing country platform on a number of
long-standing as well as new issues, particularly as efforts have
been on-going in some quarters to stress differentiation rather
than commonality of interests among them. Whether on the question
of follow-up to landmark international conferences on development
or in respect of the Agenda for Development and institutional
reform being attempted in the UN, India has made both conceptual
and practical contributions. The stress has been on how India can
help shape a positive external economic environment for herself
and other developing countries in the new competitive context of
liberalisation and globalisation.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme is
the primary instrument for promoting technical and economic
cooperation with developing countries on official bilateral
basis. In September 1995 the ITEC Programme, Special Commonwealth
African Assistance Programme (SCAAP) and Aid to Disaster Relief
were hived off from the Economic Division to form the new ITEC
Division so as to give greater focus on India's economic
diplomacy by expanding and broadening India's Economic
Cooperation with Developing Countries (ECDC) and Technical
Cooperation with Developing Countries (TCDC) activities under
ITEC and SCAAP Programmes.
The ITEC Programme covers areas such as feasibility studies,
consultancy services, deputation of India's experts, project
related assistance, study visits to India and provision of
training courses in Indian civilian and defence institutions for
candidates from partner countries.
During the year 1995-96, 814 training slots for nominees of
foreign governments have been allocated under ITEC Programme. At
present, regular courses are offered in various fields such as
Audit and Accounts, Banking, Computers, Cooperatives Management,
Diplomacy, Fertilisers, Man-power
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Planning, Packaging, Parliamentary Studies, Poultry, Rural
Development, Sericulture, Small Industry Development,
Standardisation, etc. In addition to the regular courses, during
the year new courses like DNA Technology, Potato Research, Budget
Execution and Financial Control in India, Management of Human
Development Programmes for Rural Reconstruction were also
offered. Major beneficiaries of ITEC Programmes are countries
like Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Mauritius, Vietnam, Sudan, Sierra
Leone, Zimbabwe and Mongolia.
The ITEC Division is also a nodal point for organising military
training in the prestigious defence institutions in India for
nominees from friendly foreign countries. Slots are also offered
under ITEC Programmes on reciprocal or on self-financing basis.
On an average, 260 ITEC sponsored slots are offered and another
100 under the Self-Financing Scheme. Courses range from the
National Defence College (NDC)/Defence Services Staff College,
(DSSC)/Indian Military Academy (IMA) to relatively short-term
technical courses in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
While African countries have been the primary beneficiaries of
ITEC since the inception of the Programme, countries in Eastern
Europe and Central Asia are participating in increasing numbers.
With a view to facilitating admission of nominees from non-
English speaking countries the special courses on English
language are being arranged to raise their academic pre-
requisites. The terms and conditions of the ITEC programme are
also being revised to make the training courses more attractive
by increasing, inter alia, the living, accommodation and book
allowances. These revised' terms and conditions will be effective
from the next financial year 1996-97.
Under the ITEC Programme, projects are executed with India's
assistance. Such projects are meant to share India's
developmental experience and expertise acquired over the past
four decades and more in areas like agriculture, small scale
industries, dairy farming, employment generation, solar energy,
information technology, etc. Among major projects executed during
the period are the Vocational Training Centres
-122>
in Vietnam, Mongolia and Cuba. A Mobile Eye Clinic in Ghana has
been commissioned. A Remote-Sensing Centre, a Road Rehabilitation
Programme and a Programme for setting up a Bal Bhavan in
Mauritius are under execution.
Feasibility study in connection with setting up of a Vocational
Training Centre in Senegal has been completed by Hindustan
Machine Tools Ltd while National Small-Scale Industries
Corporation (NSIC) has completed feasibility studies for setting
up a Technology Demonstration Centre in Namibia.
Study visits by foreign delegations to India also take place
under ITEC to provide exposure to India's significant
advancements, capabilities and to identify specific areas of
cooperation. Five study visits-one from Kenya, two each from
Ghana and Laos-have taken place.
Thirty experts are currently stationed in various developing
countries on long-term deputations as on 15 September 1995. They
have been deputed to Cambodia, Laos, Uzbekistan, Gambia, Ghana,
Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda
and Guyana in the fields of agriculture, medicine, engineering,
teaching, accountancy, small scale industry and irrigation.
Under Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan (SCAAP),
technical assistance is extended by India to 17 Commonwealth
countries of Africa. Under the Programme, 550 slots have been
allocated for providing training facilities in Indian
institutions to nominees from Benin, Botswana, Gambia, Ghana,
Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles,
Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zanzibar,
Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe during the current financial year.
During 1995-96, India continued to extend disaster relief
assistance to countries afflicted with calamities like earth
quake, flood, epidemics, hurricanes, fire, etc. Among the
countries for which disaster relief assistance has been/is being
extended include Zambia, Myanmar, Laos, Burkina Faso, Togo, Iraq,
Rwanda, Namibia, North Korea, Kyrghyzstan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Antigua & Barbuda, Caribbean
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countries, Nauru, etc. North Korea was assisted to overcome post-
flood epidemics and Namibia was given food assistance for the
drought-affected parts of the country. India extended further
relief assistance to Ghana by providing essential medicines/drugs
at a cost of Rs 5 lakhs to overcome post-flood epidemics. India
has also supplied 25,000 phials of indelible ink to Sierra Leone
at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs as a gesture of goodwill in the conduct
of general elections on 26 February 1996. Such humanitarian
gestures play an important role in cementing bilateral relations
with these countries by creating goodwill
Financial & Economic Adviser to the Senegalese Prime Minister A M
M Lo visited India from 18 to 28 December 1995. Lo called on
Secretary (ER) in the Ministry, Commerce Secretary and
Directorate General of CSIR in respect of cooperation in the
field of cotton cultivation, industrial estate, vocational
training centre, etc. He also met representatives of FICCI and
COSSIA. Lo visited the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
to explore the possibility of collaboration in the field of
agriculture.
A 4-member medical team from Baghdad visited India from 11 to 18
January 1996 to explore the possibilities for mutual cooperation
in the medical field. The delegation held discussions. with. the
representatives of AIIMS, New Delhi, Directorate General of
Health Services and Indian Drug Manufacturers Association. The
team also visited Ranbaxy Research & Development Centre, Gurgaon
and Dabur Research & Development Centre, Ghaziabad.
A 3-member delegation visited Suriname, Guyana, Panama and
Nicaragua from 20 January to 3 February 1996 in order to add
greater economic content to bilateral relations through
identification of concrete projects for bilateral cooperation in
industrial, agricultural and human resource development sectors.
A seminar on Micro-Industries was held on 8 and 9 February 1996
in Mozambique under ITEC programme.
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|
1995
Trade and Investment Promotion |
Top |
India's programme of economic reforms was launched in July 1991
and wide ranging changes affecting virtually every sector of the
economy were initiated. The integration of the Indian economy
with the global economy having started, the Ministry played an
active role in facilitating the process and projecting the India
advantage and mutual benefit to her trade and investment
partners.
Foreign investments were given a prime role to bridge the gap
between the needs of the economy and the resources that could be
raised internally. Investments in India by multinational firms
from the industrialised countries, including United States of
America and Europe as well as non-resident Indians have increased
significantly in response to the enabling business environment,
structural changes, reforms in the financial and capital markets,
improvement in macro-economic indicators, deregulation of foreign
investments, etc. However, the perceptions of foreign investors,
though changing at a slow pace, continued to be overshadowed by
prejudices and ignorance of the rapid developments in India,
increasing ever more the need to disabuse them of these
preconceptions. This needed a reorientation of India's projection
abroad with emphasis on latest, user-friendly techniques
available and acceptable worldwide, and specially so in selected
advanced countries which formed the target group for
-125>
the Ministry's concerted publicity efforts. The perception has to
some extent altered and investors are forming realistic
judgements, inter alia, on the basis of the information provided
by the Ministry through Indian Missions abroad. This is evident
from the foreign investment approvals accorded numbering 3803
amounting to Rs 39,000 crores till September 1995.
The Ministry of External Affairs in close liaison with the
concerned Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, the
apex Chambers of Commerce and Industry and various think-tanks
kept the Missions informed of the developments for projecting
India's potential and capacity for absorption of foreign capital
and state of the art technology. It continued its concerted
efforts for attracting investments, both from Foreign
Institutional Investors as well as Foreign Direct Investments.
This was accomplished by initiating bilateral agreements and
treaties on economic matters, servicing of Joint Commissions,
assisting in the work of Joint Business Councils at non-
governmental levels and other available avenues.
Ministry's investment promotion exercise included dissemination
of sector specific information, in collaboration with concerned
Ministries. Special emphasis was laid on highlighting India's
strengths and complementarities with various target countries.
Among the countries which received special attention were Japan,
Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, USA and Canada. Co-opting
of the private sector as well as apex Chambers of Commerce and
Industry formed the key component of Ministry's strategy for
investment promotion.
Back-up support to Missions and Posts
|
Top |
Close liaison with Indian Missions and Posts abroad was
maintained and they were provided with back-up support for the
various promotional measures undertaken by them. A number of
Missions had been bringing out economic newsletters highlighting
business opportunities, some of them in local languages and
distributing them to targeted audiences. They were kept posted
with latest developments, topical news items
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and updates on policy issues as changes took place in India.
Floppy diskettes and revised quarterly were supplied to Missions
on a regular basis to ensure that information databases are up-
to-date. Weekly summary of important economic events, produced in
conjunction with Press Trust of India (PTI) and analyses thereof
were sent to the Missions to enable them to keep local business
and industry apprised of the developments.
External Economic Publicity
|
Top |
The visit by a 3-member delegation of journalists from Japan's
leading financial daily in September/October 1995 was part of the
special efforts being made in co-ordination with the External
Publicity Division to reach out to business journalists in
foreign countries. Their report has been published in a book form
in Japanese language.
A 16-page flier "Opportunity India" presenting the salient
features of India's economic reforms programme and various
advantages as a country to invest in was produced. Region
specific fliers for the major investment target areas such as
USA, UK, France, Germanyand Japan and in their respective
regional languages are being prepared.
A set of 8 sector-specific brochures and 4 region-specific
brochures is being prepared in collaboration with a reputed
economic consultancy organisation. The sectors to be covered are
Agro processing and packaging, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
textiles, electronics and electronic components, automobile
ancillaries and tourism-related infrastructure. The sets of the
brochures "India Means Business" published by the Ministry for
distribution through Indian Missions were extremely well received
and several reprints were made. In addition to information on the
economic profile of the Indian economy, these brochures contain
useful information on trade, investment, the financial sector,
the size of the market and opportunities in specific sectors.
The Ministry's composite brochure entitled "India-Business
Perspectives" published in collaboration with a professional
management consultant, containing up-to-date information on
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the regulatory environment, incentives for foreign investment,
banking and finance, the Indian Tax System, Company Law and
Accounting is also being thoroughly revised and expected to go in
print soon.
Information on the Indian economy and the business environment is
also being made available on floppy diskettes, with the Ministry
linking up with the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE),
one of India's premier economic research organisations. The
material is constantly updated by means of a quarterly revision
of the contents.
Indian Missions have been encouraged to put the material from the
floppy diskette and other relevant material onto the Internet to
enable worldwide and instantaneous access. This material
incorporates inputs received from virtually every single Ministry
in the Government of India involved in the investment promotion
exercise.
Important Trade and Investment Promotion Events
|
Top |
The occasions of the Prime Minister's visits to France, USA,
Malaysia and Argentina, as well as visits by Ministers and
prominent economic personalities were utilised to highlight the
opportunities for economic collaborations and business tie-ups
and all assistance rendered with regard to the business
components of such visits.
Among the more important events coordinated for visiting economic
delegation by the Ministry were the visits of the 35-member
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Study Team
despatched by the Government of Japan in November 1995 and the
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) delegation in April
1995. The MITI Study Team was the third economic mission sent to
India by the Government of Japan after the launch of India's
liberalisation programme. The main purpose of the Study Team was
to analyse the investment environment in India. The Hong Kong
Business Mission was jointly sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Indian Chamber of
Commerce and consisted of leading Hong Kong businessmen, both
Chinese as well as Indians.
-128>
The Ministry arranged for all these delegations substantive
interaction with senior Ministers and officials in concerned
Ministries as well as representatives of Indian trade and
industry. The visits resulted in a positive appreciation by these
delegations of the progress achieved by India on the economic
front and optimistic prognosis for heightened interest and
commitment by their trade and industry in the opportunities that
India has to offer.
High level interactions with panels of Secretaries to Government
of India were arranged for visiting economic delegations,
especially those accompanying foreign dignitaries, e.g., the MITI
Study Team which accompanied MITI Vice-Minister.
The Ministry was also closely involved in various investment
promotion seminars organised in India by other Ministries as well
as apex chambers and other economic organisations. Prominent
among these were INVESMART organised in 1996 by Ministry of
Industry in collaboration with UNIDO. Brochures and other
information pertaining to these Fairs were despatched to. all
Indian Missions/Posts which were actively involved in obtaining
participation from foreign companies and Government agencies.
-129> |
1995
Policy Planning & Research
|
Top |
Policy Planning and Research Division is one of the core
Divisions in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Division was
actively engaged in preparing briefs, background papers on
important topics/issues in the rapidly changing international
situation. The papers also covered issues of medium and long term
interest to India's foreign policy and immediate reaction to
unfolding events. These contributed to discussion and decision
making on the issues concerned.
The Division served as nodal point for interaction with Joint
Intelligence Committee, the University Grants Commission and its
affiliates and Area Study Centres attached to various
universities. These activities were further diversified and
consolidated during the year.
The Division extended financial assistance to institutions in
different parts of the country for conducting seminars and
conferences on important foreign policy issues. These seminars
and conferences which were financially supported by the Division,
covered subjects like Indians in Caribbeans, Asian Security,
Peaceful use of Atomic Energy, Proliferation of Small Arms and
Light Weapons, Emerging situation in South-East Asia, Conflict
and Confidence building in South Asia, Ethnic & Religious
conflicts in India and Russia, Sino-Indian relations, Enlarging
CBMs between India & China, Inter-
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national Security in Post Cold War, Role of UN Peace Keeping,
Arms Control, Non Proliferation, Adapting foreign policies in the
post-Cold War World, US and Indian security perceptions.
The Division also financed study and research projects undertaken
by scholars and academic organisations on subjects relevant to
the Ministry of External Affairs.
One important task of the Division is to edit and publish the
Annual Report of the Ministry on the basis of material received
from various Divisions in the Ministry. "The Annual Report of the
Ministry is a very important and valuable document as it is a
compendium of India's interaction with other countries in the
world in the political, socio-economic and cultural fields
including the views of the Government of India on issues of
international importance and significance. It is a record of
India's achievements in the implementation of her foreign policy
and her contributions towards promotion of world peace.
The Division rendered all possible assistance to the territorial
Divisions as well as Indian Missions abroad on issues relating to
India's international boundary or whenever any specific
information or document on international relations was required.
The Research Wing examined the incorrect depiction of India's
international boundaries in maps printed in foreign publications,
both official and private. The matter of incorrect maps was then
taken up with the concerned government or the publisher through
Indian Missions abroad for necessary corrective measures. The
Division also scrutinised foreign publications containing maps
depicting India's external boundaries before these were imported
into the country and offered its views to the Ministries dealing
with such matters. It coordinated grant of permission for
publication of new maps by Survey of India. It coordinated with
the Survey of India and the Ministry of Defence the supply of
map-sheets to various Government and semi-Government agencies for
use in their official work. The Division also processed requests
for supply of restricted and gridded map-sheets and deciding the
classification of such map-sheets.
-131>
The Research Wing dealt with the requests from research scholars
in consultation with the concerned Territorial Division for
access to the records of the Ministry relating to the restricted
areas or the closed period as laid down in the Access Rules. It
also scrutinised the excerpts of the closed period records
requisitioned by the research scholars for clearance in
consultation with the concerned Territorial Divisions. The
Division coordinated the distribution of periodical reports of
the Indian Missions abroad.
To support the research efforts, a library equipped with modern
Information Technology equipments and with large resource
material is maintained with over one hundred thousand books and
documents plus large number of maps, microforms and Official
Documents in its collection. The Library subscribes to 600
periodical titles.
Library has in-house computer system with 12 terminals two of
which support data entry and retrieval in Indian languages; CD-
ROM Drive and CD-ROM databases on foreign affairs and current
affairs; a microfilm/fiche reader printer; a plain paper
photocopier and a VTR & colour monitor. A Laser Printer with DTP
software is also available and is being utilised for better
presentation of publications and documents of the Division.
Documentation/Bibliographic Services as well as other library
operations and services have been computerised using an
integrated library software package developed in India.
Information about all books and selected periodical articles
received in Library since 1986, maps, documents as well as
publications etc pertaining to pre-1986 period and in active use
is available on-line through each terminal-Information to Library
material can also be accessed on-line through each terminal and
through remote login via dial-up mode. All new documents received
in Library-books, maps, microforms,
selected articles from periodicals, etc-are being fed into the
in-house computer system to create Database on Foreign Affairs.
Using this Database and CD-ROM Databases, the Library provides
Current Awareness Service, Bibliographical and Reference
Services. In addition, the Library regularly issued monthly
publications: "Chronicle of Events", monthly abstracts of
selected periodical articles; "Foreign Affairs
-132>
Documentation Bulletin"; and an annotated monthly list of
publications added to the Library "Recent Additions".
Library users including Research Scholars are welcome to access
on-line computer-based information in different Databases,
including CD-ROM Databases, through Foreign Affairs Information
Retrieval System (FAIRS). Photocopying and Computer Print-out
facilities are also available to all Library users including
research scholars.
During 1995-96 the Division continued with the work of compiling
and then publishing a Compendium , of Bilateral Treaties and
Agreements signed by India with other countries during the period
1971-1980 and 1995.
-133>
|
1995
External Publicity
|
Top |
Information projection, which is a vital tool in the
implementation of foreign policy, is the essential function of
the External Publicity (XP) Division. The task involves the
dissemination of news about developments pertaining to India and
India's views and concerns on national and international issues
externally and acquainting people abroad about her perspectives
on developments in India in the political, economic, social and
cultural spheres with particular reference to issues which have a
bearing on India's external relations and foreign policy.
The focus of attention during the year was the strengthening of
the information "supply" or "service" function for Indian
Missions and Posts abroad, in order to enable them to discharge
their press, information and publicity duties more effectively.
The Division continued to perform its principal function of
setting out the policy framework as well as guiding and
supervising the functioning of the information and publicity
wings of all Indian Missions and Posts abroad.
In its key function as the office of the official spokesman of
the Government of India on all matters pertaining to India's
external affairs, it strove to orient the domestic and
international media on India's external affairs perspectives and
on topical issues through regular briefings and public relations
efforts.
-134>
The Division's news dissemination function includes press
releases and statements issued by the spokesman, news bulletins
sent out to India's Missions and Posts abroad on a twice-daily
basis and a newspaper clipping service on external affairs
coverage from the national media for Indian Missions abroad,
besides the handling of special requests. Over 360 press
releases/statements were issued by the Division this year which
are being compiled and brought out for information and record
purposes on a quarterly basis. The "Foreign Affairs Record",
another compilation of visits, agreements and other significant
diplomatic developments, is being brought out on a monthly basis.
With regard to features and other information material, the
Division commissioned or procured articles, publications, feature
films and documentaries, transparencies, photographs, floppies
and other publicity material for distribution to Missions and
Posts on a regular basis and on special commemorative occasions
such as Independence Day 1995, the 125th birth anniversary
celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, and Republic Day 1996. A
rationalisation of existing feature services has enabled the
Division to make the feature service more meaningful, to increase
the number of Missions to whom it is being supplied and to start
a regular weekly economic feature service to Missions as part of
twice-daily XP transmissions. Twenty new documentary programmes,
5 of them in 16mm/35mm film format, were acquired from Government
and independent sources and distributed to Missions. Some of
these have been telecast on foreign television networks through
Indian Missions. Over 35 Missions arranged telecasts on the
occasion of Independence Day 1995. Some 42 Indian Missions also
brought out special supplements in local newspapers on the
occasion. Six fresh TV programmes have been offered to Missions
for use on Republic Day 1996. Sixty-three new book titles, 5 new
magazines and over 400 new transparencies and several thousand
photographic prints on various aspects of India, especially the
economy, were also acquired and distributed to Missions and Posts
abroad. Activities connected with the 125th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi continued. Books, postcards, photographs,
exhibitions, articles and films on Gandhi were circulated to
responsive Missions.
-135>
On the production side, the Division completed a six-part special
educational documentary on India, covering India's history,
geography and culture and three video films on the SEWA Bank for
Women, on wasteland development and on Buddhism, highlighting the
themes of upliftment of women, environmental management and
India's religious and cultural heritage respectively. Dubbing of
films previously made or acquired in foreign languages has been
extended to cover more films. Documentaries in film and video
previously produced by the Division, notably those on women,
Sufism in India, and the new business environment in India also
received wide circulation and exposure abroad and within India. A
35 mm documentary commissioned by the Division, 'Rasayatra', on
the late Hindustani classical music vocalist Mallikarjun Mansur
was awarded the best documentary film award at the 1995 National
Film Festival.
As regards new publications, the Division completed a French
version of "Muslims in India Vol 11", for distribution amongst
French speaking people in Europe and Africa, as an extension of
its previous highly successful publication on the same subject
with a view to highlighting the contribution of Indian Muslims in
various facets of national life. A revised and updated version of
"India: A Dynamic Democracy", a staple publicity booklet and
another larger publication, "India: Continuity in Change" is
currently under preparation. Compilations bf speeches by the
Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao on foreign policy since
1991 and speeches made by Heads of Indian delegations to the UN
since 1945 are also under publication.
The demand for the Ministry's flagship publication, "India
Perspectives", now printed in 10 languages, continued to grow.
Fifty thousand copies of this monthly magazine containing a
lively mix of articles on all facets of life in India,
accompanied by illustrations and photographs were distributed
through Indian Missions abroad.
As part of its entertainment and cultural publicity work, the
Division helped organise the presentation of over 200 Indian
feature films drawn mainly from the XP Division but also from the
Directorate of Film Festivals and National Centre
-136>
for Childrens' Films (NCYP) at over 50 films events/festivals.
The Division also assisted. in the organisation of the 1996 India
International Film Festival and the Bombay International
Documentary Film Festival. As part of its on-going programme of
developing a comprehensive library of Indian film classics
covering popular, mainstream and art cinema, the Division also
acquired subtitled prints and video cassettes of feature films by
the legendary director Ritwik Ghatak, and prints of other
accomplished film producers/directors such as Mani Ratnam, Adoor
Gopalakrishnan and Aravindam.
Further, the Division assisted Missions in processing their
requirements of satellite dish antennae, video projectors, TVs
and VCRs and other equipment necessary for effective information
work.
The Division continued another major function which was to
monitor, with the help of the information wings of Indian
Missions abroad, international media coverage on India and issues
of special interest to India, to enable it to respond
appropriately to recognisable trends and distortions in the shape
of suitable corrective action. Of special importance in this
connection were the international perceptions and reportage on
the progress of India's economic reform process, developments
relating to India's relations with neighbouring countries, human
rights, Kashmir, the future of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement,
disarmament issues and bilateral relations with individual
countries. Promotion of, and feedback on, Doordarshan's new
international service and monitoring of All India Radio's
External Service was also followed up.
As part of the on-going programme of inviting foreign journalists
to acquaint themselves first-hand "With India, XP Division hosted
20 journalists from nearly 11 countries during the year from
economically advanced countries, the Islamic world and India's
neighbours. Journalists from UK, Ireland, Turkey, UAE, Kazakhstan
and others were amongst those covered under this programme. The
Division also rendered assistance to over 20 other foreign
journalists from different parts of the world visiting India on
their own. These visits led to a considerable degree in
generating goodwill and promoting a more balanced picture of
India abroad.
-137>
As the nodal agency responsible for media arrangements for
incoming visits of Heads of State and Governments, XP Division
facilitated coverage of events in India by media teams which
accompanied them during the course of the year. Visits at Head of
State and/or Government level during the period included, inter
alia, those from Iran, Nepal, Mali, Denmark and Canada. Media
arrangements were also done for VVIP visits abroad such as those
relating to the visit of the President of India Dr Shanker Dayal
Sharma to Portugal,- Trinidad & Tobago, Chile, Zimbabwe and
Namibia in May-June 1995 and the visit of the Prime Minister of
India Shri P V Narasimha Rao to Maldives in April 1995, France in
June 1995, Malaysia in August 1995, Turkmenistan and Kyrghyz
Republic in September 1995, Egypt, Colombia and USA in October
1995 and Burkina Faso, Argentina and Ghana in November 1995.
Besides these, assistance was rendered to Indian journalists
going abroad on specific assignments, notably to China, under an
exchange programme and to Auckland to cover the CHOGM Summit,
etc, The XP Division also set up an international media centre at
Vigyan Bhavan for media persons covering the 8th SAARC Summit
held in New Delhi and facilitated media arrangements for the
meeting of SAARC Finance and Planning Ministers that took place
in the Indian capital in January 1996.
The XP Division also serves as a facilitation centre for foreign
journalists based in, or visiting, India. It assisted them in
getting accreditation as journalists, while facilitating their
visas and extension thereof. A few news organisations opened new
India-Bureaus. It also liaised with other 'Government Ministries
and Departments to process and facilitate proposals for the
making of documentary programmes by foreign producers in India.
Approximately, 240 such proposals were approved and cleared
during the year.
In keeping with developments in the international media scene,
the Division has been gearing itself to open dip a Home Page on
the Internet World Wide Web, utilise and exploit new information
technologies and contribute to the efforts to give Indian
television software a greater global reach and visibility through
the satellite and cable TV revolution.
-138>
Efforts continue to develop and refine a more purposeful
advertisement campaign projecting a new image of India as a
promising economic and business destination. Advertisements were
released in leading local and English newspapers in Kuala Lumpur
and in regional magazines like the Far Eastern Economic Review,
the Asian Wall Street Journal, etc during Prime Minister Shri P V
Narasimha Rao's visit to Malaysia in August 1995, in the "London
Times" on India's Independence Day, in the "Washington Post"
during the World Bank-IMF Meet and in leading American newspapers
during, the 50th Anniversary of the UN.
The nature and volume of media coverage of India has changed
significantly in recent times. While areas of adverse publicity
remain, the area of positive publicity has vastly improved. In
terms of domestic policies, an increasing acceptance of India as
a genuine functioning democracy has been accompanied by an
appreciation of India's ability to contain and weather formidable
domestic challenges. Economically, the liberalisation programme
has been the single greatest factor behind the interest in India
shown by the international media. The liberalisation measures
have been seen as releasing hitherto suppressed economic and
enterpreneurial energies and have placed India amongst a select
group of attractive investment destinations and emerging markets.
-139>
|
1995
Protocol
|
Top |
During the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996, Heads of
the Diplomatic Missions of the following thirty-five countries
presented their credentials to the President of India:-
|
1 | China | 19 Kazakhstan
| 2 | Norway | 20 Eritrea
| 3 | Ivory Coast | 21 Brazil
| 4 | Croatia | 22 Zambia
| 5 | Nepal | 23 Ireland
| 6 | Spain | 24 Mexico
| 7 | Turkmenistan | 25 Belgium
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 26 Finland
| 9 | Trinidad & Tobago | 27 Egypt
| 10 | Cambodia | 28 Tunisia
| 11 | Switzerland | 29 Japan
| 12 | Italy | 30 Jordan
| 13 | Panama | 31 Israel
| 14 | Bangladesh | 32 Turkey
| 15 | Zimbabwe | 33 Afghanistan
| 16 | Namibia | 34 Jamaica
| 17 | South Africa | 35 Nepal
| 18 | Yemen |
| -140>
|
| |
|
During the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996, Heads of
the Diplomatic Missions of the following twenty-five countries
left India on completion of their assignment:-
|
1 | Spain | 14 Tunisia
| 2 | Switzerland | 15 Belgium
| 3 | Italy | 16 Egypt
| 4 | Bangladesh | 17 Japan
| 5 | Yemen | 18 Israel
| 6 | Mexico | 19 Ethiopia
| 7 | Brazil | 20 Nepal
| 8 | Ireland | 21 Afghanistan
| 9 | Dominica | 22 United Kingdom
| 10 | Turkey | 23 Poland
| 11 | Finland | 24 European Community
| 12 | Zambia | 25 Romania
| 13 | Jordan |
|
|
| |
|
During the same period, there were numerous visits by VVIPs to
India at the level of Head of State/Government, Vice President,
Foreign Minister and other distinguished personalities. Details
are at Appendix XV. During the same period, there were 10
outgoing visits by the President, the Vice President and the
Prime Minister of India as per details at Appendix XVI.
The Conference Cell in the Protocol Division of the Ministry is
also responsible for organising international conferences. The
Conference Cell also extends logistic support and provides
consultancy services to other Ministries/Departments of the
Government of India in organising international conferences. A
list of conferences/meetings organised by the Conference Cell and
conferences organised by other Ministries/Departments where the
Cell extended assistance is given at Appendix XVII.
-141>
|
1995
Passport and Consular Services and Indians Overseas |
Top |
During the year 1995 (January-December), the 23 Regional
Passport Offices/Passport Offices in India issued 1754515
passports. Miscellaneous services like renewals, change of name,
inclusion of child's name, emigration clearance not required
(ECNR) stamp, amounted to 729963 in 1995, which is almost 50% of
the issue of fresh passports. Detailed input and output figures
for the year are at Appendix-VI. Statement showing the Revenue
and the Expenditure of Regional Passport Offices and Passport
Offices during the year is at Appendix-VIL
Due to a concerted effort by the Ministry to reduce the backlog
and provide efficient services to the public, total pendency in
Passport Offices was brought down to a reasonable level of 2.8
lakhs at the end of the year 1994. It has remained stabilised
around the same level at the end of 1995.
During the year 1995 while the overall emphasis was on reducing
pendency of passport applications, special attention was given to
certain offices, especially those in Punjab which had large
arrears due to long delays in issue of passports. Efforts were
directed at reducing the pendency in these Passport Offices and
reducing the time taken to issue passports. These efforts showed
good results and at the end of the year the delay in issue of
passports in Chandigarh and Jalandhar offices had been
considerably reduced.
-142>
Special measures have been initiated during the year for
streamlining procedures and systematisation of rules. Special
mention could be made of the following:-
(i) A simplified revised passport application form was introduced
during the year 1995. This new application form is clear and easy
to fill for the public.
(ii) Passport booklet in machine readable form conforming largely
to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
specifications has been introduced. Although machine printing and
machine readability will take time to be introduced, the
introduction of the booklet in machine readable format is a step
in the direction of achieving the twin objective of machine
printing of passports as also their machine readability.
(iii) Introduction of greater security features in the passport
booklet to make it less prone to fraud by unscrupulous elements.
(iv) Computerisation of more Passport Offices continued during
the year. The Passport Offices in Bangalore, Bombay, Chandigarh,
Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Madras, Trichy,
Trivandrum and Lucknow are now fully computerised.
(v) A "Jumbo". passport booklet having 60 pages has been
introduced for the sake of convenience of frequent travellers.
This step will obviate the need for persons required to
frequently travel on business trips etc to obtain additional visa
sheets or additional booklets.
(vi) Finalisation of the format of visa sticker is at an advanced
stage and it is expected that the visa stickers will be
introduced within the course of the next year.
The Passport Offices in Hyderabad and Jaipur moved to more
spacious and modern premises. Ministry is of the view that
improvement in the work environment and the facilities available
would result in greater productivity in the Passport Offices.
In an effort to provide better promotional prospects for the
Central Passport Organisation (CPO) staff, a Departmental
-143>
Promotion Committee under the Chairmanship of UPSC was held to
draw up a panel for the post of Public Relations Officer.
Following this meeting, 27 Superintendents have been promoted to
the post of Public Relations Officer.
A cadre review of the Central Passport Organisation was carried
out. The review is presently under consideration with the
Ministry of Finance.
A Collection Centre was opened in Amritsar in June 1995 to
facilitate deposit of passport applications for persons living in
that area. A Collection Centre in Mangalore started functioning
in January 1996.
Consular work remains an area of focus in Indian Missions abroad.
The Missions provide assistance to Indians in settling
differences with their sponsors, arrange for the repatriation of
destitute Indians, maintain contacts with Indians in foreign
jails and assist in formalities for performance of last rites or
return of the dead bodies of Indians to India who have died
abroad. With the growing number of Indians going abroad for
employment specially to the Gulf countries, consular work is an
area requiring constant attention of the Missions. Indian
Missions have regularly taken up with the governments in the
countries of their accreditation for redressal of general and
specific problems concerning Indians and for promotion of a
better working environment for Indian nationals.
Figures regarding various categories of cases where consular
services were provided in India and abroad may be seen at
Appendix VIII.
While problems of Indian nationals living abroad remain the main
focus of attention of Indian Missions abroad, the well-being of
persons of Indian origin are also followed carefully by the
Missions. Government is sensitive to the fact that even though
persons of Indian origin have acquired foreign nationality, they
have strong cultural bonds with India and need to nurture their
roots. Indian Missions all over the world maintain close contacts
with overseas Indian associations and associations of people of
Indian origin.
-144>
|
1995
Administration and Organisation |
Top |
Minister of External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee and
Ministers of State for External Affairs Shri R L Bhatia and Shri
Salman Khurshid continued to hold their respective portfolios.
During the year 1995-96, new Missions have been opened in
Bratislava (Slovak Republic) in August 1995 and Ouagadougou
(Burkina Faso) in October 1995. Consulates General were opened in
Houston (USA) in July 1995 and Glasgow (UK) in September 1995.
Indian Mission in Kabul (Afghanistan) was reopened in May 1995.
The Government of India has also decided to open Missions in
Zagreb (Croatia), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) and a Consulate
General in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Action to open these
Missions/Posts is underway. At present Government of India has as
many as 154 Resident Missions/Posts abroad. The total strength of
IFS(A) and IFS(B) cadre is 3,580 including some posts on the
budget of Ministry of Commerce as well as those posts which are
held in abeyance or ex-cadred. Details are in Appendix X. The
details of officers qualified in different foreign languages is
at Appendix XI. A statement showing appointments made in various
groups in the Ministry and data on reservations during the year
1995 may be seen in Appendix XII. A list of Heads of Missions who
took over charge since April 1995 is given at Appendix IX.
-145>
On the recommendation of the Estimates Committee, a 4-member
Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri S M H Burney has
been appointed to review the recruitment system of the Indian
Foreign Service.
The area of responsibility of the Establishment Division
comprises purchase/construction/renting of property for the
offices of the Ministry and its subordinate units as also
residential accommodation for the officers and members of staff
working in Missions/Posts abroad. In addition, the Establishment
Division looks after maintenance of government owned properties
abroad, liaison with the CPWD for maintenance of Ministry's
office buildings in India, determination of allowances payable to
the officials serving in Missions/Posts abroad, purchase of
office equipment, stationery, furniture and Objects d'Art for the
Ministry and Indian Missions. A summary of the major tasks
undertaken by the Establishment Division in 1995-96 is given in
the succeeding paragraphs.
In keeping with Ministry's policy to acquire/construct properties
abroad, with a view to minimising expenditure on rentals,
Ministry instructed those Missions where rental liabilities were
the highest, to locate suitable properties for purchase. As a
result of sustained efforts, properties were purchased in Kiev
and Kampala (Chancery buildings), and residences in The Hague
(Counsellor's residence), Bangkok (apartments for First
Secretaries), Berne (apartment for Attache) and Brussels
(apartment for First Secretary). Other purchase proposals were
also actively considered in the Ministry from Missions/Posts at
Prague (Embassy Residence), Glasgow (Chancery and Consul
General's residence), Houston (Consul General's residence), Rome
(Chancery-cum-residential premises), Frankfurt (Chancery), Berlin
(plot) and Wellington (Chancery). These could not be finalised
due to non-fulfilment of financial and administrative
requirements as also non-availability of funds.
Construction work on Riyadh project (Chancery, Embassy Residence
and 44 residences) progressed on schedule and is expected to be
completed in March 1996. Construction of the boundary wall for
the Indian Cultural Centre in Mauritius was completed in June
1995. Construction of the boundary wall
-146>
for Foreign Service Institute in the old JNU Campus was started
in December 1995 and construction work on the main project is
expected to begin by April 1996. Other construction projects
under process relate to Indian Missions in Mauritius, Abu Dhabi,
Beijing, Brasilia, Dhaka, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Minsk, Moscow,
ICCR Complex at Calcutta, construction of building of the
Ministry of External Affairs office on Janpath, housing project
in Papankala and Chanakyapuri. Implementation of the above
projects would depend upon fulfilment of administrative and
financial requirements and availability of budgetary resources.
During the year 1995, the Regional Passport Office in Cochin
shifted into a new building. The interior works for the new
building for the Regional Passport Office in Hyderabad has also
been taken up and the one in Kozhikode is near completion.
Ministry has also acquired a 3 acre land for construction of its
Passport Office in Bangalore.
A pilot project of computer networking that was initiated last
year was taken up for implementation. Computer cabling of South
Block was completed and the required hardware has been installed.
The network is proposed to be connected to the telex room to
enable officers to receive/send telex messages from their own
computers. In the next phase, it is proposed to link South Block
network to other buildings of the Ministry and later on to Indian
Missions/Posts abroad through E-mail using NIC's NICNET.
Additional hardware was purchased for headquarters and approvals
were accorded to Missions/Posts abroad for purchase of required
hardware locally. In a significant development in the
computerisation programme of the Ministry, the delegation of
financial powers to Heads of Indian Missions abroad were enhanced
to avoid frequent references to the Ministry on such purchases.
Revision of existing rules on other matters pertaining to
Establishment Division are also under active consideration. As a
result of this, rules pertaining to life span of government-owned
furniture in Missions were revised. Similarly an exercise is
underway to revise rules pertaining to prescribed space norms for
construction and purchase of properties, and
-147>
also for comprehensive insurance of official vehicles in Missions
aboad.
The Foreign Service Inspectors' team inspected Indian Missions in
Tripoli, Rabat, Madrid, Lisbon, Bogota, Caracas, Santiago,
Brasilia, Paramaribo, Dhaka, Kathmandu and Thimpu till end-
November 1995 to assess the qualitative and quantitative aspects
of the functioning of these Missions.
-148>
|
1995
Foreign Service Institute
|
Top |
|
The Foreign Service Institute continued its regular activities
during the year 1995. Stress was laid on improvement of the
quality and content of each course based on past experience and
to suit the changing requirements. This was achieved by giving
more attention to qualitative performance in different areas.
The following courses were held in the year under report:
Professional Course in Diplomacy and International Relations for
Indian Foreign Service Probationers (1994 Batch);
Basic Professional Course for IFS(B) personnel posted abroad;
Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats;
Familiarisation Programme for Resident Foreign Diplomats;
Induction Course for Freshly Recruited Personal Assistants;
Computer Course;
Language Courses;
Hindi Typing Course for MEA officials; and
Orientation Course for Non-MEA Officers.
-149>
The year-long Professional Course in Diplomacy and International
Relations for 15 IFS Probationers of the 1994 batch consisted of
the following modules: Diplomatic Practice & Protocol;
International Relations; India's Foreign Policy; Multilateral
Diplomacy; International Law; Administration, Establishment,
Finance and Accounts; Cultural Diplomacy; External Publicity;
International Economic Environment; Commercial Work;
Parliamentary Procedures & Proceedings; Representational Skills;
Hindi; Consular work; Economic Reforms; Regional Economic
Groupings; Assignments/Projects; Communication and Security;
Management Skills; French Language; Attachment with the Armed
Forces; Computer Appreciation and Driving. The Institute also
organised District Training Programme for the IFS Probationers
during the year. The probationers went on a study tour to Jammu &
Kashmir and to the India-Tibet border.
Officials of the Ministry upto the rank of Section Officers
posted abroad attended the Basic Professional Courses which cover
all aspects of functioning in Missions abroad. As part of this
Course, six short courses on computer appreciation, word
processing and data base management were organised so as to
enable the participants to familiarise themselves with modern
office management tools and techniques.
Based on the language need of the country of posting, eleven
language courses were also arranged for IFS(B) personnel, one in
German, three each in French and Russian and four in Arabic.
Language tapes and books have been provided on demand and
individual officials and their families have taken advantage of
the facilities available in the Language Laboratory. Special
English coaching classes have also been arranged for the
participants of the PCFDs.
The Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) arranged by
the FSI has become popular over the years. The course design
covers the following areas: Introduction to Diplomacy;
International Relations; Regional Focus on East Asia, South-East
Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, North America, West
Europe, East Europe and Russia, Africa; Special Focus on India;
International Law and New Areas of International Relations;
International Organisations; International
-150>
Economic Relations and Commercial Diplomacy; Defence and
Security; Diplomatic Practice and Protocol; International
Communications and Information Technology; Communication Skills;
International Negotiations; Management Concepts and Techniques;
Cultural Diplomacy; Representational Skills; Computer
Appreciation. The PCFD held from 9 October to 15 December 1995
was attended by 26 diplomats from Belarus, Bhutan, Ghana, Guyana,
Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Laos PDR, Latvia, Lebanon,
Lithuania, Malawi, Moldova, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Oman, Sri,
Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda,
Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The 8th PCFD was organised from
18 March to 12 April 1996 exclusively for 27 senior diplomats
from South Africa.
A Familiarisation Programme for Resident Foreign Diplomats in New
Delhi was held from 4 to 8 September 1995. A total of 29
Diplomats from 19 Countries and 5 UN and International
Organisations attended the same. An induction Course for freshly
recruited Personal Assistants was conducted in the current year.
The course covered areas such as Administration, Establishment
and Finance as well as Computer Appreciation. The Institute
conducted one Hindi typing course during the year in which 14
officials qualified. Orientation Programmes were organised for
Non-MEA Officers proceeding abroad to join Indian Missions.
The FSI continued to maintain contacts with other training
institutes abroad. Dean (FSI) participated in the meeting of the
Association of Directors and Deans of Diplomatic Academies and
Institutes of International Relations (ADDAIR) in Vienna in
September 1995.
The FSI organised periodic meetings of Foreign Secretary and
other Secretaries with scholars, foreign policy specialists and
media analysts for discussions on major policy issues.
-151>
|
1995
Implementation of Official Language Policy andPropagation of Hindi Abroad |
Top |
During the year under review, efforts were made to implement
the Official Language Policy of the Government of India and to
propagate Hindi abroad. The implementation position of the
Official Language Policy has been reviewed from time to time.
During the year under review, a Hindi module for Indian Foreign
Service probationers of 1994 batch was organised.
The three sub-committees of the Committee of Parliament on
Official Language inspected some Indian Missions abroad with a
view to assessing the implementation of Official Language Policy
therein.
With a view to creating an atmosphere conducive to the use of
Hindi in official work, 'Hindi Week' was observed and various
competitions organised at Headquarters as well as in some of the
Indian Missions abroad and Passport Offices in India.
The Ministry made arrangements for Hindi translation and typing
for 2 weeks during the 50th session of UN General Assembly to
help the non-official members of Indian delegation.
-152>
The Ministry continued to be actively engaged in propagation of
Hindi abroad through Indian Missions. As in the past, Standard
Hindi literature comprising books in Hindi on Indian art,
history, culture, literature, language, religion, philosophy, etc
was sent to specific Indian Missions abroad for their library and
for gifting to educational and voluntary organisations engaged in
teaching Hindi. The year 1995-96 saw an upsurge of interest taken
by foreigners in Hindi as reflected in the demands for teaching
aid material, text books, dictionaries, typewriters, etc received
from a number of Indian Missions. In addition to Hindi classes
for foreigners being conducted by Indian Missions in Budapest,
Ulaan Baatar, Port-of-Spain, proposals for starting Hindi classes
by Indian Missions in Tehran and Zagreb were also approved. Hindi
text books, audio cassettes for learning Hindi, dictionaries, etc
were sent in large numbers to Indian Missions in Colombo,
Tripoli, The Hague, Paramaribo, Vladivostok, Kathmandu, Damascus,
Bonn, Wellington, Houston, etc. Indian Missions in Kathmandu,
Port Louis, Colombo, Paramaribo, Budapest, Seoul and The Hague
were particularly active in promoting Hindi by organising Hindi
competition, gifting Hindi books, typewriters, etc to local
organisations and individuals. A one time grant of Rs 10,00,000
was sanctioned for Hindi Speaking Union, a recently formed non-
governmental organisation in Mauritius. Support was also extended
to the cause of Hindi abroad by sponsoring delegations for the
Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Hindi Pracharini Sabha,
Mauritius and First anniversary celebrations of the Hindi
Speaking Union, Mauritius.
On a specific request from the Hindi Nidhi of Trinidad who are
organising the Vth World Hindi Conference from 4 to 8 April 1996
in Trinidad, the Government of India is extending assistance to
them in certain key areas such as putting up a book-cum-photo
exhibition, bringing out a souvenir from Indian side, deputing
cultural troupes, screening of classical Hindi films, getting the
banners and badges made for the said conference, etc.
-153>
|
1995
Cultural Relations |
Top |
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was formally
set up in 1950 with the primary objective of establishing,
reviving and strengthening cultural relations and mutual
understanding between India and other countries. The Council has
worked steadfastly towards the attainment of these objectives.
The main activities of the Council are:
Administration of scholarship schemes on behalf of the Government
of India for international students;
Exchange of scholars, academicians, opinion-makers, artists and
writers;
Exchange of exhibitions;
Exchange of performing arts groups;
Organisation of and participation in seminars and symposia;
Administration of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award;
Organisation of the Maulana Azad Memorial Lecture and the Maulana
Azad Essay Competition;
Maintaining Indian Cultural Centres abroad and supporting special
bilateral programmes;
Establishing and maintaining Chairs and Professorships for India
Studies abroad;
-154>
Publications; and
Presentation of books/musical instruments.
Scholarships and Welfare of International Students
One of the important activities of the Council was the continued
implementation of the scholarship programme. The Council offers
about 1000 scholarships annually under its various scholarship
schemes for studies in graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral
programmes as well as for pursuing professional courses such as
medicine, engineering and pharmacy.
The scholarship programme fulfils an important role in building
bridges of understanding and developing better appreciation of
India. The thrust of the scholarship programme is towards the
developing nations with a special focus on India's neighbours in
South Asia. As many as 1000 new students were admitted this year
from 60 different countries. The largest contingent of around 300
scholars was received from the neighbouring countries, namely,
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The general welfare of international students is also a part of
the ICCR mandate. In pursuance of this, the Council organised
various activities throughout the year to familiarise the
international students with the political, economic, social and
cultural milieu of India, besides helping them to make friends
through shared experiences. The major activities are listed
below:
(i) A cultural programme for international students was organised
in New Delhi on 11 November 1995 on the occasion of the birth
anniversary of the founder President of the ICCR Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad. Overseas scholars from different countries presented
performances of music and dance from their countries. The
programme was attended by 4000 students from all over the
country. Indian Missions abroad also celebrated 11 November as
International Students Day;
(ii) Two educational tours to Bombay and Goa were organised for
90 international students studying in various
-155>
universities throughout India from 22 February to 5 March 1995.
Apart from visiting historical and educational monuments during
the tours, the students also called on high-ranking political
dignitaries;
(iii) A visit to the Parliament was organised for 72
international students on 15 March 1995 to watch the proceedings
of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha with the objective of
providing them with first-hand experience of the functioning of
the Indian democratic system;
(iv) Two summer camps were organised in June 1995 in Kullu-Manali
and Bangalore-Ooty for overseas scholars;
(v) An All India International Students Advisors' meeting was
organised in New Delhi on 5 April 1995 to review and discuss
matters relating to the placement and welfare of international
students, streamlining of admission procedures, and exploring
ways to solve the accommodation problem; and
(vi) A decision has been made to revise the scholarship stipends
and other allowances of international students commensurate with
the rising cost. The new rates would be at par with rates for
University Grants Commission scholars. The decision is being
implemented retrospectively for the 1995-96 academic year.
Performing Arts
In 1995 the Council's programme of strengthening India's
relations with other countries through cultural exchanges was
specially directed towards Russia, Central Asia and South-East
Asia.
The Council presented a major programme of Russian performing
arts under the "Days of Russian Culture in India" which was
organised from 2 to 17 December 1995. The Prime Minister Shri P V
Narasimha Rao inaugurated the programme at a special function on
1 December 1995 alongwith the Vice-Premier of the Russian
Federation Yuri F Yarov. The events included performances by the
renowned Russian Kremlin Ballet
-156>
and the Russian Circus. The groups performed in several cities in
India, including Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore, Goa,
Ahmedabad, Pune, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Gwalior. Earlier, ICCR
presented a mixed music and dance ensemble from Turkmenistan from
7 to 14 June 1995.
"Days of Vietnamese Culture" were organised by ICCR in September
1995. The events included an exhibition of Vietnamese handicrafts
and performances by a cultural troupe from Vietnam which
presented programmes in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
Performing arts troupes from the Central Asia Republics and
Mongolia gave special performances from 17 to 19 December 1995 in
Delhi, coinciding with a major seminar on Central Asia sponsored
by ICCR.
The focus of ICCR's outgoing promotional activities in 1995 was
Thailand where a year-long Festival of India was inaugurated by
Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn and the then
Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Madhavrao Scindhia on
13 December 1995. The Festival which includes a concert by Pandit
Ravi Shankar, an exhibition of Shri M F Hussain's paintings and a
play on the life of Emperor Ashok amongst others, is part of the SSSS
50th anniversary celebrations of the accession to the throne of
His Majesty King Bhumibhol of Thailand. The theme of the Festival
highlights the Buddhist message of tolerance and peaceful co-
existence.
ICCR also arranged to send folk dance and music ensemble to North
Korea where a folk dance performance was held at the "13th April
Spring Friendship Art Festival" At Pyong Yang. The ensemble
subsequently visited Mongolia and had a performance in Ulaan
Baatar.
A 12-member folk dance and music group led by Kohinoor Langa from
Rajasthan performed from 28 June to 2 July 1995 in Russia,
Byelorussia, Estonia, Germany, Finland and finally in Minsk to
participate in the Krasnoyarsk Festival of Folk Dance and Music
held there.
Among Indian musicians who were deputed abroad for performances,
mention may be made of well-known play-back
-157>
singer from Bombay Shri Sonu Nigam who performed in Kyrghyzstan
in August 1995 in connection with the 1000th anniversary of the
Epic 'MANAS'.
The dance group of Smt Usha Venkateshwaran was sent to perform at
the Art Summit 1995 held between 7 November and 28 November 1995
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence
Day.
In addition to these programmes and special programmes for VVIPs
(details in Appendix XXV), the Council continued to sponsor
visits of incoming and outgoing cultural Troupes. During the
period from April to December 1995 the Council sponsored the
visits of 33 cultural troupes to countries in Asia, Europe, South
America, North America and South Africa (Appendix XXIII). During
April to December 1995 the Council also received 16 cultural
troupes from countries all over the world. (Appendix XXIV).
Exhibitions
The Council sponsored an exhibition of paintings, drawings and
manuscripts by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore for the Tagore Week
held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 21 to 26 May 1995. A
number of films based on Tagore's works were also sent for
screening. The Council sent a Photographic Exhibition of Mughal
monuments and publications on Islam in India to the Istiklal
Mosque Festival held in Jakarta on the occasion of the 50th
anniversary of Indonesian Independence. Exhibitions were also
held in Panama, Guyana, UK and Germany. An exhibition of
Vietnamese handicrafts was presented by the Council at the Lalit
Kala Akademi Gallery during October 1995. The Council presented
sculptured busts of Mahatma Gandhiji to USA, Panama and Norway
under its presentation programme. (Details are given in Appendix
XXVI)
|
Seminars
An important component of the Council's activities involves the
holding of seminars and discussions to build and foster a better
understanding between India and other countries.
-158>
Several international seminars were organised in 1995 focussing
on Central Asia and South-East Asia.
A Seminar on "Central Asian Geo-Politics" in collaboration with
the Society of Geo-politics, Chandigarh was held from 3 to 10
December 1995 in Chandigarh. Another Seminar on India and Central
Asia was organised in Delhi from 17 to 20 December 1995 alongwith
the Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation. The seminar was
attended by important Government dignitaries, experts and
academicians "from all the Central Asian Republics. The Seminar
discussed ways of strengthening political, economic and cultural
links between India and Central Asia.
A seminar on "Continuities and Convergences in the performing
Arts Traditions in South and South-East Asia" was held in
Calcutta on 11 and 12 December 1995. Eminent Academics from India
and South-East Asia participated in the seminar. The Council
organised a seminar and workshop in collaboration with the
British Council and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI) on 8 and 9 September 1995 with business
leaders, industrialists, artists, administrators and policy-
makers primarily to discuss relationships between sponsors and
promoters of arts.
ICCR alongwith the India International Centre also organised a
seminar on "Culture and Sustainable Development". The inaugural
address was given by the Nobel Prize winning scientist Ilya
Prigogine.
Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding
The Council functions as the Secretariat for the Jawaharlal Nehru
Award for International Understanding. The Jury for the Award
nominated the pro-democracy leader from Myanmar Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi for the prestigious award for 1993. The Presentation ceremony
took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 14 November 1995
on Nehru's birthday. The award was accepted on her behalf by Daw
Than E, a close family friend of Aung San Suu Kyi. A special
video-taped acceptance address from Aung San Suu Kyi was shown
during the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
-159>
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial Lecture
This lecture series instituted in 1958 has continued with persons
of eminence and stature delivering the lecture. The 30th Memorial
Lecture on the subject "Asia in the 21st Century" was delivered
on 19 December 1995 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri
Lanka Lakshman Kadirgamar.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Essay Competition
The Council organises an Essay Competition annually for citizens
of SAARC countries below the age of 30, years. The Essay "Maulana
Azad and Secularism" was the topic for the 1993-94 Essay
Competition. The Prize winners were given a certificate and a
cash award of Rs 10,000/- each at a ceremony at Rashtrapati
Bhavan on 11 November 1995 by the President of India. The topics
for the year 1994-95 Essay Competition are "Your Vision Of The
Future Of South Asia And How Such A Future Can Be Realised" in
English, 'Maulana Ki Nazron Mein Shiksha Aur Sanskritt' in Hindi
and "Maulana Azad's Concept Of Education" in Urdu. The essays
received from participants in India and other SAARC countries are
currently being evaluated.
Visitors Programme
During the period April to November 1995, the Council sponsored
and assisted visits of 58 Indian scholars, intellectuals,
academicians and artists to participate in seminars, symposia,
study tours and conferences abroad (details in Appendix XXVII).
During the same period the Council received 29 visitors from 20
countries under the distinguished visitors programme (details in
Appendix XXVIII).
Publications
As part of its publication programme the Council brought out
several issues during the year. These included a special issue of
the Africa Quarterly entitled "Mightier Than The Machete" on
African Literature. A special issue of the Spanish Quarterly on
India's links with the Hispanic World entitled "Distant Seas,
Near Voices" was brought out on the occasion of the international
Hispanic Conference held in Delhi in
-160>
November 1995. The French Quarterly also brought out a special
issue on Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 125th Birth
Anniversary.
Publications of journals already brought out in different
languages by the Council, namely, "Indian Horizons", "Africa
Quarterly" (English), "Gagananchal" (Hindi), "Recontre Avec l'
Inde" -(French), "Papeles de la India" (Spanish) and "Thaqafat-
ul-Hind" (Arabic) continued during the period. A new German
quarterly has also been added to the list of publications with a
special issue on Mahatma Gandhi-125 years. Of other publications
brought out, mention may be made of a special issue on Indian
Cinema entitled "Reflections on Indian Cinema" and on Children's
literature entitled "Telling Tales".
ICCR Library
The ICCR Library Houses Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's entire personal
collection of books and manuscripts. Under a programme of
preservation, rare books and manuscripts from this collection are
being laminated. This year 300 such documents were covered.
Presentation of Books/Musical Instruments
During the period April-December 1995 the Council gifted 2335
books to institutions, distinguished persons, academicians and
opinion makers from 76 countries under its Presentation
Programme. This excludes gifts of books published by the Council.
In addition, the Council presented 214 musical instruments, 275
art objects including audio/video tapes to institutions from 27
countries. ICCR prepared a special presentation set of five
lecture demonstration Video cassettes on Indian classical dance
forms which have been supplied to Indian Cultural Centres and
Missions abroad (Appendix XXX).
Cultural Centres Abroad
To promote greater awareness and appreciation of India's
composite culture abroad, the Council has set up Cultural Centres
in Georgetown (Guyana), Jakarta (Indonesia), Moscow (Russia),
Port Louis (Mauritius), Paramaribo (Suriname), Cairo (Arab
Republic of Egypt), Berlin (Germany),
-161>
London (UK), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Almaty (Kazakhstan). A
Cultural Centre at Johannesburg (South Africa) has also been
opened, with a branch office at Durban. A proposal has also been
mooted for establishing a Cultural Centre in Port of Spain
(Trinidad & Tobago).
The activities of the Cultural Centres reflect the needs of the
local population. In all these Centres for instance, with the
exception of the ones in Berlin and London, Indian music, dance
and languages are taught. The Centres at Moscow, Cairo,
Paramaribo, Mauritius and Jakarta also conduct courses on Yoga.
All Centres have libraries and reading rooms and organise
lectures, symposia, exhibitions, performances of dance and music,
screening of films and publication of news bulletins. The Centres
develop and maintain contacts with the local citizens,
particularly students, teachers, academicians, policy makers and
cultural personalities.
Regional Offices
Regional Offices of the Council are situated in Bombay,
Bangalore, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Madras, Chandigarh, Lucknow and
Calcutta to coordinate regional work and to establish regular
contacts with the State cultural bodies as well as to assist the
international students of the area for admission and other
activities. Throughout the year, the Regional Offices carried out
various programmes in cooperation with the State and zonal
cultural centres for the benefit of international students and
promotion of culture.
Visiting Professors and Chairs of India Studies Abroad
The Council deputes visiting professors to teach Indology, Indian
languages and other related subjects abroad. Deputation of
professors abroad is done under the bilateral cultural exchange
programmes and where institutional arrangements exist with ICCR.
ICCR presently has arranged deputation of 17 professors for
teaching Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Anthropology and Sociology as
per list at Appendix XXIX.
Indo-US Sub-Commission on Education and Culture
The Council functions as the Secretariat for the Indo-US Sub-
Commission on Education and Culture. The annual joint
-162>
meeting of the Indo-US Sub-Commission was held in New York in
April 1995. The Indian Delegation was led by the Co-Chairman of
the Sub-Commission Shri Ram Niwas Mirdha.
Administration
ICCR has undertaken a major effort to renovate its office
premises including the Auditorium and Art Gallery. Upgradation of
office equipment and computerisation and networking have also
been undertaken.
-163>
|
1995
APPENDICES |
Top |
Ministry of External Affairs-List of Divisions.
Specialised. and Support Divisions
1 Administration Division
2 Bureau of Security
3 Coordination Division
4 CPV & OI Division
5 Economic Division
6 Establishment Division
7 External Publicity Division
8 Finance Division
9 Foreign Service Institute
10 Investment Publicity Unit
11 Legal & Treaties Division
12 MER Division
13 Policy Planning & Research Division
14 Protocol (including Conference Division)
15 Special Kuwait Cell
16 SAARC Division
17 Special Unit
18 UN Division
Territorial Divisions
1 Africa Division
2 AMS Division
3 BSM Division
4 Central Asia Division
5 East Asia Division
6 Europe East Division
7 Europe West Division
8 Gulf Division (including Haj Cell)
9 IPA Division
10 LAC Division
11 Northern Division
12 Southern Division
13 WANA Division
-167>
|
1995
APPENDIX-II Division-wise List of Countries and Regions
|
|
Ministry of External Affairs-Division-wise List of Countries and Regions.
AFRICA DIVISION
|
1 | Angola | 16 Gabon | 31 Nigeria
| 2 | Benin | 17 Gambia | 32 Rwanda
| 3 | Botswana | 18 Ghana | 33Sao Tome&Principe
| 4 | Burkina Faso | 19 Guinea | 34 Senegal
| 5 | Burundi | 20 Guinea Bissau | 35 Seychelles
| 6 | Cameroon | 21 Kenya | 36 Sierra Leone
| 7 | Cape Verde Islands | 22 Lesotho | 37 South Africa
| 8 | Central African Republic | 23 Liberia | 38 Swaziland
| 9 | Chad | 24 Madagascar | 39 Tanzania
| 10 | Comoros | 25 Malawi | 40 Togo
| 11 | Congo | 26 Mali | 41 Uganda
| 12 | Cote d'Ivoire | 27 Mauritius. | 42 Zaire
| 13 | Equatorial Guinea | 28 Mozambique | 43 Zambia
| 14 | Eritre | 29 Namibia | 44 Zimbabwe
| 15 | Ethiopia | 30 Niger |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
AMS DIVISION
|
1 | Canada | 2 United States | 3 The Bahamas of America
|
|
| |
|
BSM DIVISION
|
1 | Bangladesh | 3 Myanmar | 4 Sri Lanka
| 2 | Maldives | |
|
|
| |
|
CENTRAL ASIA DIVISION
|
1 | Azerbaijan | 4 Tajikistan | 6 Turkmenistan
| 2 | Kazakhstan | 5 Turkey | 7 Uzbekistan
| 3 | Kyrghyzstan | |
| -168>
|
|
| |
|
EAST ASIA DIVISION
|
1 | China | 4 Mongolia | 7 Taiwan
| 2 | Hong Kong | 5 North Korea |
| 3 | Japan | 6 South Korea |
|
|
| |
|
EE DIVISION
|
1 | Albania | 10 Hungary | 15 Poland
| 2 | Armenia | 11 Latvia | 16 Romania
| 3 | Belarus | 12 Lithuania | 17 Russia
| 4 | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 13 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) | 18 Slovak Republic
| 5 | Bulgaria | | 19 Slovenia
| 6 | Croatia | | 20 Ukraine
| 7 | Czech Republic | 21 Yugoslavia(FYR-Serbia and Montenegro)
| 8 | Estonia | 14 Moldova |
| 9 | Georgia | |
|
| |
|
EW DIVISION
|
1 | Andorra | 10 Germany, Federal | 18 Malta
| 2 | Austria | Republic of | 19 Netherlands
| 3 | Belgium | 11 Greece | 20 Norway
| 4 | Commonwealth | 12 Holy See, The | 21 Portugal
| 5 | Cyprus | 13 Iceland | 22 San Marino
| 6 | Denmark | 14 Ireland | 23 Spain
| 7 | European Union | 15 Italy | 24 Sweden
| 8 | Finland | 16 Liechtenstein | 25 Switzerland
| 9 | France | 17 Luxemberg | 26 United Kingdom of Great Britain
|
|
| |
|
GULF DIVISION (INCLUDING HAJ CELL)
|
1 | Bahrain | 4 Oman | 7 Saudi Arabia
| 2 | Iraq | 5 Qatar | 8 United Arab Emirates
| 3 | Kuwait | 6 Republic of Yemen |
| -169>
|
| |
|
IPA DIVISION
|
1 | Afghanistan | 2 Iran | 3 Pakistan
|
| |
|
LAC DIVISION
|
1 | Anguilla | 14 Dominican Republic | 27 Panama
| 2 | Antigua & Barbuda | 15 Ecuador | 28 Paraguay
| 3 | Argentina | 16 El Salvador | 29 Peru
| 4 | Barbados | 17 Grenada | 30 St Christopher
| 5 | Belize | 18 Guatemala | and Nevis
| 6 | Bolivia | 19 Guyana | 31 St Lucia
| 7 | Brazil | 20 Haiti | 32 St Vincent and the
| 8 | Cayman Islands | 21 Honduras | Grenadines
| 9 | Chile | 22 Jamaica | 33 Suriname
| 10 | Colombia | 23 Netherlands | 34 Trinidad & Tobago Antilles
| 11 | Costa Rica | 24 Mexico | 35 Turks and Caicos Islands
| 12 | Cuba | 25 Montserrat |
| 13 | Commonwealth of Dominica | 26 Nicaragua | 36 Uruguay
| 37 | Venezuela | |
|
|
| |
|
NORTHERN DIVISION |
|
SOUTHERN DIVISION
|
1 | Australia | 9 Nauru | 17 Solomon Islands
| 2 | Brunei | 10 New Caledonia | 18 Tavalu
| 3 | Cambodia | 11 New Zealand | 19 Thailand
| 4 | Fiji | 12 Palau | 20 Tonga
| 5 | Indonesia | 13 Papua New Guinea | 21 UN Trust Territories
| 6 | Kiribati | 14 Philippines | in South Pacific
| 7 | Laos | 15 Singapore | 22 Vanuatu
| 8 | Malaysia | 16 Society Islands | 23 Vietnam
| | | | 24 Western Samoa
|
| |
|
-170> |
WANA DIVISION |
1 | Algeria | 7 League of Arab 13 SADR (Sahrawi States Arab Democratic Republic)
| 2 | Arab Maghreb Union | 8 Lebanon |
| 3 | Djibouti | 9 Libya | 14 Somalia
| 4 | Egypt | 10 Mauritania | 15 Sudan
| 5 Israel | 11 Morocco | 16 Syria
| 6 Jordan | 12 Palestine | 17 Tunisia
|
| -171>
|
| |
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-III Treaties/Conventions/Agreements concluded or renewed by India
|
Treaties/Conventions/Agreements concluded or renewed by India with other coun
tries in
1995-96.(*)
|
S NO TITLE OF CONVENTIONS/ DATE OF DATE OF DATE OF
TREATIES/AGREEMENTS SIGNATURE/ RATIFICATION/ ENTRY
ETC ADOPTION ACCESSION OR INTO
ACCEPTANCE FORCE
| MULTILATERAL
|
1 Agreement for the Estab- 13.3.1995
lishment of the Indian Ocean
Tuna Commission approved by
the Council of Food and Agri-
culture Organisation (FAO) at
its Hundred and Fifth Session
on 25 November 1993
2 The Agreement on SAARC 11.4.1993 22.8.1995 7.12.1995
Preferential Trading Arrange-
ment (SAPTA)
3 Grains Trade Convention 1995, 27.6.1995 1.7.1995
adopted at London on
7.12.1994
4 United Nations Convention 10.12.1982 29.6.1995 29.6.1995
on the Law of the Sea, 1982
5 The Agreement Relating to the 29.7.1994 29.6.1995 29.6.1995
Implementation of Part XI of
the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea, 1982
6 The Agreement Establishing 18.9.1995
the International Institute
for Democracy and Electoral
Assistance, adopted at
Stockholm on 27.2.1995
7 Memorandum of Understanding 21.11.1995
Concerning Conservation
Measures for the Siberian
Cranes
8 International Convention on 18.10.1995 18.10.1995
Salvage 1989 adopted at
London on 28.4.1989
9 Resolution A. 724 (17) amen- 18.10,1995 18.10.1995
ding International Maritime
Organisation Convention of
International Maritime
Organisation Assembly adopted
on 7.11.1991
* This list is not exhaustive.
-172>
10 Resolution A. 735 (18) amend- 14.11.1995 14.11.1995
ing the International Mari-
time Organisation Convention
of International Maritime
Organisation Assembly adopted
on 4.11.1993
TRIPARTITE
11 Agreement on the determina- 27.10.1993 8.9.1994 24.5.1995
tion of the trijunction point
between India, Myanmar and
Thailand in the Andaman Sea
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
12 Memorandum of Understanding 22.6.1995
between the Government of the
Republic of India and the
International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC)
13 Agreement between the Govern- 5.7.1995
ment of India and the UN
World Food Programme to
provide Food Assistance under
ICDS scheme
14 Recognising the International 14.9.1995 14.9.1995
Legal Personality of the
International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI)
BILATERAL
Armenia
15 Agreement between the Govern 14.12.1995 14.12.1995
ment of the Republic of India
and the Government on the
Republic of Armenia on Coope-
ration in the spheres of Cul-
ture, Arts, Education, Tou-
rism, Sports and Mass-Media
16 Treaty of Friendship and 14.12.1995
Cooperation between the Re-
public of India and the Re-
public of Armenia
17 Agreement between the Govern- 14.12.1995 14.12.1995
ment of the Republic of India
and the Government of the Re-
public of Armenia on Economic
and Technical Cooperation
-173>
Bangladesh
18 Protocol on Inland Water 22.8.1995 4.10.1995
Transit and Trade
Bhutan
19 Agreement on Trade and 28.2.1995 2.3.1995
Commerce between the Govern-
ment of the Republic of India
and the Government of the
Kingdom of Bhutan Brazil
20 Memorandum of Understanding 30.8.1995 30.8.1995
between the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research and the
Brazilian Agriculture
Research Corporation
21 Joint Indo-Brazilian Decla- 27.1.1996 27.1.1996
ration
Brunei
22 Air Services Agreement bet- 6.11.1995
ween Government of India and
Brunei
Burkina Faso
23 Trade Agreement between the 4.11.1995
Government of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Burkina Faso
Cambodia
24 Memorandum of Understanding 18.1.1996 18.1.1996
on Economic and Technical
Cooperation between the
Government of the Republic of
India and the Government of
Cambodia
25 Cultural Agreement between 31.1.1996 31.1.1996
the Government of the Re-
public of India and the
Government of the Kingdom
of Cambodia
Canada
26 Treaty between the Government 24.10.1994 15.6.1995 25.10.1995
of Canada and the Government
of the Republic of India on
Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters
27 Memorandum of Understanding 11.1.1996 11.1.1996
between the Department of
Industry of Canada and the
Ministry of Communications of
India on Cooperation in Tele-
communications
-174>
Chile
28 Agreement between the Govern- 2.6.1995 2.6.1995
ments of India and Chile to
institutionalise their bila-
teral annual consultation at
the foreign office level
China
29 Agreement between the Govern- 17.6.1995
ments of India and China to
cooperate in the field of
Health and Family Welfare
Colombia
30 Memorandum of Understanding 21.4.1995 21.4.1995
between the Government of Re-
public of India and the
Government of the Republic of
Colombia to hold Bilateral
Annual Consultations
Cuba
31 Cultural and Educational Ex- 25.9.1995 25.9.1995
change Programme between the
Government of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of Cuba for the
year 1995-97 (Pursuant to
Cultural Agreement signed on
21.7.1976 between India and
Cuba)
Denmark
32 Protocol on Consultations 6.9.1995 6.9.1995
between Ministry of External
Affairs of India and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Denmark
33 Bilateral Investment Protec- 6.9.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between India and Denmark
34 Agreement for the Tied and 7.9.1995 7.9.1995
Credit Line for Private Wind
Farms made between the Presi-
dent of India and Danish
Export Finance Corporation,
Denmark
35 Agreement between the Govern- 19.12.1995 19.12.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of the Kingdom of
Denmark relating to Air
Services
-175>
Egypt
36 Protocol of Cooperation in 19.4.1995 19.4.1995
the field of Radio and Tele-
vision between the All India
Radio, Doordarshan India and
the Egyptian Radio and TV
Union
37 Agreement for Mutual Coopera- 20.4.1995
tion between the Government
of the Republic of India and
the Government of the Arab
Republic of Egypt on Coopera-
tion in Combating Illicit
Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances
38 Agreement between India and 16.10.1995
Egypt for Combating
Terrorism, Transnational and
Organised Crimes
39 Agreement between India and 16.10.1995
Egypt on Cooperation in
Science and Technological
fields
40 Agreement between India and 16.10.1995
Egypt on Cooperation in the
Sphere of information Finland
41 Air Services Agreement 18.7.1995
between India and Finland
Germany
42 Agreement between the Govern- 10.7.1995
ments of India and Germany
for the Protection and Promo-
tion of Investments
43 Agreement between the Govern- 19.6.1995
ments of India and Germany
for the Avoidance of Double
Taxation
44 Finance protocol (1995) 19.6.1995
between the Governments of
India and Germany
45 The Technical Assistance 5.7.1995
Agreement between India and
Germany
-176>
Ghana
46 Agreement between the Govern- 9.11.1995 9.11.1995
ment of the Republic of India
and Government of the Re-
public of Ghana for the
Establishment of the Indo-
Ghana Joint Commission for
Political, Economic, Techni-
cal and Cultural Cooperation
Greece
47 Memorandum on Consultations 16.5.1995 16.5.1995
between the Ministry of Ex-
ternal Affairs of India and
the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Greece
Iran
48 Agreement on Maritime Commer- 3.1.1995
cial Navigation between the
Government of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran
49 Memorandum of Understanding 18.4.1995 18.4.1995
between India and Iran on
Cooperation in the fleld of
Postal and Telecommunications
Services
50 Memorandum of Understanding 18.4.1995 18.4.1995
on Cooperation in the Field
of Tourism between India and
the Islamic Republic of Iran
51 Memorandum of Understanding 18.4.1995 18.4.1995
on the Prevention of Illicit
Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs
and Psychotropic Substances
and Related matters
Ireland
52 Mutual Inspection Agreement 3.1.1995 1.10.1995
between the National Stan-
dards Authority of Ireland
and Standardisation, Testing
& Quality Certification
Directorate, Department of
Electronics, Government of
India
Israel
53 Agreement between the Govern- 21.12.1994 22.8.1995 28.8.1995
ments of India and Israel on
Trade and Economic Coopera-
tion
-177>
54 Agreement between the Govern- 29.1.1996
ment of the Republic of India
and the Government of the
State of Israel for the
Promotion and Protection of
Investments
Japan
55 Exchange of notes between the 30.1.1995 30.1.1995
Governments of India and
Japan concerning additional
Japanese economic Cooperation
already agreed under exchange
of notes dated 6.8.93 concer-
ning Japanese economic coope-
ration for the execution of
the Project for improvement
of Educational Media Produc-
tion facilities of Indira
Gandhi National Open
University
56 Loan Agreement for Assam Gas 28.2.1995 28.2.1995
Turbine Power Station and
Transmission Line Consiruc-
tion Project (III) between
the Overseas Economic Coope-
ration Fund, Japan and the
President of India
57 Loan Agreement for National 28.2.1995 28.2.1995
Highway-5 Improvement Project
(II) between the Overseas
Economic Cooperation Fund,
Japan and the President of
India
58 Loan Agreement for Industrial 28.2.1995 28.2.1995
Pollution Control Programme
between the Overseas Economic
Cooperation Fund, Japan and
the Industrial Credit and
Investment Corporation of
India Limited
59 Loan Agreement for National 28.2.1995 28.2.1995
Highway-24 Improvement
Project between the Overseas
Economic Cooperation Fund,
Japan and the President of
India
-178>
60 Exchange of Notes between the 16.3.1995 16.3.1995
Government of India and the
Government of Japan for ex-
tension of the project Im-
provement of Medical Equip-
ment at Osmania General Hos-
pital, Andhra Pradesh under
Japanese grant assistance of
Yen 757 million to India
61 Exchange of Notes between the 15.6.1995 15.6.1995
Governments of India and
Japan for extension of the
Cultural Grant Aid of
Japanese Yen 34,000,000 to
India for the project of
National Archives of India
62 Exchange of Notes between 22.9.1995 22.9.1995
India and Japan for Grant
Assistance of Rs 87.8 crore
for the construction of a
New Nijamuddin Bridge in
New Delhi
63 No ID-P107 Loan Agreement for 25.1.1996 25.1.1996
Dhauliganga Hydroelectric
Power Plant Construction
Project between the Overseas
Economic Cooperation Fund,
Japan and National Hydro
electric Power Corporation
Ltd
64 No ID-P112 Loan Agreement for 25.1.1996 25.1.1996
Gujarat Afforestation and
Development Project between
the Overseas Economic Coope-
ration Fund, Japan and the
President of India
Korea
65 Agreement on the Establish- 26.2.1996 26.2.1996
ment of a Joint Commission
between the Government of the
Republic of India and the
Government of the Republic
of Korea
Kuwait
66 The Council of Scientific & 16.6.1995 16.6.1995
Industrial Research (CSIR) of
the Republic of India and
Kuwait Institute for Scienti-
fic Research (KISR) of Kuwait
for Scientific and Technical
Cooperation
-179>
67 Memorandum of Understanding 16.9.1995
between India and Kuwait to
form a joint venture company
Kryghyzstan
68 Agreement between India and 22.9.1995
Kryghyzstan in the sphere of
Culture, Arts, Education,
Mass Media and Sports
69 Agreement between India and 22.9.1995 22.9.1995
Kyrghyzstan on Cooperation
in the field of Science and
Technology
|
|
70 Agreement between India and 22.9.1995
Kyrghyzstan for the Promotion
of Bilateral Tourism
Malaysia
71 Bilateral Investment Protec- 3.8.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between India and Malaysia
72 Agreement between India and 3.8.1995
Malaysia for development of
India's Satellite Broadcast
and Communication Services
73 Agreement between India and 3.8.1995
Malaysia on Technical Train-
ing and Consultancy Service
in the development of
Malaysia's Space Programme
74 Memorandum of Understanding 3.8.1995 3.8.1995
between India and Malaysia on
Cooperation in the develop-
ment of highways
75 Memorandum of Understanding 3.8.1995
between India and Malaysia on
Industrial Cooperation
Maldives
76 Agreement between the Govern- 20.9.1995
ment of Maldives, Government
of India and Educational
Consultants India Limited for
providing tailor made train-
ing to Maldivian nominees
against Government of India
funding
-180>
Mongolia
77 Treaty of Friendly Relations 22.2.1994 21.9.1995 13.12.1995
Cooperation between the Re-
public of India and Mongolia
Myanmar
78 Memorandum of Understanding 11.7.1995 11.7.1995
on Air Services between the
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of Myanmar
79 Agreement between the Govern- 21.1.1994
ment of the Republic of India
and the Government of the
Union of Myanmar on Border
Trade between the two Coun-
tries
Namibia
80 Memorandum of Understanding 27.11.1995 27.11.1995
on Cooperation in Potable
Ground Water Resources in
Namibia between the Govern-
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of Namibia
Nepal
81 Agreement between India and 10.3.1994 10.3.1994
Nepal for Assistance to the
Koirala Institute of Health
Sciences
Netherland
82 Memorandum of Understanding 27.6.1995 27.6.1995
between Telecommunications
Consultants India limited and
NEPOSTEL Consultancy BC,
Netherlands
83 Memorandum of Understanding 18.9.1995 18.9.1995
between Standardisation,
Testing & Quality Certifica-
tion Directorate (STQC),
India and Philips Electronic
Manufacturing Technology,
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
84 Bilateral Investment Protec- 6.11.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between the Government of
India and the Government of
Netherlands
-181>
Norway
85 Agreement between the Govern- 19.12.1995 19.12.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of the Kingdom of Norway
relating to Air Services
Oman
86 Memorandum of Understanding 31.5.1995 31.5.1995
between the Government of
India and the Government of
the Sultanate of Oman
relating to Air Services
87 Agreement between the Govern- 31.5.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of the Sultanate of Oman
for Air Services Between and
Beyond their Respective
Territories
Philippines
88 Memorandum of Understanding 26.2.1996 26.2.1996
between the Ministry of Non-
Conventional Energy Sources,
Republic of India and the
Department of Energy, Re-
public of Philppines on
Enhanced Cooperation in the
field of Renewable Energy
Romania
89 Protocol of the XIth Session 23.6.1995
of the Romanian-Indian Gove-
rnmental Joint Commission for
Economic Technical and
Scientific Cooperation
90 Agreement between the Govern- 2.11.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of Romania regarding the
Readmission of Persons having
an Illegal Status
Russian Federation
91 Agreement between the Govern- 4.4.1995 4.4.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of Russian Federation on
the Cooperation across State
Borders
92 Protocol between the Govern- 6.7.1995
ments of India and Russian
Federation to finalise the
supplement to earlier Agree-
ment between India and USSR
on Cooperation in the cons-
truction of a nuclear power
plant at Kudankulam in Tamil
Nadu
-182>
93 Protocol of the Meeting of 6.7.1995
the Indian-Russian Inter-
governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific,
Technological and Cultural
Cooperation
94 Protocol of the second 25.7.1995 25.7.1995
meeting of the-Russian-Indian
Working Group on coal
95 Protocol of the second 27.7.1995 27.7.1995
session of Indo-Russian
working group on Ferrous and
Non-Ferrous Metallurgy within
the Framework of the Inter
Governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific
& Technological Cooperation
96 Memorandum of Understanding 14.8.1995
between India and Russia
covering a wide range of
areas in the field of
ferrous, nonferrous and
precious metals
97 Agreed Minutes of the first 29.9.1995 29.9.1995
meeting of the Indo-Russian
Working Group on Cooperation
in the field of Environmental
and Natural Resources
98 Agreement for Cooperation in 5.10.1995 5.10.1995
the field of Agriculture and
related Subjects between
Indian Council of Agricul-
tural Research, India and
Russian Academy of Agricul-
tural Sciences, Russia
99 Protocol on Technological 9.10.1995
Cooperation between India
and Russia
100 Memorandum of Understanding 4.3.1996
for Enhanced Cooperation in
the field of Renewable
Energy between the Ministry
of Non-Conventional Energy
Sources, Government of the
Republic of India and the
Ministry of Fuel and Energy
of the Russian Federation
-183>
101 Agreement between the Gove- 30.3.1996 30.3.1996
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Russian Federation on
the installation of direct
telephone line with security
code between the residence
of the Prime Minister of
India in Delhi and the
Kremlin in Moscow
102 Programme of Cultural, 30.3.1996 30.3.1996
Scientific and Educational
Exchange between the Re-
public of India and the
Russian Federation for the
years 1996-1997
Singapore
103 Agreement on Cooperation in 4.1.1995
Science & Technology between
the Ministry of Science and
Technology of the Government
of the Republic of India and
the Ministry of Trade and
Industry of the Government of
the Republic of Singapore
Slovak Republic
104 Agreement between the Gove- 11.3.1996
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Slovak Republic on Co-
operation in the spheres of
culture, art, education,
science, tourism, sports
and mass media
Slovenia
105 Agreement between the Gove- 31.1.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of Slovenia on
Scientific and Technological
Cooperation
South Africa
106 Treaty on the Principles of 25.1.1995
Inter-state Relation and Co-
operation between the Re-
public of India and the Re-
public of South Africa
107 Agreement between the Gove- 25.1.1995 25.1.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of South Africa
on the Inter-Governmental
Joint Commission for the
Political, Trade, Economic,
Cultural, Scientific and
Technical Cooperation
-184>
108 Agreement on Science & Tech- 19.7.1995
nological Cooperation
between India and South
Africa
Spain
109 Convention between the Re- 8.2.1993 22.9.1994 12.1.1995
public of India and the
Kingdom of Spain for Avoi-
dance of Double Taxation on
Income and on Capital
Sudan
110 Agreement between the Gove- 10.1.1995 10.1.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Republic of
Sudan for the Creation of
the Indo-Sudanese Joint
Commission for Economic,
Technical, Commercial,
Information, Political,
Trade and Cultural Coopera-
tion (As amended through ex-
change of letters dated
31.5.1995)
Sweden
111 Cooperation between STQC 11.2.1995 11.2.1995
(Standardisation, Testing &
Quality Certification)
Directorate and Friborg
Instrument AB, Sweden for
Hospital Project in India
112 Agreement between Government 19.12.1995 19.12.1995
of India and the Government
of Kingdom of Sweden rela-
ting to Air Services
Switzerland
113 Agreement between India and 2.11.1994 29.12.1994
Switzerland for the Avoi-
dance of Double Taxation
with respect to Taxes on
Income
Tajikistan
114 Agreement between the Gove- 12.12.1995 12.12.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of Tajikistan
on Cooperation in Science
Technology
-185>
115 Agreement between the Gove- 12.12.1995 12.12.1995
rnment of India and the
Government of Tajikistan on
the Inter-Governmental Commi-
ssion on Trade, Economic,
Scientific and Technological
Cooperation
116 Declaration on Further 12.12.1995 12.12.1995
Development of Friendly
Relations between the
Republic of India and the
Republic of Tajikistan
Tunisia
117 Agreement between the 17.10.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of Tunisia on Scientific and
Technological Cooperation
118 Joint Declaration between 17.10.1995 17.10.1995
the Government of India and
the Government of Tunisia on
Cooperation in Combating
Terrorism, Drug Trafficking
and Organised Crime
Turkey
119 Agreement between the 31.1.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Republic of Turkey
on Tourism Cooperation
Turkmenistan
120 Bilateral Investment Protec- 20.9.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between India and
Turkmenistan
121 Protocol on Cooperation 20.9.1995 20.9.1995
between the Ministry of
External Affairs, Governmnet
of India and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Government
of Turkmenistan
122 Protocol between India and 20.9.1995
Turkmenistan on Cooperation
in the sphere of Culture,
Arts, Education, Mass Media
and Sports
-186>
123 Setting up of Inter-Govern- 20.9.1995 20.9.1995
mental Joint Commission
between India and Turkmenis-
tan on Trade, Economic,
Scientific and Technical
Cooperation
124 Credit Agreement between the 20.9.1995 20.9.1995
Government of India and the
Government of Turkmenistan
Ukraine
125 Air Services Agreement 7.7.1995 7.7.1995
between the Government of
India and the Government of
Ukraine
United Kingdom
126 Agreement between the 14.3.1994 6.1.1995 6.1.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern
Ireland on Promotion and
Protection of Investments
127 Agreement between the 8.1.1996 8.1.1996
Government of the Republic
of India and Government of
the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland
on Cooperation in Science
and Technology
United Nations Development Programme
128 IND/95/004-Sustainable Urban 1.6.1995 1.6.1995
Development for Madras
129 IND/95/002-GIS-Based 16.8.1995 16.8.1995
Technologies for Local Level
Development Planning
130 IND/95/G81 Capacity Building 16.8.1995 16.8.1995
for Introduction of Environ-
mental Economics into Deci-
sion Making for Sustainable
Development
United States
131 Technical Cooperation 16.1.1995 16.1.1995
between the Department of
Telecom (India) and M/s
Hughes Network Systems
Incorporated, USA
-187>
132 Technical Cooperation 16.1.1995 16.1.1995
between Telecom Engineering
Centre (of Department of
Telecommunications) and M/s
Qualcom, USA, for Trial of
CDMA Technology as Wireless
In Local Loop (WILL)
133 Memorandum of Understanding 13.2.1995 13.2.1995
between Electric Power
Research Institute, USA and
Ministry of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources, Government
of India
134 Project Grant Agreement 10.4.1995 10.4.1995
Between the President of
India and the United States
of America for Greenhouse
Gas Pollution Prevention
Project
Vietnam
135 Agreement between India and 7.9.1994 2.2.1995
the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam for the Avoidance of
Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion
with respect to Taxes on
Income
Yemen
136 Agreement between the 11.7.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Repubic of Yemen on
Economic and Technical
Cooperation
137 Agreement between the 11.7.1995 11.7.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Republic of Yemen on
Cooperation in the Scienti-
fic and Technical Fields
Yugoslavia
138 Protocol for Consultations 22.6.1995 22.6.1995
between the Ministry of Ex-
ternal Affairs of the Re-
public of India and the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia.
-188>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-IV Full Powers issued during 1995-96
|
70 Agreement between India and 22.9.1995
Kyrghyzstan for the Promotion
of Bilateral Tourism
Malaysia
71 Bilateral Investment Protec- 3.8.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between India and Malaysia
72 Agreement between India and 3.8.1995
Malaysia for development of
India's Satellite Broadcast
and Communication Services
73 Agreement between India and 3.8.1995
Malaysia on Technical Train-
ing and Consultancy Service
in the development of
Malaysia's Space Programme
74 Memorandum of Understanding 3.8.1995 3.8.1995
between India and Malaysia on
Cooperation in the develop-
ment of highways
75 Memorandum of Understanding 3.8.1995
between India and Malaysia on
Industrial Cooperation
Maldives
76 Agreement between the Govern- 20.9.1995
ment of Maldives, Government
of India and Educational
Consultants India Limited for
providing tailor made train-
ing to Maldivian nominees
against Government of India
funding
-180>
Mongolia
77 Treaty of Friendly Relations 22.2.1994 21.9.1995 13.12.1995
Cooperation between the Re-
public of India and Mongolia
Myanmar
78 Memorandum of Understanding 11.7.1995 11.7.1995
on Air Services between the
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of Myanmar
79 Agreement between the Govern- 21.1.1994
ment of the Republic of India
and the Government of the
Union of Myanmar on Border
Trade between the two Coun-
tries
Namibia
80 Memorandum of Understanding 27.11.1995 27.11.1995
on Cooperation in Potable
Ground Water Resources in
Namibia between the Govern-
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of Namibia
Nepal
81 Agreement between India and 10.3.1994 10.3.1994
Nepal for Assistance to the
Koirala Institute of Health
Sciences
Netherland
82 Memorandum of Understanding 27.6.1995 27.6.1995
between Telecommunications
Consultants India limited and
NEPOSTEL Consultancy BC,
Netherlands
83 Memorandum of Understanding 18.9.1995 18.9.1995
between Standardisation,
Testing & Quality Certifica-
tion Directorate (STQC),
India and Philips Electronic
Manufacturing Technology,
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
84 Bilateral Investment Protec- 6.11.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between the Government of
India and the Government of
Netherlands
-181>
Norway
85 Agreement between the Govern- 19.12.1995 19.12.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of the Kingdom of Norway
relating to Air Services
Oman
86 Memorandum of Understanding 31.5.1995 31.5.1995
between the Government of
India and the Government of
the Sultanate of Oman
relating to Air Services
87 Agreement between the Govern- 31.5.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of the Sultanate of Oman
for Air Services Between and
Beyond their Respective
Territories
Philippines
88 Memorandum of Understanding 26.2.1996 26.2.1996
between the Ministry of Non-
Conventional Energy Sources,
Republic of India and the
Department of Energy, Re-
public of Philppines on
Enhanced Cooperation in the
field of Renewable Energy
Romania
89 Protocol of the XIth Session 23.6.1995
of the Romanian-Indian Gove-
rnmental Joint Commission for
Economic Technical and
Scientific Cooperation
90 Agreement between the Govern- 2.11.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of Romania regarding the
Readmission of Persons having
an Illegal Status
Russian Federation
91 Agreement between the Govern- 4.4.1995 4.4.1995
ment of India and the Govern-
ment of Russian Federation on
the Cooperation across State
Borders
92 Protocol between the Govern- 6.7.1995
ments of India and Russian
Federation to finalise the
supplement to earlier Agree-
ment between India and USSR
on Cooperation in the cons-
truction of a nuclear power
plant at Kudankulam in Tamil
Nadu
-182>
93 Protocol of the Meeting of 6.7.1995
the Indian-Russian Inter-
governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific,
Technological and Cultural
Cooperation
94 Protocol of the second 25.7.1995 25.7.1995
meeting of the-Russian-Indian
Working Group on coal
95 Protocol of the second 27.7.1995 27.7.1995
session of Indo-Russian
working group on Ferrous and
Non-Ferrous Metallurgy within
the Framework of the Inter
Governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific
& Technological Cooperation
96 Memorandum of Understanding 14.8.1995
between India and Russia
covering a wide range of
areas in the field of
ferrous, nonferrous and
precious metals
97 Agreed Minutes of the first 29.9.1995 29.9.1995
meeting of the Indo-Russian
Working Group on Cooperation
in the field of Environmental
and Natural Resources
98 Agreement for Cooperation in 5.10.1995 5.10.1995
the field of Agriculture and
related Subjects between
Indian Council of Agricul-
tural Research, India and
Russian Academy of Agricul-
tural Sciences, Russia
99 Protocol on Technological 9.10.1995
Cooperation between India
and Russia
100 Memorandum of Understanding 4.3.1996
for Enhanced Cooperation in
the field of Renewable
Energy between the Ministry
of Non-Conventional Energy
Sources, Government of the
Republic of India and the
Ministry of Fuel and Energy
of the Russian Federation
-183>
101 Agreement between the Gove- 30.3.1996 30.3.1996
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Russian Federation on
the installation of direct
telephone line with security
code between the residence
of the Prime Minister of
India in Delhi and the
Kremlin in Moscow
102 Programme of Cultural, 30.3.1996 30.3.1996
Scientific and Educational
Exchange between the Re-
public of India and the
Russian Federation for the
years 1996-1997
Singapore
103 Agreement on Cooperation in 4.1.1995
Science & Technology between
the Ministry of Science and
Technology of the Government
of the Republic of India and
the Ministry of Trade and
Industry of the Government of
the Republic of Singapore
Slovak Republic
104 Agreement between the Gove- 11.3.1996
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Slovak Republic on Co-
operation in the spheres of
culture, art, education,
science, tourism, sports
and mass media
Slovenia
105 Agreement between the Gove- 31.1.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of Slovenia on
Scientific and Technological
Cooperation
South Africa
106 Treaty on the Principles of 25.1.1995
Inter-state Relation and Co-
operation between the Re-
public of India and the Re-
public of South Africa
107 Agreement between the Gove- 25.1.1995 25.1.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of South Africa
on the Inter-Governmental
Joint Commission for the
Political, Trade, Economic,
Cultural, Scientific and
Technical Cooperation
-184>
108 Agreement on Science & Tech- 19.7.1995
nological Cooperation
between India and South
Africa
Spain
109 Convention between the Re- 8.2.1993 22.9.1994 12.1.1995
public of India and the
Kingdom of Spain for Avoi-
dance of Double Taxation on
Income and on Capital
Sudan
110 Agreement between the Gove- 10.1.1995 10.1.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Republic of
Sudan for the Creation of
the Indo-Sudanese Joint
Commission for Economic,
Technical, Commercial,
Information, Political,
Trade and Cultural Coopera-
tion (As amended through ex-
change of letters dated
31.5.1995)
Sweden
111 Cooperation between STQC 11.2.1995 11.2.1995
(Standardisation, Testing &
Quality Certification)
Directorate and Friborg
Instrument AB, Sweden for
Hospital Project in India
112 Agreement between Government 19.12.1995 19.12.1995
of India and the Government
of Kingdom of Sweden rela-
ting to Air Services
Switzerland
113 Agreement between India and 2.11.1994 29.12.1994
Switzerland for the Avoi-
dance of Double Taxation
with respect to Taxes on
Income
Tajikistan
114 Agreement between the Gove- 12.12.1995 12.12.1995
rnment of the Republic of
India and the Government of
the Republic of Tajikistan
on Cooperation in Science
Technology
-185>
115 Agreement between the Gove- 12.12.1995 12.12.1995
rnment of India and the
Government of Tajikistan on
the Inter-Governmental Commi-
ssion on Trade, Economic,
Scientific and Technological
Cooperation
116 Declaration on Further 12.12.1995 12.12.1995
Development of Friendly
Relations between the
Republic of India and the
Republic of Tajikistan
Tunisia
117 Agreement between the 17.10.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of Tunisia on Scientific and
Technological Cooperation
118 Joint Declaration between 17.10.1995 17.10.1995
the Government of India and
the Government of Tunisia on
Cooperation in Combating
Terrorism, Drug Trafficking
and Organised Crime
Turkey
119 Agreement between the 31.1.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Republic of Turkey
on Tourism Cooperation
Turkmenistan
120 Bilateral Investment Protec- 20.9.1995
tion and Promotion Agreement
between India and
Turkmenistan
121 Protocol on Cooperation 20.9.1995 20.9.1995
between the Ministry of
External Affairs, Governmnet
of India and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Government
of Turkmenistan
122 Protocol between India and 20.9.1995
Turkmenistan on Cooperation
in the sphere of Culture,
Arts, Education, Mass Media
and Sports
-186>
123 Setting up of Inter-Govern- 20.9.1995 20.9.1995
mental Joint Commission
between India and Turkmenis-
tan on Trade, Economic,
Scientific and Technical
Cooperation
124 Credit Agreement between the 20.9.1995 20.9.1995
Government of India and the
Government of Turkmenistan
Ukraine
125 Air Services Agreement 7.7.1995 7.7.1995
between the Government of
India and the Government of
Ukraine
United Kingdom
126 Agreement between the 14.3.1994 6.1.1995 6.1.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern
Ireland on Promotion and
Protection of Investments
127 Agreement between the 8.1.1996 8.1.1996
Government of the Republic
of India and Government of
the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland
on Cooperation in Science
and Technology
United Nations Development Programme
128 IND/95/004-Sustainable Urban 1.6.1995 1.6.1995
Development for Madras
129 IND/95/002-GIS-Based 16.8.1995 16.8.1995
Technologies for Local Level
Development Planning
130 IND/95/G81 Capacity Building 16.8.1995 16.8.1995
for Introduction of Environ-
mental Economics into Deci-
sion Making for Sustainable
Development
United States
131 Technical Cooperation 16.1.1995 16.1.1995
between the Department of
Telecom (India) and M/s
Hughes Network Systems
Incorporated, USA
-187>
132 Technical Cooperation 16.1.1995 16.1.1995
between Telecom Engineering
Centre (of Department of
Telecommunications) and M/s
Qualcom, USA, for Trial of
CDMA Technology as Wireless
In Local Loop (WILL)
133 Memorandum of Understanding 13.2.1995 13.2.1995
between Electric Power
Research Institute, USA and
Ministry of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources, Government
of India
134 Project Grant Agreement 10.4.1995 10.4.1995
Between the President of
India and the United States
of America for Greenhouse
Gas Pollution Prevention
Project
Vietnam
135 Agreement between India and 7.9.1994 2.2.1995
the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam for the Avoidance of
Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion
with respect to Taxes on
Income
Yemen
136 Agreement between the 11.7.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Repubic of Yemen on
Economic and Technical
Cooperation
137 Agreement between the 11.7.1995 11.7.1995
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Republic of Yemen on
Cooperation in the Scienti-
fic and Technical Fields
Yugoslavia
138 Protocol for Consultations 22.6.1995 22.6.1995
between the Ministry of Ex-
ternal Affairs of the Re-
public of India and the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia.
-188>
|
|
Full Powers issued during 1995-96.
S NO CONVENTIONS/TREATIES DATE OF FULL POWERS
1 Full Powers in favour of Shri T P Srinivasan, 21.1.1995
acting Permanent Representative to the Permanent
Mission of India, New York to sign the-
(i) Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between the Republic of India and
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(FYROM);
(ii) Protocol on the Establishment of Consular
Relations between the Republic of India and
FYROM.
2 Full Powers in favour of Shri Kuldip Sehdev, 15.3.1995
Ambassador of India in Japan to sign the
(i) Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between the Republic of India and
the Federated States of Micronesia;
(ii) Protocol on the Establishment of Consular
Relations between the Republic of India and
the Federated States of Micronesia.
3 Full Powers in favour of Shri Ravinder Gupta, 5.10.1995
Representative of India on the Council of
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
to sign Protocol on the Authentic Quinquelingual
(Arabic) Text of the Convention of International
Civil Aviation, 1944
4 Full Powers in favour of Shri P Chidambaram, 1.11.1995
Minister of State for Commerce to sign the
Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion
Agreement between India and Netherlands
5 Full Powers in favour of Shri Manmohan Singh, 25.1.1996
Finance Minister to sign the Convention between
the Republic of India and the State of Israel for
the Avoidance of Double Taxation and for the
prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect of
Taxes on Income and on Capital
6 Full Powers in favour of Shri Manmohan Singh, 25.1.1996
Finance Minister to sign the Agreement between
the Government of the Republic of India and the
State of Israel for the Promotion and Protection
of Investments
-189>
7 Full Powers in favour of Shri Bhuvnesh Chaturvedi, 2.2.1996
Minister of State for Science and Technology to
sign the Agreement between the Government of the
Republic of India and Government of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on
Cooperation in Science and Technology
8 Full Powers in favour of Shri V S Ramamurthy, 23.2.1996
Secretary, Department of Science & Technology to
sign the Agreement on Scientific and Tech-
nological Cooperation between the Government of
the Republic of India and the Government of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
9 Full Powers in favour of Shri Anil Baijal, Joint 27.3.1996
Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism
to sign the Air Services Agreement between the
Government of Hong Kong and the Government of the
Republic of India.
-190>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-V Instruments of Ratification issued during 1995-96.
|
Instruments of Ratification issued during 1995-96.
S NO CONVENTION/TREATY DATE OF INSTRUMENT
1 Air-Services Agreement between the Government of 2.1.1995
of India and the Government of Zambia
2 Cultural Agreement between the Government of the 23.2.1995
Government of India and the Government of the Lao
People's Democratic Republic
3 Agreement between the Government of India and the 25.5.1995
Government of Tunisia on Trade and Economic
Cooperation
4 Treaty on the Principles of Inter-State Relation and 25.5.1995
Cooperation between the Republic of India and the
Republic of South Africa
5 Agreement for Mutual Cooperation between the Government 15.6.1995
of the Republic of India and the Government of the
Arab Republic of Egypt on Cooperation in Combating
Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances
6 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of 21.6.1995
India and the Russian Federation for the Promotion
and Mutual Protection of Investments
7 Agreement between India and Federal Republic of 30.8.1995
Germany for Promotion and Protection of Investments
8 Amendment of Article XVII(f) of the INTELSAT 12.10.1995
Agreement approved by the Nineteenth Assembly on
26.10.1994
9 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, 18.10.1995
Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons
and their Destruction, signed at Paris on 13.1.1993
10 Revised Constitution and Convention of the 19.10.1995
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) adopted
at Geneva on 22.12.1992
11 Convention between the Government of the Republic 10.11.1995
of India and the Government of the Republic of
Italy for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and
the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to
Taxes on Income
-191>
12 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic 20.3.1996
Treaty, 1959 signed by India on 2.7.92
13 Agreement between the Government of the Republic 12.1.1996
of India and the Government of the Italian Republic
for the Promotion and Protection of Investment
14 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of 12.1.1996
India and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark
concerning the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection
of Investments,
Note : This list is not exhaustive.
-192>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-VI Statement showing the number of applications received for fresh passports
|
Statement showing the number of applications received for fresh passports and miscellaneous services and the number of passports issued and services rendered during the year 1995.
S NO RPOs/POs* FRESH APPLICATIONS MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES
NO OF NO OF NO OF NO OF
APPLICATIONS PASSPORTS APPLICATIONS SERVICES
RECEIVED GRANTED RECEIVED RENDERED
1 AHMEDABAD 105955 99089 45723 45512
2 BANGALORE 97741 95672 39525 39846
3 BAREILLY 36863 35880 10850 10559
4 BHOPAL 20297 20148 9130 8776
5 BHUBANESHWAR 6995 5309 2313 2262
6 BOMBAY 223397 218043 113677 111847
7 CALCUTTA 50045 47601 28385 25738
8 CHANDIGARH 84608 103257 31700 34270
9 COCHIN 80686 80009 41720 40078
10 DELHI 121389 106607 53677 53810
11 GOA 15329 14220 12366 14472
12 GUWAHATI 7486 6739 2474 2347
13 HYDERABAD 149422 142770 53618 51701
14 JAIPUR 52942 51893 18378 30713
15 JALANDHAR 69384 100743 33233 34164
16 JAMMU 11457 8713 1493 1443
17 KOZHIKODE 133067 135892 57608 55848
18 LUCKNOW 91266 99127 18085 20087
19 MADRAS 117333 112475 41501 40885
20 NAGPUR 9541 9037 3220 3233
21 PATNA 41156 38498 8548 8522
22 TRICHY 164577 139332 56964 56789
23 TRIVANDRUM 90432 83461 37203 37061
TOTAL 1781368 1754515 721391 729963
* Regional Passport Offices/Passport Offices.
-193>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-VII Statement showing the Revenue and Expenditure Figures of Passport Offices
|
Statement showing the Revenue and Expenditure Figures of Passport Offices/Reg
ional
Passport Offices during the year 1995.
S NO OFFICE REVENUE EXPENDITURE
EARNED INCURRED
1 AHMEDABAD 42270925 682346
2 BANGALORE 33347220 8439913
3 BAREILLY 13474105 3860083
4 BHOPAL 8015490 1839859
5 BHUBANESHWAR 2405082 907357
6 BOMBAY 90073079 15906627
7 CALCUTTA 27134358 2488175
8 CHANDIGARH 31274300 7499653
9 COCHIN 32140073 7977107
10 DELHI 47917466 357629857
11 GUWAHATI 3221337 1036112
12 HYDERABAD 54458731 10332349
13 JAIPUR 19807792 5666477
14 JALANDHAR 32607895 6017935
15 JAMMU 3355640 1224487
16 KOZHIKODE 51119811 7838618
17 LUCKNOW 31372089 8637358
18 MADRAS 77223650 7425880
19 NAGPUR 3475566 968264
20 PANAJI (GOA) 7003779 1520655
21 PATNA 13959002 3052507
22 TRICHY 59028610 7610279
23 TRIVANDRUM 32808344 6061290
TOTAL 717494344 474623188
-194>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-VIII Consular Data for 1995
|
Consular Data for 1995.
1 Number of Attestations 184396
2 Number of Indians repatriated at Government cost 106
3 Number of Indians arrested abroad* 12102
4 Number of deaths of Indians reported to the Ministry* 3591
5 Number of foreigners in Jails in India" 2085
6 Number of foreigners died in India*** 322
7 (i) Number of requests for extradition received by Government 1
of India from abroad#
(ii) Number of requests from Government of India to Foreign 3
Governments for extradition
8 Number of lost/damaged passports cases received* 17682
* Figures are for Cases reported.
** Figures made available by Ministry of Home Affairs.
*** Figures made available by State Governments.
# Includes requests made to countries with which India does not have Extraditi on Treaties.
-195>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-IX Names of Ambassadors/High Commissioners of India
|
Names of Ambassadors/High Commissioners of India abroad who have taken charge from April 1995 to March 1996.
S NO COUNTRY CAPITAL AMBASSADOR/ DATE OF
HIGH COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT
1 Australia Canberra G Parthasarathy 29.5.1995
2 Bhutan Thimpu Dalip Mehta 21.4.1995
3 Botswana Gaborone Cherry George 10.7.1995
4 Czech Prague Girish Dhume 23.6.1995
5 Denmark Copenhagen Shrimati Neelam Deo 22.3.1996
6 Egypt Cairo K Sibal 20.9.1995
7 Germany Bonn S K Lambah 11.8.1995
8 Hungary Budapest S J Singh 3.9.1995
9 Israel Tel Aviv Shivshankar Menon 9.5.1995
10 Ivory Coast Abidjan H H S Vishwanathan 18.9.1995
11 Jordan Amman Gajanan Wakankar 4.10.1995
12 Kenya Nairobi T P Sreenivasan 4.8.1995
13 Kuwait Kuwait B M C Nayar 31.7.1995
14 Lebanon Beirut Ajai Chaudhary 1.3.1996
15 Myanmar Yangon L T Pudaite 22.9.1995
16 Nigeria Lagos S K Uppal 22.3.1996
17 Pakistan Islamabad Satish Chandra 30.8.1995
18 Peru Lima Shrimati Nirupama Rao 9.1.1996
19 Philippines Manila C P Ravindranathan 18.9.1995
20 Seychelles Mahe P Mukhopadhyay 2.6.1995
21 Singapore Singapore Prem Singh 2.8.1995
22 Sudan Khartoum G P Isaar 27.4.1995
23 Uzbekistan Tashkent M K Bhadrakumar 27.8.1995
24 Zambia Lusaka R Wangdi 20.4.1995
-196>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-X Cadre Strength at Headquarters and Missions/Posts abroad during 1995-96
|
Cadre Strength at Headquarters and Missions/Posts abroad during 1995-96 (incl
uding posts
budgeted by Ministry of Commerce and held in abeyance/ex-cadred).
S NO CADRE/POST POSTS AT POSTS AT TOTAL
HEADQUARTERS MISSIONS
IFS (A)*
1 Grade-I** 5 21 26
2 Grade-II 4 30 34
3 Grade-III 24 118 142
4 Grade-IV 26 107 133
5 Junior Administrative Grade/Senior Scale 48 132 180
6 (i) Junior Scale 3 30 33
(ii) Probationers reserve 27 - 27
(iii) Leave reserve 15 - 15
(iv) Deputation reserve 19 - 19
(v) Training reserve 7 - 7
IFS (B)
7 (i) Grade-I 59 81 140
(ii) Deputation reserve 6 - 6
8 (i) Grade-II/III 100 172 272
(ii) Leave reserve 30 - 30
(iii) Deputation reserve 16 - 16
(iv) Training reserve 25 - 25
9 (i) Grade-IV 252 409 661
(ii) Leave reserve 60 - 600
(iii) Deputation reserve 55 - 55
10 (i) Grade-V/VI 385 196 581
(ii) Leave reserve 60 - 60
(iii) Deputation reserve 14 - 14
11 (i) Grade-II of Cypher Cadre 58 139 197
(Cypher Assistant)
(ii) Leave reserve 23 - 23
12 Principal Private Secretary 4 17 21
13 (i) Private Secretary 32 180 212
(ii) Leave reserve 14 - 14
-197>
14 (i) Personal Assistant 157 194 351
(ii) Leave reserve 33 - 33
(iii) Training reserve (Hindi) 10 - 10
(iv) Deputation reserve 12 - 12
15 Stenographer (Grade-III) 42 77 119
16 Interpreters' Cadre 10 25 35
17 L&T Cadre 16 1 17
TOTAL 1651 1929 3580
*Abolition of 22 posts as part of IVth Cadre Review proposals has not been reflected.
**Including temporary upgradation of one post from Grade II to Grade I.
-198>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XI List of Officers qualified in various foreign languages
|
List of Officers qualified in various foreign languages
S NO COMPULSORY FOREIGN LANGUAGE NUMBER OF OFFICERS
1 Arabic 97
2 Bhasa Indonesia 13
3 Burmese 1
4 Chinese 55
5 Dutch 1
6 French 93
7 German 42
8 Gorkhali/Nepali 1
9 Hebrew 1
10 Hungarian 1
11 Italian 5
12 Japanese 26
13 Kazakh 1
14 Kishwahili 10
15 Malay 1
16 Persian 18
17 Portuguese 17
18 Russian 83
19 Serbo-Croatian 3
20 Sinhalese 2
21 Spanish 68
22 Swedish 1
23 Thai 2
24 Tibetan 2
25 Turkish 6
26 Ukrainian 1
27 Vietnamese 2
-199>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XII Statement showing the number of appointments
|
Statement showing the number of appointments (both by direct recruitment and promotion)
made in various groups in the Ministry of External Affairs and reserved vacanci
es filled
by Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/OBCs during the year 1995 (Provisional).
|
GROUP TOTAL NO OF VACANCIES FILLED NUMBER OF VACANCIES
RESERVED UN-RESERVED
SC ST OBCs
Group 'A' (Indent) 14 2 1 4 7
Group 'B' 129 16 7 106
Group 'C' 86 17 2 - 67
Group 'D' 22 3 2 - 17
-200>
USA
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XIII Revenue Expenditure of the Ministry of External Affairs during the Financial
Year 1995-96.
|
Revenue Expenditure of the Ministry of External Affairs during the Financial
Year 1995-96.
REVISED ESTIMATES 1995-96
(IN CRORES OF RUPEES)
Headquarter 63.53
Missions and Posts 475.00
Central Passport and Emigration Organisation 57.42
Foreign Service Training Institute 0.30
Special Diplomatic Expenditure 252.00
international Conferences/Meetings 2.50
Entertainment Charges 13.00
Contribution to International Organisations (including UN) 25.94
Grant-in-Aid to ICCR 25.00
Evacuation of Indians due to War/Civil Disturbance 0.31
Other Miscellaneous items 18.91
Miscellaneous General Service (Loss by Exchange) 5.00
Payment to Shipping Corporation of India for Charter Operations 0.52
between Madras-Port Blair sector
Payment to Indian Airlines for Charter Operations between 0.26
Madras-Port Blair sector
Aid to other Countries
Aid to Bangladesh 0.80
Aid to Bhutan 140.00
Aid to Nepal 25.00
Aid to Sri Lanka 11.20
Aid to Maldives 12.00
Aid to Cambodia 1.56
Aid to Myanmar 11.36
Aid to other developing countries 35.34
Aid to African countries 16.37
TOTAL REVENUE EXPENDITURE 1193.32
-201>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XIV Expenditure on Indian Missions/Posts abroad and Headquarters of the MEA
|
Expenditure on Indian Missions/Posts abroad and Headquarters of the Ministry
of External
Affairs in 1995-96.
The estimated expenditure on the Headquarters Organisation of the Ministry duri
ng the
current financial year (1995-96) is expected to be Rs 63.53 crores which is 5.3
2% of the
total estimated revenue expenditure of the Ministry. Out of this Rs 13.13 crore
s will be
on Salaries and Wages, Rs 12.84 crores on Travel Expenses, Rs 19.88 crores on O
ffice
Expenses, Rs 11.00 crores on Advertising and Publicity and Rs 6.03 crores on Re
nt, Rates,
Taxes.
The total estimated expenditure on Indian Missions/Posts is expected to be Rs 4
75.00
crores during the current financial year which works out to 39.81% of the total
revenue
expenditure of this Ministry. Out of this, an amount of Rs 191.89 crores is for
Salaries
(including Foreign Allowances), OTA and Wages, Rs 46.89 crores for Travel Expen
ses
(Transfer Passages/Home Leave Passages and Local tours), Rs 82.75 crores for Of
fice
Expenses, Rs 8.07 crores for Advertising and Publicity and Rs 145.40 crores for
Rent,
Rates, Taxes as well as for Repairs and Maintenance of Government owned/rented
accommodation in Missions abroad. Average expenditure per Mission abroad (inclu
ding
Publicity) works out to Rs 3.06 crores.
The remaining 54.87% of the estimated revenue expenditure of the Ministry is be
ing
incurred on various aid programmes for neighbouring and other developing countr
ies
including ITEC Programmes, Aid to African Countries, SAARC and SCAAP Programmes
,
contribution to United Nations Organisations and other International bodies, Pa
ssport
Organisations, Entertainment Charges, Grants-in-Aid to Indian Council for Cultu
ral
Relations and other 'Miscellaneous items.
In the Capital Section there is a total provision of Rs 52.04 crores in RE 1995
-96, out of
which Rs 47.00 crores are for construction and purchase of properties. Rest of
the amount
represents loans component to countries like Bangladesh.
-202>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XV VVIP Visits to India during 1995-96.
|
VVIP Visits to India during 1995-96.
S NO NAME OF VISITOR DATE
Heads of State, Vice President, Heads of Government and Members of Royal Families
1 Prime Minister of Nepal Manmohan Adhikari 10 to 14
April 1995
2 President of Iran Akbar Hashmi Rafsanjani 17 to 19
April 1995
3 President of Mali Alfa O Konare 28 to 31
August 1995
4 Prime Minister of Denmark Paul N Rasmussen 5 to 15
September 1995
5 Prime Minister of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth 27 October to
1 November 1995
6 Prime Minister of Namibia Hage G Geingob 25 November to
1 December 1995
7 President of Tajikistan E S Rakhmanov 12 to 16
December 1995
8 President of Armenia Levl Petrossin 13 to 17
December 1995
9 Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien 9 to 14
January 1996
10 President of the Federative Republic of Brazil 24 to 27
Fernando Henrique Cardoso-Chief Guest for January 1996
Republic Day
11 Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba 11 to 17
February 1996
12 President of the Republic of Korea Kim Young Sam 24 to 27
February 1996
Other Visits at Head of State/Government and Vice-presidential Level
1 SAARC Summit 2 to 4 May 1995
Prime Minister of Bangladesh
King of Bhutan
President of Maldives
Prime Minister of Nepal
President of Pakistan
President of Sri Lanka
-203>
2 Crown Prince Henry of Luxembourg 14 to 21 May 1995
3 Prime Minister of Lithuania Adolfas Slezevicius 28 and 29
September 1995
4 Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew 3 to 5
January 1996
5 Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda Specioza 10 to. 12
Wandira Kazibwe (Bombay only) January 1996
6 First Prime Minister of Cambodia Prince Norodom 29 January to
Ranariddh 1 February 1996
7 King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangehuk 4 to 7 March 1996
Transit/private Visits at Head of State/Government Level
1 Vice-President of Iraq (Transit) I July 1995
2 President of Kyrghyzstan (Transit, Calcutta) 17 and 26
July 1995
3 President of European Community (Private) 31 July to
8 August 1995
4 President of Kenya (Transit) 14 and 15
August 1995
5 Lady Margaret Thatcher (Private) 18 to 22
August 1995
6 President of Sierra Leone (Bombay & Indore) 1 to 6
Septemeber 1995
7 First Lady of Nigeria (Transit) 1 and 17
September 1995
8 President of Guinea (Transit, Bombay) 3 and 8
September 1995
9 First Lady of Uganda (Transit) 4 and 12
September 1995
10 President of Sudan (Transit, Calcutta) 24 September 1995
11 Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Transit) 21 and 25,
October 1995
12 Vice-President of Uganda (Transit) 5 November 1995
13 Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for treatment in 20 November 1995
Kerala
14 Former President of USA, George Bush (Private) 28 to 30
November 1995
-204>
15 President of Ghana (Calcutta) 12 December 1995
16 Queen of Nepal (Private, Jaipur) 11 to 16
February 1996
17 Chancellor, Federal Republic of Germany (Transit) 2 March 1996
18 President of Mauritius'(Transit, Bombay) 20 and 27
March 1996
Visits of Foreign Ministers and Equivalent
1 Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassin 2 to 4
Bin Jabber Al-Thani April 1995
2 Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of 18 to 20
Turkmenistan Boris O Shikhmuradov April 1995
3 Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Ernesto Leal Sanchez 18 to 22
April 1995
4 Foreign Minister of Colombia Dr Rodrigo Pardo 20 to 23
Garcia-Pena April 1995
5 Foreign Minister of Croatia Dr Mate Granic 27 to 29
April 1995
6 Foreign Minister of Australia G Evans 19 to 20
May 1995
7 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan V L Mette 22 to 25
May 1995
8 Foreign Minister of Sudan 30 May to
3 June 1995
9 Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yuri F Yarov 5 to 7
July 1995
10 Special Envoy of Iraq 6 to 9
July 1995
11 Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yuri F Yarov 8 to 12
October 1995
12 Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yuri F Yarov 1 and 2
December 1995
13 Vice President of European Commission 22 December 1994 to
Sir Leon Brittan 4 January 1996
14 Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran 12 and 13
January 1996
-205>
15 Secretary General, OECD, Jean Claude Paye 19 to 24
January 1996
16 Secretary General, ASEAN Dato Ajit Singh 3 to 7
February 1996
17 Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of 14 to 19
Mauritius Paul Raymond Berenger February 1996
18 Foreign Minister of Hungary 16 to 18
February 1996
19 Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of 23 to 27
Vietnam February 1996
20 Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation 30 and 31
March 1996
Transit/private Visits of Foreign Ministers and Equivalent
1 Religious Head of Bhutan The Je Khempo 15 and 16
May 1995
2 Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan (Transit) 10 and 11
August 1995
3 Foreign Minister of Bhutan (Transit) 4 to 6
November 1995
4 Foreign Minister of Nigeria (Transit, Madras) 7 to 13
November 1995
5 Foreign Minister of Ukraine (Transit) 25 and 26
February 1996
-206>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XVI Visits abroad of the President- Vice President and Prime Minister of India
|
Visits abroad of the President- Vice President and Prime Minister of India
1 Prime Minister to Maldives 15 and 16
April 1995
2 Vice President to Italy 22 to 28
May 1995
3 President to Portugal, Trinidad & Tobago, 27 May to
Chile and Zimbabwe 10 June 1995
4 Prime Minister to France 11 to 15
June 1995
5 Vice President to USA (Medical) 14 June to
1 July 1995
6 Prime Minister to Malaysia 2 to 5
August 1995
7 Prime Minister to Turkmenistan 19 to 23
and Kyrghyzstan September 1995
8 Prime Minister to Egypt, Colombia and USA 15 to 26
(New York) October 1995
9 Prime Minister to Burkina Faso, Argentina 2 to 10
and Ghana November 1995
10 Vice President to Japan 2 to 8
December 1995
-207>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XVII The Conference Cell of Protocol Division organised the following conferences
|
The Conference Cell of Protocol Division organised the following conferences during1995- 96.
S NO NAME OF THE CONFERENCE, ETC DATE
1 Conference on Indian Foreign Policy, National 15 and 16
Interest and Economic Globalisation, New Delhi April 1995
2 SAARC Summit 2 to 4 May 1995
3 50th Anniversary of UN, Release of Commemorative 26 June 1995
Coin, New Delhi
4 Trilateral Agreement India, Iran and Turkmenistan 27 to 29
on Transport and Transit, New Delhi June 1995
5 2nd Special Session of the SAARC Standing Committee 25 and 26
of SAARC Foreign Secretaries, New Delhi August 1995
6 Meetings of the Finance/Planning Secretaries and 6 to 8
Group of Secretaries for Rural Development and September 1995
Poverty Eradication, New Delhi
7 6th Meeting of the SAARC Committee on Economic 16 and 17
Cooperation, New Delhi November 1995
8 16th Session of the Programming Committee of 18 and 19
SAARC countries December 1995
9 21st Session of the Standing Committee of the 15 to 17
Foreign Secretaries of SAARC countries December 1995
10 16th Session of the Council of Ministers of the SAARC 18 and 19
countries December 1995
11 2nd Meeting of the SAARC Finance/Planning Ministers 3 and 4
January 1996
12 9th Round of Indo-EU Troika Talks, New Delhi
In addition, the Conference Cell also provided assistance to other Ministries/Departments
of Government of India in organising international conferences. The Conference Cell
particularly provided assistance for the following Conferences-
(i) Regional Seminar on UN Peace Keeping Operations, New Delhi.
(ii) Introduction to India for Resident Diplomats by Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi
(iii) Fifth Indira Gandhi International Conference (making of an Indian Ocean Community),
New Delhi
(iv) Conferment of honorary doctorate on the visiting Prime Minister of Namibia
(v) Conferences handled by Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariats for
Parliamentarians/Speakers.
-208>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XVIII Major International Conferences/Meetings/ Seminars etc
|
Major International Conferences/Meetings/Seminars etc organised by Inter-Governmental
Organisations at which the Government of India was represented in 1995-96.
S NO TITLE OF CONFERENCE VENUE DATE
1 V Extended Training Programme on Ghaziabad 16 to 20
Business Management January 1995
2 Regional Workshop for Core Members of Bangkok 13 to 17
National Working Group on Gender Issues February 1995
3 Second Expert Meeting on Public Weather Geneva 3 to 6
Service Programme April 1995
4 Seminar on Express Product Jakarta 17 to 19
April 1995
5 International Meeting on Metropolitan Quito, 17 to 20
Governance Ecuador April 1995
6 23rd Session of Committee on Projects of Dhaka 19 to 22
International Jute Organisation April 1995
7 23rd Session of International Jute Council Dhaka 22 to 25
of IJO April 1995
8 2nd Preparatory Committee Meeting for Nairobi 24 April to
Habitat 11 5 May 1995
9 15th Session of UNCHS Nairobi 25 April to
1 May 1995
10 World Philatelic Exhibition 1995 Helsinki, 9 to 16
Finland May 1995
11 Meeting of the State Parties to United New York 14 to 24
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea May 1995
12 Meeting of Aviation Security Panel to Montreal, 21 to 31
review security arrangements of Air Canada May 1995
India at Toronto and London Airports
13 WMO Conference on Meteorological and Geneva 22 to 26
Hydrological Technology and its May 1995
Management
-209>
14 12th WMO Congress Geneva 30 May to
21 June 1995
15 Inter-Governmental Oceanographic Paris 6 to 13
Commission on Global Ocean Observing June 1995
System (GOOS)
16 UN Expert Group Meeting on Social Geneva 13 June 1995
Statistics
17 WMO Expert Meeting on Drought Geneva 28 to 30
Monitoring June 1995
18 Seminar on Managing the Seoul Postal Singapore 13 and 14
Strategy (SPS) July 1995
19 Meeting of Heads of Regional Toulouse, 24 to 28
Meteorological Centres (RMTCs) and WMO July 1995
Symposium on France Education & Training
in Meteorology & Operational Hydrology
20 Third Part of the First Session of the Jamaica 7 to 18
International Seabed Authority August 1995
21 Workshop on Management of Urban Water Kuala 21 to 25
Supply & Sanitation Lumpur August 1995
22 50th Session of International Beijing 21 to 29
Statistical Institute August 1995
23 Regional Consultations on "Access to Jakarta 28 to 30
Shelter and Secure Tenure" August 1995
24 Meeting of International Commission on Germany 4 to 8
Radiological Protection (ICRP) September 1995
25 Annual Meeting of the Governing Board of Singapore 4 to 12
Asian Pacific Postal Training Centre September 1995
(GB/APPTC); 7th Congress of Asian
Pacific Postal Union
26 Habitat Finance Conference of UNCHS Washington 10 to 13
September 1995
27 Expert Group Meeting on Construction New York 11 to 13
Statistics September 1995
28 Meeting on the Implementation of Bangkok 13 to 15
Agenda 21 for Integrated Water Management September 1995
in Asia and Pacific
-210>
29 Inception Workshop 'Inter-national Manila 18 to 21
Strengthening and Collection of September 1995
Environment Statistics in Selected
Developing Member Countries'
30 8th International Pyrheliometer Davos, 25 September to
Comparison and Regional Pyrheliometer Switzerland 14 October 1995
Comparison
31 2nd Meeting of the Internal Drafting Paris 8 to 14
Group of the Preparatory Committee for October 1995
the Habitat II Conference of UNCHS
32 Fellowship/Training Seminar on Waste Cuba 8 to 14
Treatment of Alcohol October 1995
33 HALON Technical Options Committee China 9 to 11
Meeting (HTOC) October 1995
34 Review of 1993 International Comparison Bangkok 16 to 20
Programme Data October 1995
35 Annual Session of Council of Berne, 16 to 26
Administration of Universal Postal Switzerland October 1995
Union
36 54th Plenary Meeting of the Manila 22 to 27
International Cotton Advisory Committee October 1995
37 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) test Muster, 22 to 27
and training inspection of old Germany October 1995
Chemical Weapons Storage, emptying and
destruction facilities
38 14th Meeting of the Commission of the Hobart, 22 October to
Scientific Committee for the Australia 4 November 1995
Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR)
39 WMO International Workshop on Limited Beijing 23 to 27
Area and Variable Resolution Models October 1995
40 Global Programme of Action for Washington 23 October to
Prevention of Degradation of Marine 3 November 1995
Environment arising from Land based
Activities
41 UN Expert Committee on Economics New York 24 to 25
October 1995
42 Task Force on Medical Treatment in The Hague, 24 to 27
relation to Chemical Agent Casualty Netherlands October 1995
43 Regional Seminar on Mega Cities Manila 24 to 30
Management in Asia and Pacific October 1995
-211>
44 3rd Global Forum of the Water Supply & Bridgetown, 30 October to
Sanitation Collaborative Council Barbados 3 November 1995
45 Publishers-UPU Contact Committee Meeting London 2 November 1995
46 Meeting of the International Forum on Washington 3 to 8
Forecasting El Nino November 1995
47 30th Session of FAO, Inter-Governmental Rome 6 to 8
Group on Jute, Kenaf & Allief Fibres November 1995
48 First Session of WMO CIMO Working Group Geneva 6 to 10
on Upper-Air Measurements November 1995
49 Policy Seminar on Migration Bangkok 6 to 10
November 1995
50 Capacity Assessment at the Factory Alabama, 7 to 10
Works of M/s EEC for supply of USA November 1995
Doppler Weather Radar
51 Implementation Coordination Meeting on New Delhi 13 to 18
GTS in Region II and 2nd Session of the November 1995
RA-II W/G on Planning and Implementation
of the WWW
52 5th International Study Seminar for Tokyo 13 to 22
Official Life Institution November 1995
53 Workshop on Pilot Project on Japan 18 to 21
Barrier-free Access to Disabled and November 1995
Elderly Persons
54 24th Session of Committee on Projects Dhaka 27 November 1995
of IJO
55 Commonwealth Workshop on Human Rights Cyprus 27 November to
1 December 1995
56 Meeting of the State Parties to UN New York 27 November to
Convention on the Law of the Sea 1 December 1995
57 Third Session of Ad hoc Group of State Geneva 27 November to
Parties Meeting on Biological Weapons 8 December 1995
Convention
58 Regional Workshop on Marine Pollution Singapore 4 to 7
Arising from Land and Sea based Activities December 1995
59 WMO Workshop on Numberical Wave Geneva 4 to 13
Analysis and Forecasting and the Workshop December 1995
on Computer assisted learning techniques
-212>
60 Conference on UN Peace Keeping Force- Singapore 11 to 13
Role & Functions of the Civilian Police in December 1995
PKOs: Briefing and Lessons
61 Meeting of the Independent World Tokyo 11 to 15
Commission on Oceans December 1995
62 WMO Executive Council Working Group on Geneva 15 to 17
Long Term Plan January 1996
-213>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XIX Major International Conferences/Meetings /Seminars organised by Non-Government
|
|
Major International Conferences/Meetings/Seminars organised by Non-Governmental Organisations in which Indian experts participated in their personal capacity with Government assistance in 1995-96.
S NO TITLE OF CONFERENCE VENUE DATE
1 2nd Indo-US Legal Forum Washington 13 to 26
May 1995
2 Worldwide Common Law Jurists Conference Williamsburg, 28 May to
Virginia, 2 June 1995
USA
3 8th Biennial Conference of the Edinburgh, 10 to 13
International Bar Association Scotland June 1995
4 Law Asia Conference of Chief Justices Beijing 16 to 20
August 1995
5 Commonwealth Chief Justices Conference Ottawa 24 to 29
September 1995
6 Opening of the Legal year London 1 October 1995
7 Annual Meeting of US National Atlanta, 5 to 8
Association of Women Judges USA October 1995
-214>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XX Miscellaneous major International Conferences etc in 1995-96
|
Miscellaneous major International Conferences etc in 1995-96 at which the Government of India was represented or in which Indian experts participated in their personal
capacities
with Government of India's assistance.
S NO TITLE OF CONFERENCE ETC VENUE DATE
1 SAARC LAW Conference of the Chief Kathmandu 31 March to
Justices of SAARC countires 2 April 1995
2 Meeting of Experimental Biologists USA 20 days in
(Atlanta); Deliver lectures/seminars April 1995
(Universities of Philadelphia and
Galveston)
3 MRS-1995 Symposium 'B'- Defect and San Fransisco 17 to 21
Impurity Engineered Semiconductors & USA April 1995
Devices during MPS 1995 Spring Meeting
4 27th Session of Coodex Committee on The Hague, 24 April to
Pesticide Residue Netherlands 1 May 1995
5 CIB Wolrd Building Congress & General Amsterdam, 8 to 10
Assembly of CIB Netherlands May 1995
6 IEEE International Radar Conference 95 Alexandria, 8 to 11
Virginia, USA May 1995
7 13th Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Florida, 15 to 18
Technical Conference and Seminar; Post- USA May 1995
Conference tour to M/s Conax Florida
Corporation
8 Expert Group Meeting; Workshop on Netherlands 15 to 19
Module-I Training by PTS of Preparatory May 1995
Commission of OPCW
9 15th International Symposium on Israel 21 to 24
Ballistics May 1995
10 6th Asian Congress of Fluid Mechanics Singapore 22 to 26
(ACFM) May 1995
11 3rd European Air Defence Symposium UK 30 May to
1 June 1995
12 Council Session of International Sugar Sao Paulo, 30 May to
Organisation Brazil 2 June 1995
-215>
13 108th Session of FAO Rome 3 to 7
June 1995
14 6th International Symposium on Stockholm, 11 to 16
Protection against CBW Agents Sweden June 1995
15 Rockefeller Foundation Meeting New York 17 to 27
(New York); Indo-UK Defence June 1995
Consultative Group Meeting
16 123rd IWC World Grain Conference Helsinki, 20 and 21
Finland June 1995
17 International Workshop TW 95 on Tomsk 26 to 29
Chemical Gas-dynamics and Combustion Russia June 1995
of Energetic Materials
18 International Conference on "Society, Russia 26 June to
Stress and Health: Strategies in the 2 July 1995
countries of Europe"
19 14th EURO Conference Jerusalem, 3 to 6
Israel July 1995
20 7th Session of Regional Commission on Bangkok 3 to 8
Food Security for Asia and Pacific July 1995
21 31st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Sheraton 10 to 12
Propulsion Conference and Exhibition Harbor lsland, July 1995
San Diego,
USA
22 Coordination Meeting and Preparation of Israel 12 July to
Test Plan for Evaluation of EW System 10 August 1995
23 Gordon Research Conference on High New 16 to 21
Temperature Corrosio Hampshire, July 1995
USA
24 International Conference on Research Seattle 24 to 28
'PIERS-95' (Progress in Washington July 1995
Electromagnetic Research Symposium)
25 Workshop on Harmonisation of Category B Netherlands 3 and 4
(Chemical Warfare and Defence) and August 1995
Category D (Inspection Procedure) of
Module-I Training Syllabus
26 International Field Mission Symposium Madison, 7 to 11
(IFES-95) at University of Wisconsin USA August 1995
-216>
27 International Conference Beijing 14 to 16
August 1995
28 Renewal of Protocol on Inland Water Dhaka 17 to 23
Transit and Trade with Bangladesh August 1995
29 International Symposium on Zhukovsky, 22 to 27
Experimental Facilities & Aircraft Moscow August 1995
Certification
30 10th International Congress of Wurzberg, 27 August to
Radiation Research (10th ICRR) Germany 1 September 1995
31 10th ICRR, Chair Symposium on Germany, 27 August to
Photodynamic Therapy and 6th Congress UK 1 September 1995
of European Society for Photobiology 3 to 8
September 1995
32 Opening Plenary Session between ASEAN Bangkok 28 to 30
and Indian Science and Technology August 1995
Officials; 4th ASEAN Science &
Technology Week
33 2nd World Women's Conference Beijing 31 August to
3 September 1995
34 ISSCT Congress Colombia 7 to 15
September 1995
35 12th International Symposium on Air- Australia 10 to 15
breathing Engines (12th ISABE) September 1995
36 ISSCT Congress of International Sugar Colombia 11 and 12
Technologists September 1995
37 2nd European Guns, Mortars and Srivenham 11 to 13
Ammunition Symposium September 1995
38 3rd International Workshop on Advanced Capri,Naples, 19 and 20
Infra-red Technology and Applications Italy September 1995
39 Administrative Committee of ISO London and 29 September 1995
Havana,Cuba 4 to 6
October 1995
40 International Trade Fair Iran 2 to 5
October 1995
41 Ministerial Meeting on World Food Canada 14 to 23
Security October 1995
42 International Conference on Grain Bangkok 17 to 25
Drying in Asia October 1995
-217>
43 8th World Conference on Titanium Birmingham, 22 to 26
UK October 1995
44 International Conference on Image Washington 23 to 26
Processing (ICIP 95) October 1995
45 Sixth International Conference on Boston, 24 to 26
Signal Processing Application and USA October 1995
Technology (ICSPAT)
46 SPIE's Microelectronics Manufacturing Austin, Texas, 25 to 27
95 Symposium USA October 1995
47 National Conference of Bankruptcy New Orleans, 29 October to
Judges USA 1 November 1995
48 SAARC Experts' Panel Meeting on Karachi 21 to 23
(i) Agro-meteorology, November 1995
(ii) Climatology & Data Exchange and
(iii) Meteorological Instrumentation
49 1995 IEEE International Conference on Perth, 26 November to
Neural networks (ICNN 95) Australia I December 1995
50 1995 Materials Research Society fall Boston, 27 November to
Meeting USA I December 1995
51 Informal Consultations between World London 27 November to
Association of Beet and Cane-Growers 1 December 1995
Association and Meeting of ISO
52 IEEE Asia Pacific Workshop on Mobile South Korea 30 November to
Telecommunication 2 December 1995
53 2nd Neem Awareness Workshop Moita, 3 to 10
Kenya December 1995
54 SAARC Seminar-cum-Workshop on Topical Calcutta 5 to 8
Cyclones and Forecasting December 1995
55 12th Australasia Fluid Mechanics Sydney 10 to 15
Conference (12th AFMC) December 1995
56 12th Australian Fluid Mechanics Sydney 10 to 15
Conference (12th AFMC) December 1995
57 Third Asia-Pacific International Hong Kong 11 to 15
Symposium on Combustion and Energy December 1995
Utilisation
58 The 1995 Asia Money Laundering Tokyo 12 to 14
Symposium December 1995
-218>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XXI Meetings/Conferences held under the aegis of NAM
|
Meetings/Conferences held under the aegis of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) d
uring 1995-
96.
S NO TITLE OF THE CONFERENCE VENUE DATE
1 NAM Foreign Ministers Meetings in Bandung Bandung 21 to 28
April 1995
2 11th NAM Summit at Cartagena, Colombia Cartagena 15 to 20
October 1995
-219>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XXII International Organisations of which India became a member or ceased to be a member
|
International Organisations of which India became a member or ceased to be a
member during
1995-96.
S NO NAME OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF WHICH INDIA BECAME A MEMBER DUR
ING 1995-96
1 Government Board of Statistical Institute for Asia and Pacific
2 Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), Washington (For one year)
3 Society Computer Simulation (SCS), San Diego, USA (For five years)
4 Special Library Association (SLA), USA (For one year)
5 ISA-1992 (Upto 31 December 1995 unless the Agreement extended or terminated e
arlier by
organisation)
-220>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XXIII Outgoing Performing Arts Delegations (ICCR)
|
Outgoing Performing Arts Delegations (ICCR) (April to December 1995).
S NO COUNTRY TYPE OF GROUP PERIOD
1 North Korea Natya Ballet Centre 8 to 18 April 1995
and Folk Dance Group
Mongolia from New Delhi 19 to 27 April 1995
2 Canada Nandita Basu 12 to 20 April
Odissi Dancer 1995
3 USA Shri T H Subhash 14 to 23 April
Chandran (Ghattam) 1995
Dr N Ramani (Carnatic flute)
4 United Arab Rabindra Sangeet Artistes 21 to 28 May
Emirates from Calcutta 1995
Shri Abhirup G Thakurta
Shrimati Bulbul Sengupta
Shrimati Srabani Chatterjee
Shrimati Keshab Mukherjee
(Accompanist)
Shri Anjan Bose (Accompanist)
5 USA and Chitra Viswesvaran Bharatnatyam 7 to 27 May
Canada Dancer and her troupe 1995
6 France 13-Member Group from Stop Gaps 24 to 28 May
Cultural Academy (Bombay) 1995
REMARKS
1 Performed at the 13th April Spring
Friendship Art Festival, at Pyong Yang
and performed in Mongolia
2 To give performances, lecture &
demonstration at the invitation of
Manobor Arts
3 To perform at the St Thyagaraja Music
Festival in Cleveland, USA oganised by
Bhairavi Non-Profit Association Inc
4 Tagore week organised by Abu Dhabi
Cultural Foundation
5 To give performance at the invitation
of Palavan Cultural Organisation,
New Jersey
6 To participate in the Festival of Inter-
national De Chant Choral De Nancy
-221>
7 Jamaica Pandit Ram Mohan Kathak 9 to 16 May
Dancer and Dance Teacher at 1995
Paramaribo (Suriname)
8 USA Pandit Bhimsen Joshi 21 to 28 May
(Hindustani Vocal) 1995
9 France Dr Balamurali Krishna and 10 to 14 June
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan 1995
10 USA Shri Sudhir Moghe 7 to 14 July
Shri Debu Deodhar 1995
from Pune
11 Russia 12-Member Folk Dance 28 June to
Hungary and Music Group from 22 July 1995
Belurussia Rajasthan
Germany Kohinoor Langa & party
Estonia
12 Mauritius 10-Member Tera Tali and 19 June to
Madagascar Manganiyar Group from 3 July 1995
Rajasthan
13 USA 12 Handicapped artistes from 29 June to
Andhra Pradesh led by 13 July 1995
Shri V Murlidhar
REMARKS
7 To give performances on the occasion of
150th Anniversary celebration of
landing of Indians in Jamaica
8 To give performances
9 To perform at UNESCO in Paris in
connection with the First Gandhi
Memorial Lecture delivered by Prime
Minister of India on 12 June
10 To participate in the 7th convention of
Brihan Maharashtra Mandal" Houston
11 To participate in Krasnoyarsk Festival
Folk Dance and Music Festival in Minsk
and to perform in Finland, Germany
and Estonia
12 To coincide with "Made in India"
Exhibition Mauritius and to perform in
Madagascar on the occasion of 35th
Anniversary Celebrations of independence
of Madagascar
13 To perform at the Telegu Mah'a Sabha
in Chicago
-222>
14 France Dance and Theatre Groups and 7 to 30 July
Troupe: 1995
Kathak-Birju Maharaj
Kuchipudi-Vempati
Chinna Satyam and troupe
Repertory Theatre
Thaiyyam and his Theatre Group
Ashok Vajpai and 5-Member
Group
15 Kyrghyzstan Sonu Nigam 25 to 31 August
Play-back Singer (Bombay) 1995
16 USA Malani Rajurkar 27 August to
and Three Vocalist from Bombay 4 October 1995
17 Bhutan 14-Member Bihu Group of 12 to 18 August
Alonkar Ghosti Guwahati, Assam 1995
18 Sri Lanka INT Folk Dance Group from 12 to 18 August
Rajkot, Gujarat 1995
19 Greece 28-Member Habib Tanvir Group 23 August to
Germany 3 September 1995
20 South Africa Raja & Radha Reddy 25 August to
Mozambique and Troupe 21 September 1995
Botswana
Zambia
14 To participate in the Avignon Festival
15 1000th Anniversary of Epic Manas
16 To perform at various Universities in
USA at the invitation of Dr B N Dixit
of Centre for the Performing Arts of
India, University of Pittsburg
17 For Independence Day Celebrations
18 For Independence Day Celebrations
19 To give performances
20 To give performances af the invitation
of the Indian Dance Academy of
South Africa
-223>
21 Germany Bhaswati Mishra, and Krishan 29 August to
Sweden Mohan Mishra. Kathak 29 September 1995
Denmark Group from New Delhi
Ireland
Belgium
Netherlands
Switzerland
Poland
Hungary
22 Syria 14-Member Folk Dance Group 5 to 29 September
Iraq led by Shri Bhagwan Sahu 1995
from Orissa
23 South Korea 12-Member Himachal 16 September to
Folk Dance Group 5 October 1995
24 Israel Kiran Segal Group 16 September to
Egypt (Odissi Dance) 22 October 1995
Morocco
Tunisia
Nigeria
Malta
Libya
25 Japan Ms Tanaka 14 September to
(Bharatnatyam Dancer) 11 October 1995
with three Accompanists
26 Nepal Ramlila Group of Sri Ram 24 October to
Bharatiya Kala Kendra 1 November 1995
27 Oman 10-Member Amala Shankar 28 October to
Ballet Troupe 3 November 1995
21 To participate in the Festival held at
Bremen and to perform in other
countries
22 Al Basra International Festival in Syria
and International Babylon Festival in
Iraq
23 To perform at the International Folk
Festival and Kwanju Biennial
24 To perform at the opening of the
Exhibition on the Hindu Temple and
Architecture and visit to other countries
for performances organised by the
Missions
25 To give performances
26 To Participate in Dussehra Celebrations
in Kathmandu
27 To perform at the Anniversary
celebrations of the Sultanate of Oman
-224>
28 Colombia Folk Group 3 September to
Cuba of Maulik Shah and 4 November 1995
Peru Ishira Parikh
Mexico (Kathak Dance)
Venezuela
Panama
29 Belgium Rajasthani folk Dance 21 to 26 November
Kumar Bose (Tabla Exponent) 1995
30 Indonesia Dance Group of 17 to 28 November
Usha Venkateshwaran 1995
31 Mauritius 5-Member Kuchipudi 21 to 28 November
Dance Troupe of 1995
Snehlatha Bhaskaran
32 Thailand (i) Anand Lal (Shehnai) 11 to 22 December
(ii) Kathak from Kadamb 1995
(iii) Manipuri Group of Jagoi Marup
(iv) Pungcholam Group from Manipur
(v) Aaviskar Folk Dance Group
from Gujarat
(vi) Purulia Chhau Group from
West Bengal
(vii) Snow & Lion Dance Group from
Sikkim
(viii) Wedding Dance from Leh (J & K)
(ix) Giddah Group (Gurmeet Bawa)
33 Cambodia 17-Member Group of 26 December to
International Centre for 2 January 1996
Kathakali, New Delhi
28 To perform at the NAM Summit and
to visit other countries in the region
29 To perform at a concert 'Sitar to Gitar'
Invitation received from Yehudi
Menuhin
30 For participation in the 50th Year of
Independence of Indonesia
31 To perform at Telegu Maha Sabha
1st Telegu Teacher Conference at
Port Louis
32 To perform at the Festival of
India in Thailand
33 To participate in the International
Ramayana Festival at Ankor Vat"
Cambodia.
-225>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XXIV Incoming Performing Delegation (ICCR) (April to December 1995).
|
Incoming Performing Delegation (ICCR) (April to December 1995).
1 The Council" in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Embassy of Por
tugal and the Gulbenkin Foundation,. Portugal" organised the "Festival of Portugal in India" in April 1995.
2 The Council" in collaboration with the Department of Culture and the Embassy
of Turkmenistan, organised "Days of Turkmen Culture in India" from 7 to 14 June 1995.
3 The Rajhans Orchestra from Belgium performed on 14 August 1995.
4 A Music and Dance Group from Indonesia performed on 24 August 1995.
5 The Council" in collaboration with the Department of Culture and the Embassy
of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, organised "Days of Vietnam Culture in India" on 3 September 1995. The Group also performed in Bombay and Calcutta.
6 On the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister of Denmark, the Council,
in Collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy and India International Centre (IIC), organised a puppet show on 3 September 1995 at IIC, New Delhi.
7 Renowned Israeli East West Musical Ensemble performed in Delhi on 9 Septembe
r 1995.
8 The Council, in collaboration with the India International Centre (IIC), org
anised a Bharatnatyam recital by Mavin Khoo from Malaysia on 24 September 1995.
9 The Council" in collaboration with the Embassy of Indonesia, presented 'Ramay
ana' by the visiting Indonesian Ramayana Ballet group at Azad Bhavan, New Delhi.
10 The Council, in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (I
GNCA) and the Italian Embassy, organised a Programme of Contemporary Dances by Enzo Cosim
i Dance
Company from Italy on 2 November 1995.
11 A traditional Dance Group from South Korea performed on 12 September 1995.
12 The New Leipzig String Quartet from Germany performed in Delhi on 18 Novembe r 1995.
They also performed in Hyderabad, Calcutta, Bombay and Bangalore.
13 Musical concerts by Trio Passagio from Netherlands performed on 27 November
1995. The Group also presented their performances in Hyderabad, Calcutta, Bombay, Bangalore and Madras.
-226>
14 The Council" in collaboration with the Department of Culture and the Embassy
of the Russian Federation organised "Days of Russian Culture in India" from 1 to 15 December
1995.
The following Cultural Performing Groups of Russia had participated in the E
vent:-
(a) 42-Member Kremlin Ballet;
(b) 32-Member Pyatnitsky State Academic Folk Dance Group;
(c) 14-Member Circus Group;
(d) 8-Member Gypsy Dance Group; and
(e) 6-Member Baroque Chamber Orchestra.
15 The Council" in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise, hosted the visit
of a French
Dance Company "Le Ballet Preljocaj in December 1995. Apart from Group's Perform
ance in Delhi on 11 December at Shriram Centre" the Group also performed in Hyderabad" Madras" Bombay and Calcutta.
16 A Seminar on "India and Central Asia" was organised by the Council from 15 t
o 20 December 1995. Four Cultural Groups from Mongolia, Russia, Turkmenistan and Kyrghyzstan performed in Delhi on 17 and 18 December 1995.
-227>
|
1995
APPENDIX-XXV Special Programme in honour of VVIP UCCR)visitors/delegates/conferences
|
|
Special Programme in honour of VVIP UCCR) visitors/delegates/conferences.
1 The Council organised a performance by Asha Singh Mastana and Group on 29 Ju
ne 1995 in connection with the Mango Festival in honour of the Heads of various Foreign Missions.
2 On the request of Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack, the Council organised a Dance
Ballet "Gautam Buddha" by the performing artistes of Kala Vikash Kendra on 8 July 1995.
3 On the request of All India Minorities Front, the Council organised a cultur
al programme on 20 August 1995 on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, at India International Centre, New Delhi.
4 On the occasion of the inauguration of renovated auditorium by the Finance M
inister Dr Manmohan Singh on 26 August 1995, the Council also organised a cultural evening highlighting a Ballet "Chandalika" by Geetanjali Troupe from Calcutta and Flute
recital by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia in Council's Auditorium.
5 In honour of the President of Mali" the Council organised a cultural program
me `Taal Vadya Kutcheri" by Pandit Birju Maharaj at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
6 The Council organised a Lecture Demonstration by Shri Jiwan Pani followed by
Bharatanatyam by Maithili Kasar and Kathak by Parul Singh on 7 September 1995 a
t Tagore Hall, Azad Bhavan, New Delhi.
7 The Council organised Bharatanatyam recital by Nandini V Rangan on 15 Septem
ber 1995 at Tagore Hall, Azad Bhavan, New Delhi.
8 In honour of the visiting cricket team from West Indies the Council organise
d a performance by the Kinnaur Folk Dance Group from Himachal on 27 September 1995 at Ashok Convention Hall, New Delhi.
9 The Council organised a dance performance by Kumari Folk Dance group on 29 S
eptember 1995, a Choreographic Composition War Nari' (Man-woman) in Kathak style by Maulik Shah and Ishira Parikh at Tagore Hall" Azad Bhavan, New Delhi.
10 In honour of the delegation participating in the XIII National Conference of
IMACGP organised by the Indian Medical Association, the Council organised a Kathak recital by Neera Batra on 8 October 1995 at Tagore Hall" Azad Bhavan" New Delhi.
11 The Council" in collaboration with the Ministry of Information" organised a
musical evening on 12 October 1995 to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi"
featuring famous patriotic songs of poet Pradeep that inspired three generation
s, presented by Mahendra Kapoor and Anuradha Paudwal at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi.
-228>
12 In honour of the delegates participating in the Conference "AIDS" Law and Hu
manity" organised by the Indian Law Institute" the Council presented a Bharatanatyam Recital by Ms Leela Samson on 6 December 1995 at Tagore Hall, Azad Bhavan, New Delhi.
13 For the participants of the meeting between the Indian Ocean Rim Community B
usiness and Academic Groups" the Council presented an Odissi Recital by Ms Madhvi Mudgal on13 December 1995 at FICCI Auditorium" New Delhi.
-229>
|
|
1995
APPENDIX-XXVI Exhibition (Outgoing and Incoming) for 1995-96 (ICCR Exhibition (Outgoing and Incoming) for 1995-96 (ICCR).
|
S NO TITLE OF EXHIBITION COUNTRY PERIOD NAME OF COMMISSIONER/
ARTIST SPONSORED
OUTGOING EXHIBITIONS
1 Paintings, Drawings United Arab 21 to 26 May
and Manuscripts of Emirates 1995
Gurudev Rabindra
Nath Tagore
2 Photograph entitled UK June 1995
'Rocks of Ladakh'
3 Exhibition of Tagore UK October 1995 Jaya Thyaparajan
Paintings
4 'Dialogues of Culture' Germany October 1995 N N Rizmon
5 Photographs of Guyana 1995
Maulana Azad
6 International Cultural Indonesia 1995
Event 'Istiqlal Mosque
Festival'
REMARKS
1 ICCR sponsored an exhibition for
participation in 'Tagore Week'
held between 21-26 May 1995 at
Abu Dhabi in collaboration with
Embassy of India" Abu Dhabi
Cultural Foundation
2 ICCR helped to organise an
exhibition of Sharat Kumar at
The Nehru Centre, London
3 Exhibition was held at ICC,
London and the artist was
sponsored by Air India to hold the
exhibition
4 N N Rizmon was provided travel
grant for participation in the
exhibition
5 To organise a series of exhibition
on Maulana Saheb by ICC,
Georgetown
6 On the occasioh of 50th anniversary
of Independence Day of Indonesia"
Council sent publications on Sufism
and Muslims in India along with
enlarged photographs of historical
Mughal Monuments in India
-230>
7 Bronze Bust of Norway August 1995
Mahatma Gandhi
8 Bronze Bust of Panama September 1995
Mahatma Gandhi
9 Bronze Bust of USA April 1995
Mahatma Gandhi
INCOMING EXHIBITIONS
1 `Buddhism-Focus on ICCR's July 1995
Asia' Film Festival Auditorium
2 Handicrafts & Lalit Kala October 1995
Photographs Academy
3 Photography on Bangalore and June/July 1995
Maulana Azad Thiruvananth-
puram
REMARKS
7 A bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi
was transported to Norway to be
installed in the Indo-Scandinavik
Literary & Cultural Forum during
August 1995
8 Two bronze bust of Mahatma
Gandhi were sent to Panama for
installation at the Republic De La
School" Panama and in District
David in Panama
9 A bronze bust of Mahatma
Gandhi was sent for installation at
St Louis" State of Missouri" USA
1 In collaboration with Cinemaya,
ICC organised film festival in
ICCR's Auditorium. Films were
later sent to Calcutta for screening
2 Exhibition was presented by ICCR
under Indo-Vietnam CEP
3 A photographic exhibition was
organised in ICCR's regional offices
at Bangalore and Thiruvananth-
puram on Maulana Azad.
-231>
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|
1995
APPENDIX-XXVII Outgoing Visitors (ICCR) Outgoing Visitors (ICCR).
|
S NO NAME OF PERSON COUNTRY PURPOSE
1 Shri Giriraj Kishore South To collect material for a
Head, Centre for Creative Africa novel on Mahatma Gandhi
Writing & Publication
IIT, Kanpur
2 Shri K L Nandan UK To deliver a lecture at the
Editor-in-Chief Faculty of Oriental
Sunday Mail (Hindi) Delhi Studies, Cambridge
3 Shri M Shamim USA To attend the 38th
Freelance Journalist San Francisco International
Delhi Film Festival
4 Shri Shujaat Hussain USA To perform at the
Sitarist University of Texas and
Delhi give lecture demonstration
workshop for students
5 Professor Suhas UK For completing his project
Chakravarty Delhi on V K Krishna Menon
6 Shri A K Kunte and Mauritius To participate in a
Shri Anish Pradhan programme aganged at the
Bombay Mahatma Gandhi Institute"
Mauritius
7 Mrs Shobita Punja Syria At the invitation of Lt
Delhi Mustafa Tlass,Syrian
Minister of Defence
PERIOD
1 2 April to
1 May 1995
2 1 April to
1 May 1995
3 20 April to
4 May 1995
4 26 April to
14 June 1995
5 14 May to
14 June 1995
6 28 April to
7 May 1995
7 8 May to
14 May 1995
-232>
8 Shri Bharat Gupt Associate Greece To deliver lecture on Indian
Professor of English, Theatre musicology and inte-
College of Vocational raction with the counterparts
Studies University of in the Greek University
Delhi, Delhi
9 Professor Daya Krishna UK On the occasion of the
the Editor" Journal of inauguration of a new part-
Indian Philosophical time post in Indian philosophy
Research" at King"s College" London
Jaipur
10 Shri Kailash Pandya Canada To participate in the Interna-
Darpana Academy of tional Conference on Stage
Performing Arts organised by the University of
Ahmedabad Quebec in Montreal
11 Shri L L Mehrotra Bangladesh Goodwill visit
Former Secretary Bhutan
Ministry of External
Affairs
12 Professor P K Bhanja UK To Participate in a programme
Former Principal of of music recitals & lecture
Sangeet Bhavan Visva and demonstration-cum-
Bharati and his exhibition at Holesworth
wife Shrimati Tulu Bhanja Gallery Suffolk
13 Professor Qamar Rais Uzbekistan To deliver talks/lectures on
Department of Urdu" Modern Indian Literature of
University of Delhi, Oriental Studies, Tashkent
Delhi.
14 Shri H S Prasad Germany To participate in an academic
Department of Philosophy Project on Creative Peace
University of Delhi, through encounter of world
Delhi cultures
8 15 May to
15 July 1995
9 19 May to 22
May 1995
10 21 May to
27 May 1995
11 29 May to
2 June
8 to 15 June 1995
12 26 May to
15 June 1995
14 14 May to
13 July 1995
-233>
15 Professor Naseer Ahmed USA To present a paper at the
Khan Associate Professor Round Table of the 17th South
of Urdu Jawaharlal Nehru Asian Languages and Analysis"
Uiniversity Delhi University of Texas" Austin,
USA
16 Shri Waman Partikar Israel To attend Home Institution
Marathi Writer Programme for Preschool
Bombay Youngsters (HIPPY)
International Workshop
17 Shri Ashok Vajpayi Colombia To participate in the Vth
Joint Secretary International Festival of
Department of Culture poems held at Medellin"
Delhi Colombia
18 Shri Ajay Sharma of USA To participate in a series of
Rikhiram & Sons Work-shops on Musical
Delhi Instruments
19 Shri Satish Gujral Czechoslovakia To exchange ideas with artists
Painter, Muralist & Israel & architects of that country
Architect, Delhi
20 Professor Satish Kumar Switzerland To deliver the Annual Nehru
School of International Memorial lecture
Studies, Jawaharlal
Nehru Uiniversity, Delhi
21 Dr S Harindra Srivastava Netherlands To participate in a cultural
ARSD College, discussion on "Inherent Spirit
Delhi University & consciousness of patriotism
in Indian culture"'
22 Shri Rati Saran Sharma Venezuela To attend the XXVI
General Secretary International Theatre Institu-
Bharatiya Natya Sangh te UNESCO World Congress
Delhi
15 2 to 4 June
1995
16 5 to 15 June
1995
17 7 to 14 June
1995
18 10 June to
9 September
1995
19 10 to 30 June
1995
20 12 to 17 June
1995
21 16 June to
2 July 1995
22 23 to 30 June
1995
-234>
23 Dr Anima Bose, Director South To participate in the IV
Centre for Peace Africa International Symposium "On
Education Delhi the Contributions of
Psychology to Peace"
24 Shri Amit Singh Australia To participate in 21st
lInd year English Honours Australian Intervarsity
and Shri Anupam Martins" Debating Competition at
Ist year Economics Honours Monash University Claytown
St Stephen's College" Campus in Melbourne
Delhi
25 Dr Lolita Nehru UK To participate & present a
Head" Department of paper in the European
History of Art" National Association of South
Museum Asian Archaeologists
Delhi Conference held in Cambridge
26 Ms Anuradha Kunte France To attend International
Centre for French Association of Conference
Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Interpreters (AIIC)
University" Delhi held in Paris
27 Shri Suresh Awasthi Australia To attend the International
former Chairman Conference of Music & Dance
National School of Drama held in Melborne
28 Dr Partha Chattopadhyaya USA To participate in 125th birth
Writer-Journalist anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Anand Bazar Patrika and to talk on "The
Calcutta Relevance of Mahatma
Gandhi's message in the
present day world" at Gandhi
Centre" St Louis
29 Dr H K Ranganath USA To attend an interface on
Gandhi Centre of Science lnter Cultural Communication
and Human Values" at Rochester
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,
Bangalore
23 24 to 30 June
1995
24 2 to 9 July 1995
25 3 to 7 July 1995
26 4 to 22 July 1995
27 10 to 15 July
1995
28 18 July to
8 August 1995
29 11 to 15 July
1995
-235>
30 Shri Sunil Mukherjee Kenya To participate as Adjudicator
Sarod Player, in the Annual Kenya Music
Delhi Festival held in Nairobi
31 Shri Abu Abraham South To give lectures on
Saranarn Africa cartooning on journalism in
Golf Links Road, India
Tiruvananthapuram
32 Dr Vinaybala Mehta Japan To attend the 25th Triennial
Vice-President India International Conference on
Federation of Universities women in Japan
33 Professor Indranath Kyrghyzstan To participate in the seminar
Choudhuri Secretary, on '"Epic Manas" at Bishkek
Sahitya Akademi,
New Delhi
34 Professor K N Pandita Tajikistan Goodwill visit
Potedar House
Jawahar Nagar
35 Professor Lallan Parasad Mexico To deliver series of lectures
Vyas Secretary General on Balmiki Ramayan at the
Vishwa Bahitya Sanskriti University in Mexico
Sanstan, Delhi
36 Professor Olivinho J F Portugal To work on the pre-Portuguese
Gomes Professor & Head Ramayana & Mahabharata
Department of Konkani" Manuscript in Konkani
Goa University"
Goa
30 1 to 9 August
1995
31 16 August to
2 September
1995
32 18 to 25 August
1995
33 27 and 28
August 1995
34 24 September to
22 October 1995
35 15 to 23
September 1995
36 1 September to
10 October 1995
-236>
37 Shri Jagdish R Hiremath, Trinidad & To attend a conference on
Retired Ambassador, Tobago "Challenge & change; the
Delhi Indian diaspora in its
historical & contemporary
contexts"
38 Professor Gopi Chand UK To deliver two lectures, "The
Narang Professor of Urdu, Changing Panorama of Urdu
Delhi Literature" and "Challenges of
Post Modernism New Trends in
Urdu Fiction" the Return of
the Story"
39 Shri Brij Bhasin UK To participate in South Asian
President" Crafts Conference
Vrindavan, Delhi
40 Ms Sunanda Roy, Germany To attend the Youth Festival
Musician European Classical Music
Delhi
41 Professor Varyam Singh Kazakhstan To attend the 150th Birth
Jawaharlal Nehru Anniversary of the poet Abai
Uuniversity" Delhi Kunanbaev
Dr Abdus Samad
Patna, Bihar
42 Professor R P Kaushik Trinidad & To participate in
Jawaharlal Nehru Tobago International Conference on
University, Delhi Indian Diaspora
Dr Bindeshwar Ram,
Deputy Director"
Indian Council of Historical
Research" Delhi
43 Mrs Anees Jung, France Goodwill visit
Delhi
37 7 to 22 August
1995
38 6 to 22 August
1995
39 17 to 21
September 1995
40 6 to 29 August
1995
41 8 to 11 August
1995
42 11 to 18 August
1995
43 1 to 7 September
1995
-237>
44 Shri Sudhir Dhar Germany To attend Kito Festival
Shri T K Unnithan in Breman
Shri B B Mehar
Shri S Ansari
45 Dr Parimal Kumar Das Indonesia Goodwill visit
Professor,
Department of South Asian
Studies"
Jawaharlal Nehru
University" Delhi
46 Ms Radha Sharma" France To participate in a symposium
Delhi held at University of Rennes
47 Professor Abdul Kalam Mauritius To participate in the 25th
Qasmi Department of Urdu" Anniversary of the 1995
Aligarh Muslim University" National Urdu Institute"
Aligarh Mauritius
48 Dr R R Subramanian South To participate in a seminar
Senior Research Associate Africa at the University of
Defence Studies & Analyses, Witwatersrand Johannesburg
Delhi
49 Dr Rashmi Sudha Puri, Kyrghyzstan To participate in a seminar
Director, Department of on Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy
Gandhian Studies" Punjab
University" Chandigarh
50 Shri Bashier Ahmed Mayukh UK To participate in the Kavi
Hindi Poet" Sammelans in London and
Kota" Manchester
Rajasthan
44 30 September to
10 October 1995
45 4 to 15
September 1995
46 8 and 9
September 1995
47 14 to 20
September 1995
48 4 September to
5 October 1995
49 29 September to
6 October 1995
50 14 and 15
October 1995
-238>
51 Shri Bekal Utsahi UK To attend Kavi Sammelans in
Ex-M P (Rajya Sabha) London and Manchester
New Delhi
52 Dr Gieve Patel" Israel To participate in a seminar on
Bombay Creativity in Indian Culture
53 Professor N C Sengupta Bangladesh To participate in 7th Asian
Principal Art Bienniel 1995
College of Art" New Delhi
54 Professor Rasheeduddi Indonesia To participate in the seminar
Khan New Delhi on Islam and Global Community
55 Shri Narendra Kumar Kazakhstan To publish biographies of the
Haranand Publications Presidents of Central Asian
New Delhi Republics
51 13 to 21 October 1995
52 5 to 13 November 1995
53 2 to 9 November 1995
54 14 to 18 November 1995
55 13 to 19 February 1995
-239>
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|
1995
APPENDIX-XXVIII Incoming Visitors (ICCR)
|
Incoming Visitors (ICCR).
S NO NAME OF THE PERSON COUNTRY PURPOSE
1 Dr Rupert Snell UK To meet his counterparts
Reader in Hindi, Department
of Indology and of the
Languages & Culture, South
Asia University of London
2 3-Member Theatre Group Sri Lanka To meet their counterparts
3 4-Member delegation of Ghana Goodwill visit
Students accompanied by a
teacher (winner of
Shankar's International
Children's Competition)
4 Gen Arnold Quinoo and his Ghana To meet their counterparts
wife
5 Dr Patick Seyon Liberia To meet their counterparts
President of the University
of Liberia and his wife
6 Mr Mourtazo Ostanaev Tajikistan To meet his counterparts
President of Tajikistan
Hotel/Intourist and
Vice-President of the CIS
Federation of Intourist
7 Dr Irina Clushkova Russia To meet her counterparts
Indologist, Linguist and
Professor, Centre for
Indian Studies, Institute
of Orientology, Moscow
PERIOD
1 1 to 23 April 1995
2 14 to 26 April 1995
3 16 to 30 May 1995
4 25 May to 8 June 1995
5 25 June to 7 July 1995
6 23 June to 2 July 1995
7 15 July to 4 August 1995
-240>
8 Ms Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka Indonesia To attend the first meeting of
Founder/Chairperson Gandhi the Board of Trustees at the
Peace Ashram, Denpasar, Sabarmati Ashram
Bali
9 Mr Stephen Murphy Australia To attend the first meeting of
Coordinator International the Board of Trustees at
Gandhian Movement Sabarmati Ashram
of Australia
10 54-Member Youth Cultural Japan Goodwill visit
delegation of the Soka
Gakkai International
11 Ms Indira Konelbaeva Kazakhstan Goodwill visit
(she bears the name
Indira in Honour of
Indian former PM)
12 Shri Vishwa Mehra UK To attend a workshop at the
Indian Conservator, London Asiatic Society, Calcutta
13 Mrs Maria Del Carman Cuba To meet her counterparts
Solana Valdes" Deputy
Director of the Cuban
Centre for the Studies
on Asia & Oceania
14 Mr Tony Wedgewood Benn UK To deliver the Krishna Menon
Member of Commons" London Memorial Lecture
15 Ms Grazina Miniotaite Russia To participate in the
Centre for Nonviolent International Seminar on
Action, Lithuania 'Gandhi: Future of Humanity'
on the occasion of 125th
Birth Anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi
8 14 to 28 July 1995
9 14 to 28 July 1995
10 2 to 12 August 1995
11 11 to 25 August 1995
12 29 March to 5 April 1995
13 3 to 6 July 1995
14 6 to 9 September 1995
15 23 to 25 September 1995
-241>
16 Professor Marietta, Russia To participate in the
Stepaniants, Director, International Seminar on
Centre Philosophies 'Gandhi : for Oriental Future
Studies, Institute of of Humanity' on the occasion
Philosophy, Russian of 125th Birth Anniversary of
Academy of Mahatma Gandhi
Sciences, Moscow
17 Dr Lilla Szabo Hungary To study painting and the
Art Historian document of Elizabeth Sass
Brunner
18 Mrs Dhairyabala Dhupelia South To participate in the
Grand Daughter of Africa concluding celebrations of
Mahatma Gandhi 125th Birth Anniversary of
Gandhiji
19 Mr Satish Dhupelia South -do-
Africa
20 9-Member delegation (The USA To discuss issues of bilateral
American Council of and global importance
Young Political Leaders"
America)
21 Mr Kamaluddin Nilu Bangladesh Research Study on "Probable
Associate Professor of Application of Western Drama
Dramatic Arts, University in Indian Traditional Theatre"
of Chittagong
22 Dr Chirsitina Nygren Sweden -do-
University of Stockholm,
Department of Theatre and
Film Arts
14
23 Professor Boris Jakharyin Russia To make his research study in
Head of Indian Philology Linguistics
Moscow State University
24 Mr Sayeed Ahmad, Bangladesh For conducting a study in
Theatre Critic and Art India on contemporary rural
Connoisseur & folk theatre
16 23 to 25 September 1995
17 1 September to 30 November 1995
18 28 September to 11 November 1995
19 28 September to 11 November 1995
20 15 to 21 September 1995
21 1 October to 31 December 1995
22 1 October to 31 December 1995
23 12 October to 12 December 1995
24 16 October 1995 to 16 January 1996
-242>
25 Dr Phan Lac Tuyen, Vietnam Goodwill visit
Vice-Dean of the To meet counterparts
Department of Ethnology,
Institute of Social
Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City
26 Ms Lynn Maree, Dance South To meet her counterparts
Director" Playhouse Africa
Company
27 4-Member Delegation Bhutan To meet their counterparts
led by Deputy Minister
Dasho Khandu Wangchuk
28 Mr and Mrs Seyfi Tashan Turkey To meet eminent personalities
Head of the Turkey's
Foreign Policy Institute
29 Mr Moonelall Ramphul Mauritius To meet Indian members of
President" Mauritius Association and to visit the
India Friendship Society Institute for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped,
Delhi.
25 18 October to 7 November 1995
26 18 to 21 October 1995
27 23 to 26 October 1995
28 13 to 25 December 1995
29 30 October to 13 November 1995
-243>
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|
1995
APPENDIX-XXIX Visiting Professors - Chairs of Indian Studies Abroad (ICCR Visiting Professors - Chairs of Indian Studies Abroad (ICCR).
|
Under various schemes, the ICCR sends abroad Visiting Professions for teaching
Indology, Indian Language and allied subjects. During the period under report the following academics were in position abroad:
1 Dr Devendra Shukla Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the University of Sofia, Bulgaria.
2 Dr Jai Singh Yadav Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Java" Indonesia.
3 Dr Abdul Bismillah Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the University of Warsaw, Poland.
4 Dr Triloki Nath Singh Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the, Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo, Suriname.
5 Dr N Jayaram Visiting Professor of Social & Cultural Anthropology at the University of West Indies, St Augustine Campus" Trinidad and Tobago.
6 Dr V R Jagannathan Visiting Professor of Hindi at the University of West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
7 Dr (Mrs) Kamlesh Singh Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi Language and Literature at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.
8 Dr 0 P Singhal Visiting Professor of Hindi Language and Literature at the Beijing University, China.
9 Dr (Mrs) Usha Satyavrat Shastri Visiting Associate Professor of Sanskrit at the Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
10 Dr Ramesh Chand Sharma Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the Hankuk University of Foreign Language, Seoul" Republic of Korea.
-244>
11 Dr (Mrs) Anita Ganguly Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the Helsinki University, Finland.
12 Dr (Mrs) Noorjahan Begum Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the Ankara University, Turkey.
13 Dr (Mrs) Geeta Sharma Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Moscow, Russia.
14 Dr Syed Asghar Wajahat Visiting Associate Professor of Hindi at the Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary.
15 Dr S K Lal Visiting Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Sorbone Nouvelle, Paris-III, France.
16 Dr Rewati Raman Pandey Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Mahatama Gandhi Institute, Port Louis, Mauritius.
17 Dr K Nachimuthu Visiting Professor of Tamil at University of Warsaw, Poland.
-245>
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1995
APPENDIX-XXX Presentation of Books and Art Objects/Musical Instruments (ICCR
Presentation of Books and Art Objects/Musical Instruments (ICCR) (April to De
cember 1995).
|
Presentation of Books
1 United Arab Coffee Table Books for Cultural 35 books
Emirates Foundation
2 Madagascar To the Mission Library 147 French &
Gujarati books
3 Ghana History and Culture books for 20 books
presentation to various schools
4 Belgium To Buddhist institutions 18 books
To University of Ghent 26 books
To Schools of Music 12 books
5 Brazil Presentation purposes 10 books
6 Kyrghyzstan Presentation purposes 13 books
To Kyrghyzstan-India Friendship 20 books
Society
7 Germany To Tagore Institute 29 books
To University of Gottingen 20 books
8 Romania To Sanskrit Scholars 6 books
9 Germany To Martin Luther University Collected works
of Gandhi
10 Thailand To Thailand Festival 25 books
11 Iraq To University of Baghdad 20 books
12 Venezuela Various academic institutions Books 16 books
on Gandhi to various institutions
13 Australia A Guru Granth Sahib to a 2 sets
Gurudwara in Sydney
14 Canada Writings and Speeches of
Dr B R Ambedkar to the G R D
Youth Association
15 Ireland For presentation purposes 18 books
To John Scott School 68 books
16 Syria To Assad Library 30 books
-246>
17 Bangladesh For presentation purposes 30 books
18 Botswana For presentation purposes 10 books
19 Switzerland For presentation purposes 26 books
20 Vietnam For presentation purposes 15 books
21 Netherlands To Organisatie Voor Hindu Media 23 books
(OHM) (Media)
22 Pakistan For presentation purposes 20 books
23 Indonesia For presentation purposes 16 books
5 video
cassettes
15 audio
cassettes
24 Uganda For presentation purposes 17 books
25 Ukraine To local cultural clubs 6 books
26 Sudan For presentation purposes 17 books
27 Nepal Books on Gandhi to various 27 books
academic institutions
28 Angola For a childrens book exhibition 58 books
29 UK The Supreme Court Report to the
House of Lords
30 Belarus For presentation purposes 8 books
31 Philippines Lalit Kala folders for 10 folders
presentation purposes
32 Russia For University of Moscow, Centre 31 books
of Comparative Studies
33 Oman For presentation purposes 8 books
5 folders
34 France For presentation purposes 27 books
35 Poland For presentation purposes 23 books
20 folders
36 Panama To provincial library 12 books
For presentation purposes 10 books
37 Sweden To National Library 23 books
29 compact discs
5 video
cassettes
-247>
For presentation purposes 10 books
For presentation purposes 22 books
38 South Africa For presentation purposes 8 books
39 South Korea For presentation purposes 29 books
40 Seychelles For presentation purposes 17 books
10 folders
41 Israel For presentation purposes 31 books
15 audio
cassettes
42 Iran For presentation purposes on 4 books
Contemporary poetry
43 Trinidad University of West Indies 24 books
& Tobago Charkha & books on Gandhiji for 50 books
the Mission
44 Libya For presentation purposes 10 ICCR
Publications
45 Taiwan For presentation purposes 10 books
46 Iran For the celebration of 125th 20 books on
Gandhiji
Birth Anniversary of Gandhiji 5 Indian
Horizons
1 Album on
Gandhiji
47 Iran For academic institutions 16 books
48 United States For presentation by Mission 20 books
of America 40 folders
10 copies of
Best of
Laxman (Volume
1-4)
49 Myanmar For the Embassy's School NCERT & CBT
Books
85 copies of
Bhagvad
Gita
50 Greece For presentation purposes 32 books
10 Lalit Kala
folders
5 Scarves
51 China For presentation purposes 13 audio
cassettes
52 Thailand For Indian Music Centre 19 audio
cassettes
10 compact
discs
53 Canada 'The Metro International Caravan', Statue of
Festival of Toronto Nataraja
-248>
Presentation of Art Objects/Musical Instruments
1 Thailand To a Music Centre 9 Musical Instruments
To Indian Women's Club 5 Musical Instruments
2 Canada To Peel Arya Samaj 4 Musical Instruments
3 Myanmar To the All Myanmar Hindu 6 Musical Instruments
Central Board
4 Guyana To a Hindu temple 3 Musical Instruments
5 Germany To the Tagore Institute at 5 Musical Instruments
Bonn
6 Libya To the Indian Community 8 Musical Instruments
School
7 Belgium To the Sangeet School of 5 Musical Instruments
Music
8 Ireland To the University of 12 Musical Instruments
Limmerick
9 United Arab To a local association 3 Musical Instruments
Emirates
10 Sri Lanka To Colombo Broadcasting 24 Musical Instruments
Corporation
11 Belgium To Centre De la Marionette 6 puppets
Tourmai
12 Ghana For a painting competition 9 trophies
conducted by the Indian
Embassy
13 South Korea For a National Costume 4 sets of national
Exhibition costumes
14 Colombia For decoration of the 5 folders
Mission's premises 5 paintings
3 Tanjavore Plates
-249>
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