India 2018

324 India 2018
West
est Africa
India's friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation with the countries in
West Africa region continued to grow and diversify during the year. President's
visits to Ghana and Ivory Coast in June 2016 highlighted the significance India
attaches to her ties with the region. Vice President's visits to Nigeria and Mali
in September 2016 helped sharpen India's focus on the region. India hosted,
inter alia, the Foreign Ministers of Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo
and the Petroleum Minister of Nigeria (twice) during the year. The first ever
inter governmental Joint Commission meeting with Ivory Coast was held in
New Delhi in October 2016.
Several important agreements, including, visa exemption for diplomatic
and official passport holders were signed with Ghana and Ivory Coast. The
new Indian Chancery complex in Abuja was inaugurated in September by the
Vice President of India. An important international conference, "India - West
Africa Partnership for enhancing security, development and growth" was
organised in Accra in January. Its sequel was held as planned in New Delhi in
February 2017. India's partnership in the socio-economic development of West
Africa intensified, manifested by, inter alia, successful completion of such
significant projects with India's assistance as the construction of the National
Assembly complex in Gambia; multi-million dollar sugar factory in Komenda
in Ghana; a 9.3 MW hydel power project in Democratic Republic of Congo and
a Vocational Training Centre in Burkina Faso etc. India continued to significantly
contribute to capacity building especially in human resource development
through its ITEC and scholarships programmes, which are greatly appreciated.
Europe
Central Europe: India continued to share close and cordial relations with the
countries in Central Europe. The bilateral relations continued to strengthen
during the year through a constant exchange of visits, business interactions
and cultural exchanges. A special focus during the year was on holding seminars
and other such fora to disseminate information about government of India's
policies and flagship projects particularly Make in India, Digital India, renewable
energy, Skill India, mining technology etc. India and countries in Central Europe
continued to extend support to each other in various international fora including
for the candidates of the two countries for offices in international organizations.
3rd India-Europe Business Forum was organized in New Delhi in December,
2016 jointly by Ministry of External Affairs and Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
West Europe: Consolidation of bilateral relations with countries in Western
Europe continued during the period. Prime Minister visited Brussels for the
13th India-EU summit and bilateral visit to Belgium in 2016. The 14th India-EU
Summit was held in Delhi in October 2017. UK Prime Minister visited India in
November 2016. Regular high level visits and diversification of bilateral agenda
in keeping with India's national priorities remained central to our engagement