Yemen
India had actively supported Yemen’s independence from the British and was one of the first countries to recognize Yemen Arab Republic (YAR) in 1962 and People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) in 1967. In 1990, YAR and PDRY merged to become Republic of Yemen.
Yemen and its people are favorably disposed to India and have supported it in international fora. Upon invitation, India joined the “Friends of Yemen Group” in April 2012 in order to assist the country in the transition phase.
India’s championship of independence and recognition of Yemen Arab Republic and People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen laid the foundation for a relationship in the post-colonial era that began to deepen during the 1980s. Yemen is a member of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), among others. Yemen has been steadfast in its support for permanent membership for India in an expanded UN.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- As a long-standing friend of Yemen, India has always prioritized the humanitarian needs of Yemen and has extended humanitarian assistance to Yemen through the supply of medicines and food commodities in the past.
- As part of India’s Vaccine Maitri Initiative, 360,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses via COVAX facility were supplied to Yemen in March 2021.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- India offers scholarships under various schemes under the aegis of ICCR for pursuing graduate, post graduate and doctoral programmes. Under ITEC programme, India provides civilian trainings to Yemen for capacity buildings.
- Ministry of External Affairs, GoI had sanctioned 108 slots for 2013-2014 against 110 slots requested. In 2013-2014, 103 ITEC slots were utilized by Yemeni nationals; five applicants could not travel due to personal and family reasons.
- For 2014-2015, Ministry has sanctioned 80 slots for Yemen. In addition, ICCR had allotted 52 slots for the Yemeni students for the year 2014-2015 and 50 candidates have utilized the scholarship scheme.
- ICCR scholarships were extended for the year 2015-16; Out of 58 slots allotted to this Mission, 43 slots were utilized despite difficult ongoing security situation in Yemen, and Mission’s relocation to Djibouti with reduced staff in April 2015.
- In 2021-22, 58 Yemeni students received ICCR scholarship to study in India.
- ICCR offered 35 slots under Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme & 23 scholarship slots under Dr. S Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme from 2022-23 onwards.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- India exported more than 250,000 tons of wheat to Yemen, since April 2022, to mitigate the adverse impact of supply changes in the global commodity markets on Yemen.
