Madagascar
Madagascar is the largest and most populous island in the Indian Ocean. It is located in the South Western Indian Ocean. India’s maritime links with Madagascar date back to 18th century. India and Madagascar enjoy cordial bilateral relations. Madagascar generally supports India’s candidature in the multinational fora. On contentious issues, such as UNSC reforms, it has been following the African Union line. India opened a Consulate General in Antananarivo in 1954. Upon Madagascar gaining independence in 1960, the Consulate General was upgraded to an Embassy.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- As part of South-South Cooperation, India's focus has been on capacity building, including training in highly skilled/technical fields which has been widely appreciated by the local population. 10 diplomats from Madagascar participated in the 1st Special Course for diplomats of the Indian Ocean Region at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service from 20 September - 1 October 2021.
- Under ITEC programme, 107 slots were allocated out of which 60 were utilized in 2019-20, 3 in 2020-21 and 4 in 2021-22 utilized in e-ITEC.
- Under ICCR, 12 slots were allocated and 7 utilized in 2019-20, 17 utilized out of 23 in 2020-21 and 18 utilized out of 2021-22.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- Government of India had extended a concessional Line of Credit of US$ 25 million to Madagascar for raising productivity of rice and setting up of fertilizer plants and the agreement was signed in 2008 with Exim Bank of India. As per the agreement, 425 tractors and equipment & machinery for setting up bio seeds processing and fertilizer plants were supplied.
- A LoC of $ 80.72 million was approved by the Government of India in June 2019 for the development of agriculture.
- Cash assistance of US$100,000/- as disaster relief during tropical cyclone ‘Haruna’.
- Cash relief assistance of US$200,000/- for the victims of cyclone Chedza.
- A cash grant of US$ 2 million was handed over to the BNGRC (Natural Disaster Management Agency of Madagascar) on 14 March 2018.
- A donation of 1000 Metric Tonnes of Rice and consignment of approximately 100 tonnes of medicines for the drought victims of Southern Madagascar, ENAWO cyclone and Plague epidemic were given by GOI.
- During ‘Operation Vanilla’ relief material was donated for the flood-affected regions of the northern region of Madagascar. Donation of 600 tonnes of rice in March, 2020 as human disaster and relief assistance (HADR) to Madagascar for help in dealing with the situation arisen due to the heavy floods in the Northern region of Madagascar.
- Donation of a consignment of medicines in May 2020 meant for treatment ofCovid-19.
- Donation of 1000 MT of rice and 100,000 tablets of Hydroxychloroquine to Madagascar in March 2021 due to severe drought and famine situation in South Madagascar.
- Madagascar has signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement in Marrakech, Morocco in November 2016 and has ratified the instrument on 12 February 2018.
- Madagascar became the 30th country to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) on 4 April 2022. As of April 2022, 30 members, consisting of 23 national governments and 7 organizations have joined CDRI. By becoming the member of CDRI, Madagascar will be able to work together with other member countries to promote resilient infrastructure and help in creating a safe, resilient and sustainable future globally.
