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Annual Reports Prior to 1999

Annual Report 1995-96

CONTENTS
S.No.  CHAPTERS PAGE No.
1. India's Neighbours 1
2.South-East Asia and the Pacific 17
3. East Asia 28
4. Central Asia 33
5. The Gulf, West Asia & North Africa 37
6. Africa (South of the Sahara) 51
7. Europe
 Eastern Europe 59
 Western Europe 70
8.The Americas/North America 77
 Central and South America and the Caribbean 82
9. United Nations and International Organisations 88
  Political Issues 90
 Disarmament and International Security 93
 Economic, Social and Humanitarian Issues 97
 Human Rights 101
  Administrative and Budgetary Issues 103
  Elections and Appointments 104
  International Law: Developments and Activities 106
  Non-Aligned Movement 110
 Foreign Economic Relations 112
10.Commonwealth 114
11. Trade and Investment 125
  Back-up support to Missions and Posts 126
  External Economic Publicity 127
  Important Trade and Investment Promotion Events 128
12.Policy Planning & Research 130
13. External Publicity 134
14.Protocol 140
15. Passport and Consular Services and Indians Overseas 142
16.Administration and Organisation 145
17.Foreign Service Institute 149
18.Implementation of Official Language Policy andPropagation of Hindi Abroad 152
19.Cultural Relations 154
 APPENDICES 165-249

Introduction





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.
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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.
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(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.
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(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
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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
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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;
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(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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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-
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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-
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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-
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Europe

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1995
Eastern Europe
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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-
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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).
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.

(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.

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
Top
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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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  
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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
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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
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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
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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 Botswana18 Ghana33Sao 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

1Canada 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-Herzegovina13 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
1 Bhutan 2 Nepal
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
1Algeria 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> 


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> 

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> 


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>

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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