India 2018

India and the World 323
Park in Ramallah was also laid, aimed at connecting Palestine youth with India
and IT sector.
Israel: Indian Prime Minister undertook a historic first ever visit by an Indian
PM to Israel in July 2017, during which the relationship was upgraded to a
strategic level, with focused cooperation in agriculture and water. Seven
agreements/MoUs were signed in the fields of R&D innovation, water,
agriculture and space and a joint statement was also issued. President paid a
state visit to Israel in October, 2015, while the Israeli President visited India in
November 2016. Increased high-level exchanges and ministerial visits on both
sides have expanded cooperation in different functional areas such as trade,
agriculture, S&T, culture and security.
Following the visit of Vice President of India in October 2016, Algeria
emerged as an important partner for our food security along with Jordan, Tunisia
and Morocco through cooperation for setting up Joint Ventures in fertilizer sector.
India continued to reaffirm the consistent position on Syria for UN-backed,
Syrian-led inclusive political settlement. India dispatched food and medicines
to Syria and also contributed US$ 2 million as humanitarian assistance towards
rehabilitation of refugees in Jordan. The strong relationship with Djibouti is
well reflected in the successful evacuation of Indian and foreign nationals from
Juba (Operation Sankat Mochan). Djibouti continues to be a pivot in India's
anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. India has been actively participating
in the capacity building initiatives of Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea
and Somalia in several fields.
East and South Africa
The period marked a very special and a historic year in India- Africa partnership
that saw unprecedented interaction at the leadership level. The India Africa
political engagement intensified the focus on the strengthening of the business
linkages of trade and investment. The partnerships also focused on emerging
issues of cooperation in the areas of blue economy, counter-terrorism and
maritime security. Long standing Diaspora linkages form an important aspect
of India Africa ties. Progress was made in commitments made under the India
Africa Forum Summit process, of which 3 summits have been held.
To underline the role as a leading power in times of disaster, in 2016,
grant of US$ 10million was given as drought relief to Mozambique, $1million
to Zimbabwe, US$ 1million to Malawi and US$ 250,000 was given to Tanzania
for Kagera earthquake relief. Additional grants given:- US$ 1million to
University of Nairobi, US$ 20000 in health sector for Namibia and US$37530
for equipment to Senate of Madagascar. LOCs to Zimbabwe of US$ 87.00 million
for renovation/ up-gradation of Bulawayo Thermal Power Plant came into effect
in August 2016. Various training programmes under IAFS initiative were
approved including first public-private short-term medical training programme
by Apollo Hospital.