india-ghana in focus 2015

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Disclaimer: 'India-Ghana in Focus' is a special publication. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the High Commission of India, Accra, Ghana, or the Government of India. The magazine has no

commercial value and is not for sale. It is for private circulation only.

Published by Krest Publications

We acknowledge the kind support received from High Commission of IndiaNo. 9 Ridge Road, Roman Ridge, PO Box CT-5708, Cantonments, Accra (Ghana)

Tel: +233-307020903 / 307020904 • Fax: +233-302772176 • Email: [email protected] • http://www.indiahc-ghana.com

Krest Publications: B-7/17/1, Ground Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029, India Tel.: 91-11-4653 9323 • Fax : 91-11-4610 5603 • Email: [email protected]

Editor: Harun Riaz • Project Co-ordinator: R.K. Verma • Marketing Manager: Ajit Thakur • Layout: Hari Sharma • Printing: Rave India

editor's Desk ........................................................................................................................................................5

High Commissioner's Message ............................................................................................................................6

Republic Day 2015 at High Commission of India ..................................................................................................7

Ghana Vice President Invites Indian Investment in Infrastructure and Manufacturing ...........................................8

Key Highlights of Indian Commerce Minister's Bilateral engagements on sidelines of Partnership summit 2015 .................................................................................... 10

India’s Africa Policy: Continuity, Change and Challenges ................................................................................... 12

FICCI's study of Ghanaian economy .................................................................................................................. 16

India-Burkina Faso Relations .............................................................................................................................20

India-sierra Leone Bilateral Relations .................................................................................................................22

India-togo Bilateral Relations ............................................................................................................................. 24

supporting Agricultural Growth in Africa with Case IH’s Red Power ...................................................................26

Renewable energy Programmes Gets A new Impetus; Focus on Development of energy Infrastructure .............28

security Challenges in Africa: India’s Foreign Policy Response ..........................................................................34

‘India-Africa Cooperation: Role of Regional economic Communities’ .................................................................38

Recognition of India's World Heritage: Inscription of Indian sites on the World Heritage List .............................40

India-Africa Relations .........................................................................................................................................44

High Commission's news ..................................................................................................................................46

5 IndIa-Ghana in Focus2015

India strengthening ties with Ghana

Harun RiazEditor

Ghana’s relation with India date back to the early fifties when Ghana’s first President, the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah struck a strong bond of friendship with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Diplomatic relations were soon established after

Ghana’s independence in 1957.

And both countries have never looked back in the past 58 years. Testimony to the close and old relationship is sprawling High Commission of Ghana in Chankyapuri, the diplomatic enclave here in New Delhi. Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt are the only other four African countries having chancery buildings in the posh locality of Lutyens Delhi, with Zambia having just the official residence.

Bilateral trade has surpassed the one billion dollar figure. "This is the first time when trade between the two countries has crossed the $1 billion mark," India's High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. K. Jeeva Sagar had informed the media in Ghana.

According to High Commissioner Mr. Sagar about $800 million have been invested by Indian companies in a variety of sectors in Ghana while "hundreds of Ghanaian students and officials are receiving training in India every year".

"These statistics are just a part of the larger story of friendship and affection between our two countries which are much more profound," he added.

Ghana's main exports to India are gold, cocoa and timber products whilst India's major exports to Ghana include pharmaceuticals, telecommunication, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, plastics, steel and cement.

Meanwhile, India and Ghana have revived plans for setting up a joint venture for a urea plant in the West African nation as it has abundant gas which is used as feed stock for manufacturing of the soil nutrient.

Commenting on the development, Fertilizer Minister, Ananth Kumar told Press Trust of India that, “Ghana has discovered new sources of gas so it approached us for setting up a joint venture (JV) urea plant and we are also looking forward to set up projects in the countries with abundant gas. We are exploring the option of setting up a joint venture similar the OMIFFCO with Oman.”

For the second time, India and Ghana are exploring to setting up urea plant to increase cost effective urea production. Further, the Indian government has nominated Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) to participate in the project.

Editor's Desk

6IndIa-Ghana in Focus2015

High Commissioner’s Message

H.E. Mr. K. Jeeva SagarHigh Commissioner

I am happy that M/s Krest Publications, New Delhi, is bringing out a special issue title "India-Ghana in Focus 2015".

The Magazine focuses on bilateral relations between India and Ghana, which, I am delighted to note, have been strengthening every passing year. The bedrock of India-Ghana partnership is the tremendous goodwill between the two peoples arising from historical reasons and shared vision of their founding leaders. With annual bilateral trade at over US $ 1 billion, and constant rise in Indian investments that have crossed US $1 billion, the future of India-Ghana relations is destined to reach greater heights and achieve new milestones.

This publication, I am confident, will provide new insights into the evolving and expanding India-Ghana relations and their ever-deepening friendship.

My Best Wishes to M/s Krest Publications for their thoughtful initiative.

K. Jeeva Sagar

new Milestones in India-Ghana ties


Panorama

Republic Day 2015 at High Commission of India

the High Commission of India in Accra (Ghana) celebrated the 66th Republic Day function and held a flag hoisting ceremony.

Guests were addressed by the High Commissioner of India to Ghana, Mr. K. Jeeva sagar


Bilateral Ties

Th e V i c e P r e s i d e n t o f Ghana , H .E . Mr . Kwesi Amissah-Arthur

invited Indian companies to invest in the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors of Ghana. The Vice President was speaking at a meeting organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry in New Delhi.

According to the Vice President, alhough Ghana is a small country with population of only 26 million people it is surrounded by 15 countries accounting for 1/3rd of Africa’s population. He was of the

view that Indian companies could use Ghana as a base to access these markets.

The Vice President stated that for last 8 years, economic growth in Ghana is in the range of 7% and per capita GDP has reached US $ 1000, which is considerably high in the African context.

He felt that Ghana can grow even faster with the better utilization of its petroleum resources. The country is planning to supply cheap energy to agriculture, generated from petroleum gas.

This, he felt, would have a positive impact on the GDP. He stated that the country now wants to diversify its economy from mere producer of primary goods to manufacturer of value added products.

The Vice President observed that Ghana is currently dependent on the export of primary commodities, which is vulnerable to price fluctuations in the international markets. The country needs foreign direct investment in value added production and it is here that he felt that Indian industry could play a major role.

Ghana Vice President Invites Indian Investment in Infrastructure and

Manufacturing

The Vice President of Ghana, Mr. Kwesi Amissah calling on the Vice President, Mr. Mohd. Hamid Ansari, in New Delhi on November 05, 2014


Bilateral Ties

Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Hon’ble Minister of State in charge of Public-Private Partnership ment ioned that India and Ghana traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly ties going back many years. He felt that relationship could be leveraged

to be built to accommodate the growing population and India could assist Ghana in this connection. He felt that India could also invest in basic infrastructure such as railways, airways and ports etc. through the public-private partnership route.

Mr. Samuel Pantin Yalley, High Commissioner of Ghana to India assured Indian industry that his country would take initiatives to strengthen the bi lateral relationship with India.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, Deputy Chairman – CII Western Region & Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Brothers Limited highlighted the importance of the India-Ghana bilateral economic relationship and stated that Indian industry looks forward is seeking to strengthening this bilateral relationship.

Source: Confederation of Indian Industry

Vice President of Ghana, Mr. Kwesi Amissah Arthur being decorated with sash on his arrival in India

towards the development of Ghana’s infrastructure sector. He invited Indian companies to take advantage of the of US $ 1.5 billion worth opportunity that this sector presents in Ghana. He also pointed out that approximately one million of new houses had

H.E. Mr. Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana addressing the audience in an interactive session organized in CII, New Delhi on 4 November 2014. (L-R): H.E. Mr. Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Mr. Samuel Panyin Yalley, High Commissioner of Ghana to India; Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Hon’ble Minister of State in charge of

Public-Private Partnership, Ghana; Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, Deputy Chairman – CII Western Region & Chairman and Managing Director, Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL) and Mr. E.B. Rajesh, Regional Director - Africa, Gulf & Middle East (International Department), CII


Bilateral Ties

On the margins of the Partnership Summit held in Jaipur, Rajasthan

during 15-17 January 2015, the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman met a number of her counterparts from the participating countries as well representatives of international organizations.

In a meeting with H.E. Y.B. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, the Ministers exchanged views on the Regional Comprehens ive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, Malaysia’s increasing investment in India and the India-Malaysia Comprehens ive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Mrs. Sitharaman also met H.E. Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the Minister for Trade & Industry of Ghana. They discussed bilateral trade relations and expressed

hope that this would continue to grow. Mrs. Sitharaman expressed satisfaction at the recent successful visit to India by the Vice President of Ghana in November 2014 for attending the CII World Economic Forum Summit. She noted the need to have the next round of the Joint Commission which will provide the necessary platform to take stock of economic and commercial ties. They also spoke of the next India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS). The Indian Minister also referred to training programmes offered by India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. Dr. Garbrah extended an invitation to Mrs. Sitharaman to visit Ghana.

The Indian Minister met H.E. Mr. Tofail Ahmed, Minister of Commerce, Bangladesh. They had a frank and friendly discussion on several issues including bilateral trade, the renewal of the Trade Agreement between the two

countries and opening of Border Haats, transit arrangements, India’s Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme for LDCs and trade infrastructure. Mrs. Sitharaman also had a meeting with Ms. Gao Yan, Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Commerce of China. Mrs. Sitharaman spoke of the important role of the two countries in many international forums such as the WTO and BRICS. While expressing satisfaction at the remarkable expansion of bilateral trade between the two countries, which stood at USD 65.90 bn in 2013-14, the Minister expressed concern at the growing trade deficit which was USD 36bn in the same period. The Minister said that India has global competitive advantage in niche engineering products, pharmaceuticals, cotton textiles, home furnishings etc. However these products have a limited presence in the Chinese market due to various issues related to tariff barriers, regulatory and other complexities which impede India’s exports. India also has concerns regarding market access for agricultural and pharmaceutical products. Also, Indian entities face several regulatory hurdles and other complex domestic certification requirements to bid for government tenders and government sponsored IT projects.

Mrs. Sitharaman drew attention to the many opportunities for Chinese investment in India.

The Chinese Vice-Minister referred to the numerous interactions that had taken place in 2014

Key Highlights of Indian Commerce Minister's Bilateral engagements on

sidelines of Partnership summit 2015

Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman meeting with Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the

Minister for Trade & Industry of Ghana


Bilateral Ties

between the two countries, including the visit of the Chinese President to India, which had taken relations to a new stage. She expressed satisfaction at the in-depth discussion on India-China commercial relations at the 10th JEG meeting at the Ministerial level which took place in September 2014. The Vice-Minister acknowledged the trade imbalance and said that the Chinese government was keen on promoting imports into the country.

Mrs. Sitharaman met H.E. Mr. Andrew Robb AO, MP, Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment. They had a productive discussion on taking the India-Australia CECA negotiations forward in a creative and constructive manner. On the issue of market access for Australian goods, both agricultural and industrial, Minister Robb said that they were looking at the premium end of the Indian market and would not be competing with domestic production, given the size of the Indian market, and the high costs of production coupled with far lower levels of production in Australia.

The Indian side said that there is considerable potential for Australia to scale up their investment in India very substantially, in areas including cold chain, bio-tech projects, marine sector, engineering and manufacturing sectors apart from mining and energy related projects.

Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman also met the Director General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and representatives of OECD, the Confederation of British Industry and the UK India Business Council. The Minister had a frank discussion with the DG, WTO, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo. The Minister appreciated the openness and flexibility shown by the DG in their earlier interactions. Observing that she was aiming to

set the contours of the discussion in the months ahead, rather than the agenda, the Minister said that India strongly subscribed to the multilateral trading system and the WTO. The Minister emphasised that that there should be no differentiation made amongst developing countries as regards commitments to be undertaken or in the matter of special and differential treatment for developing countries. The Minister also said that the Doha mandate should not be re-opened; nor should there be any cherry picking of issues from the Doha Development Agenda or introduction of new issues that only served the commercial interests of a few developed countries. The Minister also said that a permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes was critical and should be addressed on priority.

Referring to the commitment by WTO members to finalise a Work Programme on the rest of the Doha Development Agenda by July 2015 and the upcoming Tenth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2015, Mr. Azevêdo said that pragmatism was needed in order to move forward and promised that he would do

everything he could to help the WTO members to decide on the way forward.

The representative from OECD expressed support to the Make in India initiative launched by the Government of India and offered the services of OECD at the Central and State level to promote this agenda.

The Minister held talks with UKIBC and CBI to lay the agenda for the next meeting of JETCO in London on 19-20 January 2015.

In discussions with the Director Generals of WIPO and UNIDO, the Minister stressed on the strengths of the Indian IPR regime and said that the draft of a new IP Policy had been circulated to stakeholders recently. The Indian judiciary is strong in protecting and upholding intellectual property rights. The Indian Government is keen to bring greater clarity and transparency to assure foreign participation under the Make in India initiative.

DG UNIDO Dr. Li Yong expressed keenness of UNIDO to design and implement the new Country Programme to support the Make in India initiative. He promised cutting edge technologies under the aegis of UNIDO, especially for the MSME sector.

Mr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ghana addressing at the Plenary Session “Growing Importance of Service Sector in Manufacturing Value Chains” of the Partnership Summit 2015 on 17 January, 2015 at Jaipur


India and African countries have nurtured mutuality o f w o r l d v i e w s a n d

interests through century-long engagements. The relationship, driven by new imperatives of globalisation, has witnessed steady expansion. It has, over the years, acquired momentum through a series of pol icy interventions such as ‘Focus Africa’ programme, ‘Team-9’ initiative and ‘India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)’ process. Initiated in the year 2008, the IAFS process, in particular, has been the most defining policy initiative that has ushered in a qualitative transformation of India’s relations with Africa. It has elevated the relationship to the summit level and has provided an institutional framework for cooperation at continental, regional and bilateral levels . As a consequence, political understanding, security cooperation, trade and investment collaboration, energy partnership, development partneship, and

diaspora linkages between both regions have been enhanced. While preparing for the IAFS-III in 2014, New Delhi must recognise issues and concerns that are likely to affect the sustainability of its relationship with Africa, necessitating a calibrated, coherent and holistic policy approach. Political Cooperation The political solidarity, based on the common colonial experience, provides an anchor for strong relations between India and Africa. Both sides recognize the importance of democratic governance, human rights, decentralization, institutions of parliamentary democracy, elections and justice system, as evident in their joint policy documents. The Africa-India Framework for Enhanced Cooperation declared under the IAFS-II in 2011 does articulate their commitment to partner on such political issues. The exchange of visits at the level of heads of state/government, ministers and officials has facilitated the

political relationship between the two sides, which has witnessed a steady growth. There is, however, need for more frequency in exchanges of political visits to further boost this relations.

While India is trying to move from a ‘structural’ to a ‘substantive’ democratic process, a majority of African countries are engaged in a strong quest for their democratic entitlements. In Africa, competitive claims over electoral mandates have, many a time, led to ethno-political violent contestations, in which the AU and other regional groupings have played their roles as effective moderators. A member of the African Union (AU) Partners Group, India should constantly articulate its constructive position on these political developments, giving a boost to ‘political globalization’ in Africa. Furthermore, there is scope for both India and Africa to carry forward such process, by adding impetus to their ongoing common

South-South Cooperation

By Dr. Nivedita Ray and Dr. Sandipani Dash*

India’s Africa Policy: Continuity, Change and Challenges


efforts towards reforms of the global security and governance institutions. Since these institutions have intense interface with the African states and societies, efforts should be made to ensure that India’s solidarity on political issues and developments catches African people’s imagination. Security Cooperation Sustainable development, peace and security are common goals for India and Africa. As the third largest contributor of personnel to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), India’s signif icant participation in the conflict-containment and recons t ruc t ion p rocess i s acknowledged in Africa. India and Africa, indeed, continue their close cooperation, including through regular consultations at the UN, at the AU and in New Delhi/national capitals. Both remain committed towards operationalisation of the African Standby Force through special training programmes. To further deepen this engagement, a holistic understanding of the current security situation in Africa, linked to competition between dominant global powers and new challengers over the continent’s economic space, is required. The rising significance of emerging powers in Africa has resulted in more securitization of commercial stakes by external powers. The Western actors, in particular, selectively use political dissent as strategic opportunities in the specific African countries. In some cases, this has resulted i n i r r e s p o n s i b l e m i l i t a r y interventions, creating scope for further security unrest in the continent. The complex security scenario has, indeed, provided space for radical mobilisation along extremist/religious fault lines. This is evident from the steady rise in terror attacks in Africa in the recent years, evoking an urge for the creation of an effective counter-terror response mechanism under the aegis of the

AU and other regional groupings. India’s security cooperation with Africa, therefore, needs a greater thrust. As a victim of terrorism, India could partner in the proposed multilateral and regional counter-terror initiatives in Africa. Moreover, India’s position in the case of politico-armed intra-state conflicts in Africa – i.e. protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the conflict afflicted country along with the sensitivity towards the legitimate aspirations of its people - needs to be articulated in a more proactive and pronounced fashion. Economic Cooperation

The century-long economic linkage between India and Africa has evolved from an ancient people-led mercantile exchange to the current private sector-led industrial trade and production partnership, with the facilitating political support. While there is a steady increase in the volume of trade and equity cooperation between two sides, the issues concerning equilibrium and content of trade remain major challenges in the recent years. Another pertinent concern of this partnership under the process of ‘economic globalization’ is to synergise the collective interests of the people of India and Africa on the one hand and the sectoral corporate interests on the other. The sustenance and consolidation of the rising India-Africa economic cooperation necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach. Emphasis should be on value addition and beneficiation in commodity trade, by supporting the expansion of manufacturing bases in Africa through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. More significantly, a cooperative mechanism needs to be evolved for social auditing of the commercial engagement between India and Africa.

To this effect, it is time for New Delhi to take initiative in framing policy guidelines for Indian

entrepreneurs venturing into Africa. Energy Cooperation

Energy partnership is a prime driver of India-Africa economic engagement, since energy security is the prerequisite of economic growth and stability. Africa is relatively a new energy space in the oil and gas map of the world. Indian economy is heavily dependent on the hydrocarbon energy import, with diversification of its overseas energy supply as a constant policy priority. In this context, energy/resource-rich Africa, therefore, assumes immense significance for India. Africa’s quest for favourable capital investment and intermediate, cost-effective technology for industrial expansion coincides with India’s requirement for hydrocarbon resources to sustain its rising economic growth. This creates a scope for trade and investment partnership in the energy sector, and further consolidation through a calibrated synchronization between hydrocarbon resource p r o d u c t i o n l i n k a g e a n d capacity building cooperation. Development Cooperation

Development cooperat ion, with special focus on capacity building, remains the cornerstone of India-Africa engagement under the framework of South-South cooperation. Since 1964, India has been pursuing various training and skill development schemes under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme (SCAAP). But India’s development cooperation with Africa has acqu i red g rea te r sa l i ence under the process of economic globalization, which has brought economic growth along with increased social disparity in both regions. In response to these new socio-economic imperatives, IAFS-I in 2008 marked a milestone in India’s development cooperation with



Africa. Under the IAFS process, a number of policy initiatives, ranging from capacity building measures, including training, skill development, scholarships and institution building, to line of credits (LOC) and grants, are announced to partner with Africa in its developmental endeavours.

As an alternative development partner, India’s capacity building initiatives have been appreciated by the African countries. The effectiveness of such measures is, however, questioned on the counts of procedural hindrances, implementation gap, time and cost overrun, visibility deficit, and most importantly, their relevance to developmental needs and priorities of the target people.

T o e n s u r e a n e f f e c t i v e management of these projects, constant monitoring and periodic evaluation is a timely requirement. Nevertheless, a more fundamental answer to this problem would be to address the structural deficiency of the IAFS process, which is premised on the Banjul formula, giving primacy to discretion and decision of the AU Commission, rather than considering the choice and judgement of the concerned country, where the development projects are being implemented.

Diaspora The century-long diaspora l inkages between India and Africa have regained significance under globalisation. Diaspora has, indeed, come to be recognised as a critical resource, both for the country of origin and their adopted homeland. Its crucial role in the exchange of capital, science and technology, knowledge innovation and human values is increasingly being realised, instead of the earlier perception as a parochial racist affiliation. In Africa, India’s policy on the issue of its diaspora has witnessed a perceptible shift, from an ‘active dissociation’ to a ‘proactive association’ over the decades.

India’s current engagement with its diaspora in Africa is, nonetheless, part of its larger global diaspora policy. New Delhi, however, needs to navigate its policy specifically towards its diaspora in Africa, keeping in view their increasing significance as well as their uniqueness underpinned by the heterogeneity, social positioning and complex identity. In the IAFS-I 2008 Declaration, it was emphatically mentioned that both sides would like to partner in harnessing diaspora resources for their mutual benefit, with the inspiration from Africa’s engagement in similar efforts. The subsequent policy pursuit of diaspora factor in India-Africa partnership, for building links and strengthening bilateral relations, has yet to receive the adequate focus and required momentum.

Recommendations

Political/Security Cooperation

a) The exchange of political visits requires greater thrust, with special focus on relatively smaller states.

b) Commitment to cooperate in the strengthening of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights deserves serious attention.

c) India’s position on political and security crisis situations needs to be articulated in a m o r e p r o a c t i v e a n d pronounced fashion.

d) There should be greater push for reforms of global institutions of security and governance by mobilising support of the African countries.

e) India could try and partner in the proposed multilateral and regional counter-terror initiatives in Africa.

Economic/Energy Cooperation

f) There should be greater push for reforms of global economic

institutions by mobilising suppor t o f the A f r i can countries.

g) T h e s u s t e n a n c e a n d consolidation of the rising I n d i a - A f r i c a e c o n o m i c cooperation necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach and social auditing.

h) The imbalance in the content of bilateral trade needs to be rectified.

i) Emphasis should be laid on va lue addi t ion and beneficiation in commodity trade.

j) There should be larger Indian investment in energy sector, with a focus on buy back option.

k) There is a need for calibrated synchronization between energy resource production linkage and capacity building cooperation.

Development Cooperation

l) For ensuring an effective i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f development projects, regular monitoring and timely review are required.

m) Relevance of Banjul formula adopted for organizing the IAFS process necessitates i n t r o s p e c t i o n a n d interrogation; but this has to be undertaken as an African initiative.

Diaspora

n) Specific policy needs to be designed for engaging diaspora in Africa, keeping in view their uniqueness, by the heterogeneity, social positioning and complex identity.

o) The policy announcement of partnership on harnessing diaspora for mutual benefits calls for priority attention.

*Dr. Nivedita Ray and Dr. Sandipani Dash are Research Fellows at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Sapru House, New Delhi.



Profile

Ghana was the fastest growing economy in Sub-Saharan Africa in

2011 with a growth rate of 13.6%.

• Ghana's economy has beenstrengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reduct ions in poverty levels.

• Ghanaisnotonlythesecondlargest producer of cocoa in the world, but also the third largest producer of timber and second largest exporter of wood and wood product in Africa.

• Ghanahasarelativelydiverseand rich natural resource base. Minerals--principally gold, diamonds, manganese ore, and bauxite--are produced and exported. According to industry experts, within 5 years, Ghana is likely to be the third-largest producer of oil in West Africa.

• According to AEO, in 2010Indian investments in Ghana included over 46 projects with an estimated total value of USD 277 million.

• Ghanaisafoundingmemberof the Economic Community o f West Af r ican States (ECOWAS). The country is also a member of the West African Monetary Institute and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Sources: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World fact Book, African Economic Outlook

Key facts and economic indicators

• Languages:English (official),Asante

• Population(2012est.):24.65million

• G o v e r n m e n t T y p e :Constitutional Democracy

• Currency: Ghanaian Cedi(GHC)

• GDP(PPP,2012est.):$83.18billion

• Inflation Rate (2012 est.):9.1%

• GDP(RealGrowthrate,2012est.):8.2%

• Investment(Grossfixed,2012est.):25.1%ofGDP

• TotalExports (2012est.) :$13.58 billion

• Total Imports (2012 est.): $17.52 billion

Political scenario

• President John DramaniMahama (since 24 July 2012) is currently the President of the Republic of Ghana. He assumed office after the former President Professor John Atta Mills passed away in July.

• The constitution adopted inApril 1992 is still in place.

• TheincumbentPresidentalsoemerged victorious after the presidential and legislative elections in December 2012.

Government type: Constitutional Democracy

• Provinces: 10 administrativeregions, subdivided in 138 districts

• Independence:March6,1957from England

• Legal system: mixed systemof English common law and customary law.

Business scenario

Ghana was one of the fastest growing economies in the entire world in 2011. Other than the oil sector, Ghanaian economy recorded impressive growth in construction services as large infrastructure projects are being carried out. Ghana is also among the list of countries which are identified by several fund managers as possible destinations for Africa-centric investment funds.

The inward FDI flows in Ghana from 2001-11 shows a steady upward trend making it the second most attractive investment destination in Western Africa after Nigeria. Total inward FDI flow in 2011 amounted to US$ 3.2 billion. According to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) stable, democratic political environment, l iberalization policies of the government, p r o g r e s s i v e i n s t i t u t i o n a l development of EPZs, financial institutions, etc. are among the reasons for the sustained high growth in the country.

G h a n a i a n e c o n o m y h a s consistently been dominated by agriculture which contributed 30% to the GDP and 50% to the workforce employment. Growth performance in 2010 was driven by the industrial sector with a 7% growth rate, achieved largely through the impressive growth performance of the mining and

FICCI's study of Ghanaian economy

Bilateral Ties


energy sub-sectors. Growth was also propelled by services especially telecommunications. As a middle income country infrastructure in Ghana is better than most other countries. Ghana is also one of the only 5 countries in Africa to attain the MDG target of clean water supply.

“Doing Business” in Ghana has become easier as the country’s overall Doing Business (2011) rank has improved to 63. Among the sub-Saharan countries, Ghana’s rank is 5th in “Ease of Doing Business”.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Act is the main law that governs investment in Ghana. Mining, oil and gas sectors are governed by a separate set of laws. Further, sector specific regulations exist for industries such as financial services, fishing and telecommunications.

Starting from least risky country to invest, Ghana stands 8th among the African economies as per the Euromoney risk rating. In terms of Economic Freedom, it ranks 11th.

According to African Economic Outlook, “India is one of the top five foreign direct investors in Ghana”. Investments are mostly concentrated in the agricultural

and manufacturing sectors of the economy. Within the health sector, Ghanaian pharmaceutical companies manufacture drugs in collaboration with Indian firms. In recent times, Ghana’s financial sector has also attracted Indian investment. Information and communications technology (ICT) sector in Ghana also has a noteworthy presence of Indian investors.

With a total of 388 registered projects, India ranks second amongst all foreign investors in terms of number of projects. A number of Indian companies are establishing their presence in Ghana, both from the public and private sector, including the Bank of Baroda, Tata, Bharti Airtel, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra, Escorts, Larson & Toubro, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co, NIIT, DSC Ltd., and several pharmaceutical companies.

Key industr ies: Oil & gas;Mining and mineral processing (gold, diamond, salt, etc.), Manufacturing; Tourism; Real Estate

Development; Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Pharmaceuticals and Health Services Delivery; Energy;

Exports:US$13.58billion(2012est.);Keyexportcommodities:oil& gas, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticulture products;Keyexportdestinations:France (19.1%), Netherlands (10.2%), US (8.6%), Italy (8.1%), UK (4.7%), India (4.2%)

Imports:US$17.52billion(2012est.); Key import commodities:capital equipment, iron &steel; electrical & electronic equipments; foodstuffs; Key import partners:China (20.4%), Nigeria (12.4%), US (7 .8%) , Ind ia (5 .6%) , Netherlands (5.1%), UK (4.2%)

Initiatives to foster investment & trade

• TheGovernmentofGhanahasproposed restricting the general 5 year tax exemption period only to real estate developers willing to collaborate with it to provide affordable housing.

• Asaneconomy,Ghanaisopento foreign equity ownership in the Sub Saharan Africa region, with all its major sectors fully open to foreign capital participation.

• Accesstocreditinthecountryhas been further enhanced by establishing a centralized collateral registry and by

Accra, capital of Ghana


granting an operating license to a private credit bureau that became operational in April 2010.

• The Ghana Inves tmentPromotion Act 1994 guarantees freedom to non- Ghanaians to establish and operate enterprises in potentially lucrative areas such as natural gas, hydropower projects, fruit and vegetable farming, information technology and food processing.

Source: The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre

Tax structure overview

• I n c ome d e r i v e d f r omnontraditional exports is taxed at a rate of 8%. For petroleum extracting companies, the tax rate is 50%. However, petroleum agreements signed with the government of Ghana provide for a 35% tax rate.

• Non-resident companies inGhana are subject to tax only on income accruing from or derived in Ghana, as against resident companies that also pay tax on their income brought into or received in Ghana.

• Manufacturing enterprisesin regional capitals and engaged in agro-processing and the production of cocoa by-products are entitled to a 25% income tax rebate. Those located outside regional capitals are entitled to a 50% income tax rebate.

Source: The 2012 worldwide corporate tax guide

Tax Rates (%) Corporate tax 25 Capital Gains tax 15 Withholding tax (Dividends)

8 Branch tax 25 Personal tax 0-25

Ghana-India: Partners in progress

Bilateral agreements and LoCs

Important bilateral treaties and agreements are:

• Centre of Excellence forTraining in Information Technology (2002)

• Bilateralinvestmentpromotionand Protection Agreement (2002)

• Cul tura l and Sc ien t i f i cExchange Programme (2002)

• India has been participatingin Ghana’s development by providing concessional credit for various development p ro j ec t s such as ru ra l electrification, agriculture, transport and communication, among others.

• Between April 2000 andO c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 , G h a n a channelled FDI worth US$ 3.08 million in India.

Source: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, GOI

Indian cos. doing business

• NIIT• HazelMercantile• ParamountIndustriesLimited• BankofBaroda• MahindraandMahindra• BhartiAirtel• AshokLeyland• Escorts• Larson&Toubro• ShapoorjiPallonji&Co• DSCLtd.

Bilateral trade (2011-12)

Totaltrade:US$1,204.02million

Exports:US$800.35million

Imports:US$403.67million

Exports from India to Ghana grew at a CAGR of 11.5% between 2006 and 2012, while imports grew at a CAGR of 31.4% during the same period.

Major exports to Ghana

• Pharmaceuticalproducts• Telecommunication• Agriculturalmachinery• Electricalequipment• Plastics

• Steel• Cement

Major imports from Ghana

• Gold• Cocoa• Ediblefruitsandnuts• Woodandarticlesofwood

Potential sectors for investments

Agriculture and allied activities

• Immense opportunities existin this sector. Opportunities exist in the production and processing of agricultural products such as cereals (maize, rice, millet) starchy crops (yam, cassava. Sweet potato, plantain), legumes (carrots, cabbage, garden eggs, tomato), fruits (pineapple, pawpaw, banana, mango), industrial crops (rubber, sugarcane, cotton, oil palm, coconut, cocoa, coffee), livestock (cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep) and fisheries (tuna, tilapia, catfish). Rearing of silk worm for the production of raw silk is another key area.

• There is a need for theprocessing of dairy products as well as the supply of machinery to establish hatcheries for day-old chicks.

• Gh a n a ’ s c l i m a t e a n dtopography make it suitable for the cultivation of a number of exotic flowers.

• Productionunderirrigationisa focus area. While Ghana has a potential irrigable area of 346,000 hectares, only 10,000 hectares have been developed.

• Provisionofagriculturalinputsand their production, leasing/supply of heavy machinery l i ke t rac to r s , p loughs , manufacturing of spare parts are also important avenues to explore.

Textiles and Garments

• The textiles and garments

Bilateral Ties


sector is predominantly cotton-based although the production of man-made fibers is also undertaken on a small scale. They include ready-made garments as well as custom made and traditional wear.

• Ghana has the advantagesof a relatively cheaper raw material base, expanding cotton production levels and is actively supporting the development of the sector, with facilities such as a Garments Village and training centres.

• Oppor tun i t i e s ex i s t i nproduction and supply of raw material and factory building technologies . S imi lar ly , opportunities exist in the marketing and distribution channels.

Precious metals

• Ghan a ’ s a n n u a l g o l dproduction is expected to exceed 80 tons in 2010 (up from 60 tons in 2004), with global gold prices projected to average US$ 1,200- 1,300 per ounce in 2010 (rising from US$ 400 per ounce in 2004).

• G h a n a a c c o u n t s f o rapproximately 55% of West Africa’s total gold reserves with current gold reserves approximating to 100 million ounces (2,835 metric tons).

• Apart from extraction, thereexist opportunities in fine and custom jewellery. Similarly, accessor ies and related services also provide potential opportunities.

Energy (including power)

• Powe r s e c to r p r e s en t sengineering, procurement and construction (EPC) players engaged in the construction of such plants with significant opportunities.

• Limitedsupplyofnaturalgashad led Ghana to explore alternative sources. This includes the construction of floating re- gasification

Bilateral Ties

plants using grounded LNG vessels and permanent LNG re- gasification plants, among other.

• The Government of Ghanais particularly keen to attract more interest on to its onshore acreage and is willing to offer more incentives to those willing to take additional risks.

• Ghana is courting foreigninvestors to build a new refinery, boost exploration efforts and help the country increase its gas utilization capacity.

• A range of upstream anddownstream investment oppor tun i t i e s ex i s t fo r companies operating in the oil and gas and auxiliary services sector.

ICT

• Ghana has been recognizedas an attractive destination for Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) and was ranked the No. 1 destination in Sub-Saharan Africa (ahead of Senegal and South Africa) and No. 25 globally out of 50 countries by the A.T. Kearney Global Services Location Index (GSLI), 2011. Opportunities exist in the following areas

- so f tware deve lopmen t , networking, VSAT,

- telecommunication and IT Engineering

- product ion of Bus iness Solut ion (so f tware and networking services)

- B u s i n e s s P r o c e s s i n g Outsourcing

- S u p p l y o f H i g h - T e c h T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Equipment

- Back Office Operations ( especially for the Financial Institutions)

- Internet Service Provision Service

- Provision of Broadband Facilities and Services

- Transaction Processing. - Manufacturing, assembling

and supply of computers and accessories.

- E-commerce and Lega l Database Services.

- Logistics Management Services and Medical Transcription Services.

Banking and financial services

• Opportunitiesexistforbankingand financial institutions to develop appropriate products to support the oil industry such as letters of credit, financing rigs and supply vessels.

• Moreover,alargepercentageof the unbanked population in Ghana presents untapped potential.


Political Relations:

Bilateral relations between India and Burkina Faso have been cordial. Bilateral activities began in March 1976 when an official delegation led by Burkina Faso’s Commerce & Industry Minister visited India and signed a Protocol on Economic and Technical Cooperation. Since then, there have been a number of High-Level visits from Burkina Faso to India including the visits of President of Burkina Faso, late Capt. Thomas Sankara, in 1983 to attend the NAM Summit and Minister of External Relations and Cooperation in 1989.

From India, Minister of State for External Affairs visited Burkina Faso in 1987. Bilateral relations got a boost in May-June 1993, when President Blaise Compaore visited India. During this visit, India and Burkina Faso decided to establish the Joint Commission to foster cooperation between the two countries. India offered to assist Burkina Faso in its economic development particularly in the areas of agriculture, handlooms, mining, irrigation, small scale industries etc.

During the two-day transit visit of President Comapaore to Delhi in July 1994, India extended Rs. 250 million aid to Burkina Faso in the agricultural field, comprising a package of agricultural aid under the Integrated Agricultural Project. Under the package, 200 tractors and several other accessories, including seeds, implements, water pumps etc., were given. The Joint Commission on economic, cultural, political and technical cooperation between the two countries was established after an agreement signed in October 1994. President Compaore visited India again in 1997.

Former Prime Minister Tertius Zongo visited India in April 2008 to attend the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi. He met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and discussed matters of mutual interest. His visit gave further impetus to bilateral ties between the two countries.

Mr. Lene Sebgo, Minister of Health, led the Burkinabe delegation to the 9th CII-EXIM

Bank Conclave held in Delhi in March, 2013. Mr. Yacouba Barry, Minister of Housing & Urbanization, Mr. Mahama Zoungrana, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Mr. Jean Koulidiati, Minister of Development of Digital Economy and Post were part of the delegation.

An official Burkinabe delegation comprising of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Minister of Mines and Energy and Director General in the Ministry of Mines and Energy amongst others, participated in the 10th EXIM Bank – CII Conclave held in New Delhi in March 2014.

From the Indian side, Prime Minister Shri Narasimha Rao paid a State Visit to Ouagadougou on 2-4 November 1995. This first ever Prime Ministerial visit to Burkina Faso was highly successful. The Prime Minister met the President of Burkina Faso and also addressed the Parliament. PM was awarded with the highest civil award of Burkina Faso. The visit paved the way for a more intensive interaction in several fields. The Prime Minister inaugurated the new Indian Embassy with a resident C’dA. The Indian Mission was closed in July 2002.

Recently, a 3-member Indian delegation led by Shri Arvind Kaushal, Additional Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education visited Burkina Faso in December 2013 in connection with the establishment of Water & Soil Tissue Test Laboratory in Burkina Faso under IAFS decisions.

The Embassy of Burkina Faso was opened in New Delhi in 1996 and elevated to the level of Ambassador in 2011.

Commercial Relations:

According to available statistics, total

India-Burkina Faso Relations

Bilateral Ties

Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso


bilateral trade between the two countries registered US$ 103.21 million in 2011-12 and US$ 100.76 million in 2012-13. In 2013-14, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$ 119.63 with export from India at US$ 103.08 million and import from Burkina Faso at US$ 16.55 million.

India’s major exports to Burkina Faso are pharmaceutical products, vehicles and parts thereof, iron and steel and articles thereof, machinery and mechanical appliances, rubber and articles thereof. Imports from Burkina Faso include cotton, iron & steel, wood and articles of wood, raw hides and skins, and leather.

An Indian Farmers Project, which was launched in Burkina Faso in 1999 for three years, was completed in 2002. Under the project, India had supplied expert farmers to demonstrate to Burkinabe farmers Indian practices of rice growing, including the use of ergonomically designed hand tools, tractors etc. and to train local farmers in this technology, related consumable inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. Farm machinery, equipments, vehicles and other necessary support were donated to Burkina Faso government after the completion of the project.

LoC:

Burkina Faso was included as one of the nine West African countries under the GOI’s TEAM-9 initiative and Pan African e-Network Project. GOI extended a Line of Credit (LOC) of US$ 30.97 million, under TEAM- 9, for Agricultural

Projects and for Construction/Equipping of National Post Office in Burkina Faso. Lines of Credit were also approved for rural electrification in 2008; for setting up a Tomato Processing Factory in 2010; for Public Housing Project; and supply of 135 buses for universities and other institutions of higher education, construction of two workshops, construction of covered parking lot, procurement of spare parts etc. in the first half of 2012.

IAFS:

India has also offered to set up two projects viz., Vocational Training Centre / Incubation Centre (VTC/IC), a Vocational Training Centre of Barefoot College and a Soil and Water Tissue Testing Laboratory in Burkina Faso under the decisions of IAFS (I & II). A two member delegation from National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) visited Ouagadougou in October 2013 for signing of agreement between Ministry of Youth, Vocational Training and Employment (MYVTE), Government of Burkina Faso and NSIC for setting up VTC/IC in Burkina Faso. A 3-member delegation led by Secretary, ICAR visited Burkina Faso in December 2013 for discussions and site inspection for establishment of the Soil and Water Tissue Testing Laboratory.

Three participants from Burkina Faso visited India for a 5-day Exposure Vis i t for Pol icy Makers, organized by IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative in December, 2012 under the Cotton-Technical Assistance

Programme (TAP) implemented under the IAFS-II. A second group of five persons visited India in January, 2013 for a training programme on Post Harvest Management and Crop Residue. A two-member IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Ltd., Noida, visited Burkina Faso in November 2013 for discussions with stakeholders in the cotton sector in Burkina Faso under the Cotton TAP for Africa.

ITEC:

India has rendered technical assistance to Burkina Faso in its human resource development through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Burkina Faso utilized 22 ITEC slots each during FY 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively. It has been allotted 30 ITEC slots for the FY 2014-15. Five Burkinabe scientists were awarded CV Raman Fellowships for carrying out research activities in India between June and December 2013.

Humanitarian Assistance:

To alleviate the suffering of the Burkinabe people due to severe floods in 2008, India had sent a consignment of medicines required by the affected people. The consignment of medicines was handed over by India’s Hon. Consul in Ougadougou to Secretary General of Ministry of Social Action and National Solidarity on 18 June 2008. Another donation of US$ 213,356 was made to Burkina Faso as India’s contribution towards flood relief assistance following the devastating floods in September 2009.

Indian Community:

The Indian community in Burkina Faso is around 200-300. Some of them are engaged in manufacturing and trading business and restaurants while the rest are their employees. Some are also doing business in cotton and gold.

Source: High Commission of India, Accra

Bilateral Ties

RECOMMENDED READING REFERENCES

1. Burkina Faso, 2nd (Bradt Travel Guide) by Katrina Manson and James Knight

2. Freedom in Fulani Social Life: An introspective Ethnography by Paul Riesman

3. Political Reform in Francophone Africa by John F. Clark; David E. Gardinier (Westview Press, 1997)


The traditionally cordial bilateral relations of India and Sierra Leone were re-

energized by the visit of the then Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, to Sierra Leone in January 2009, representing the first high-level visit from India after a gap of ten years. The new thrust in relations was facilitated by a steady ministerial-level interaction between the two countries and an upswing in economic and commercial partnership over the past 4-5 years.

Bilateral high-level visits and consultations include the visit of Indian Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, to Sierra Leone in July 2000; the visit of Sierra Leonean Minister of Industry and Transport, Mr. A.E. Bangura to New Delhi in November 1998; the visit of a two-member Parliamentary delegation, led by the Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, to New Delhi in January 2003, and the visit of the Foreign Minister Alhaji Momodu Koroma and Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Kadi Sesay to New Delhi in November 2005.

Other ministerial visits from Sierra Leone was of Mr. Momodu Koroma, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone in January 2007; Mr. Joseph S. Sesay, Minister of Health and Mr. Francis Abdul Rahman Sankoh, Director of Livestocks, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Forestry in December 2007; Minister of Trade, Mr. A.P. Koroma, in March, 2008; and Foreign Minister, Ms. Zainab

Bangura, in October 2008 and again in February, 2011.

Two MPs from Sierra Leone, Hon. Mr. Legacy Sankoh and Hon. Mr. Jacob I. Koroma, visited India to participate in the 'Leaders of the Future' programme, held in March 2012. Mr. Oluniyi Robbin-Coker, Minister of Energy and Water Resources visited India to participate in the Global Ministerial level "International Seminar on Energy Access" held in New Delhi in October, 2012.

A 4-member delegation led by Sahr George Pessima, Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, visited India for a study tour on 18-27 in January 2013. Dr. Richard Konteh, Chief of Staff, Office of the President, led the Sierra Leonean delegation to the 9th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave held in Delhi in March, 2013. The Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Alie Badara Mansaray was part of the delegation. The Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry accompanied by the Special Secretary to the Chief of Staff in the Presidency and two business executives participated in the 10th EXIM Bank - CII Conclave held in New Delhi in March 2014.

Mr. Sushil Kumar Modi, Dy. Chief Minister of Bihar, visited Sierra Leone to attend the "Sierra Leone Conference on Development and Transformation" held in Sierra Leone from 30 January to 1 February, 2012.

Sierra Leone is a Commonwealth member country. It was represented

at the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 by its 48-member sports delegation, led by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports.

The High Commission of India to Ghana is concurrently accredited to Sierra Leone with residence in Accra. The Honorary Consulate of India is functioning in Freetown since 1993.

The deployment of the 4000-strong Indian military contingent in the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) - initially led by Brig. S.C. Joshi as the head of a 10-member Military Liaison Unit (attached to the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Sierra Leone), and, thereafter, by Maj. Gen. V.K. Jetley as Force Commander of UNAMSIL, beginning January 2000 - left a positive impact among the Sierra Leoneans. Indian troops were phased out in January, 2001.

Commercial relations:

According to available statistics, total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$ 91.03 million and US$ 190.3 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. India's export to Sierra Leone was US$ 100.87 million as against an import figure of US$ 5.56 million in 2013-14 with bilateral trade registering US$ 106.43 million.

I n d i a n e x p o r t b a s k e t comprises mostly of drugs and pharmaceuticals, textile, eggs, and machine tools, while the major items of imports from Sierra

India-sierra Leone Bilateral Relations

Bilateral Ties


Leone include ferrous waste and scrap, wood pulp, waste paper and small quantities of titanium ores.

There are about 20 Indian NRI/PIO trading companies, based in Sierra Leone. Bharti Airtel, after its acquisition of Zain Africa for US$ 10.7 bn in 2010, has made an entry into Sierra Leone telecom sector, buying over Zain SL. In its assessment, the country offers promising prospects for growth.

Government of India has provided various assistance packages to Sierra Leone. During his visit to Sierra Leone in January 2009, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma, gifted 200 military barracks to Sierra Leone. These were erected by an Indian Public Secretor Undertaking. India gifted 29 packages of indelible ink in May, 2007 for Sierra Leone's presidential and parliamentary elections held in September 2007. India also supplied 40,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice to Sierra Leone in June 2008 to meet urgent requirements.

Line of Credit

With a view to assisting Sierra Leone in its socio-economic development, India has extended concessional loans through Lines of Credit (LoC) worth US$ 99.84 million for various projects in the country. These include (i) Development of Commercial Agriculture; (ii) Rehabilitation of Telecom Sector in Sierra Leone (SIERRATEL); (iii) Rehabilitation of Six Potable Water Projects; and (iv) Solar Street Lighting Project. Another two LOCs of US$ 30 million and US$ 15 million has been approved for Irrigation Development and Expansion of Rehabilitation of existing Potable Water Facilities respectively in Sierra Leone.

ITEC

Under the ITEC program, Sierra

Leone utilized 45 and 30 slots during the FY 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively. It has been allotted 40 ITEC slots for the current FY 2014-15. The ITEC Rural Solar Electrification course, held at the Barefoot College of Tilonia, has been found to be particularly relevant. Some Sierra Leonean women, upon their return from the course, have successfully installed the solar system in their villages providing inexpensive electricity to the rural households.

Disease (EVD), in December 2014 Government of India donated US $ 50,000 worth of medical equipment and medicines to the local government. This donation was in addition to the Government of India's contribution of US$ 12 million to the UN bodies responsible for fighting Ebola disease in Sierra Leone and the other two affected countries.

Indian Community

The Indian community in Sierra

Bilateral Ties

IAFS

India has also offered to set up the "India-Africa Information and Communication Technology Centre" in Sierra Leone under the decisions of the IAFS.

The Pan-African e-Network project is functioning well. The Sierra Leone Learning Centre has signed an MoU with all five participating Indian university centres. Furthermore, doctors as well as medical and pharmacology students have been regularly attending the tele-medicine programs and have found them to be beneficial.

Humanitarian Assistance

To help the Sierra Leonean government combat Ebola Virus

Leone is about 1400 strong, of which 500 are on short term contracts. Indians are mostly engaged in trade and manufacturing. A few of them are into mining and trading of gold and diamonds. There are about 60 Indian owned registered companies. Airtel is the biggest Mobile telecommunications company. Indian Mercantile Association is the only Indian association in Sierra Leone. A Hindu temple is run by the local Temple Committee. Choithram Trust, managed by the Indian owned Choitram Group, runs a Charitable Hospital.



India and Togo have cordial bilateral relations. Togolese President Mr. Gnassingbe

Eyadema visited India in 1994. Earlier, in 1989, he had made a brief stopover in Calcutta on his way to China. Prime Minister Mr. Gilbert Houngbo visited India to participate in the CII-Exim Bank Conclave in March 2010.

From Togo, Minister of Planning, Industrial Development and Administrative Reforms visited India in 1981. Minister for Rural Development visited India in 1985. High-level government and business delegations participated in the CII-EXIM Conclave on 'India-Africa Project Partnerships' held in November 2005 and October 2006 in New Delhi and in May 2006 in Accra. Minister of Cooperation and NEPAD of Togo led the Togolese delegation for the CII Conclave in October 2006.

Prime Minister, Mr. Gilbert Fousson Houngbo led a Togolese delegation to the 6th CII-Exim Bank Conclave in India in March 2010 and the 12th Regional Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership in Accra on 3 June 2010. The senior diplomatic Advisor to the President, Mr. Koffi Esaw, visited India in October, 2010 in connection with inauguration of the resident Mission of Togo in India.

A Togolese delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation visited India and participated in the Conference of LDC countries in February, 2011. A 50-member delegation

led by the Prime Minister, Mr. Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, visited India in March, 2011 for the CII Conclave.

A Ministerial delegation led by Mr. Noupokou Dammipi, Minister of Mining & Energy visited Delhi in November, 2011 to sign the LOC agreement with Exim Bank of India for US$ 15 million Line of Credit (LOC) credit extended to the Government of Togo for Rural Electrification Project.

Three MPs, Mr. Adjamgba Agbessi Theophile, Mr. Koffi Joseph Tchiko Akoda and Mr. Ayao Nicodeme Habia visited India to participate in the 'Leaders of the Future' programme, held in March 2012. The last two MPs, Mr. K. Akoda Tchiko Joseph and Mr. Ayao Habia again visited India in March 2013 under the "Leaders of the Future" programme and also participated in the 9th CII EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership. Ms. Essossimna Legzim-Balouki, Minister of Trade and Private Sector Promotion, led the Togolese delegation to the 9th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave held in Delhi in March, 2013. The Minister of Commerce & Private Sector Promotion led a 7-member delegation to the 10th EXIM Bank - CII Conclave held in New Delhi in March 2014.

From India, Lok Sabha Speaker, Dr. Balram Jakhar, visited Lome in 1985 for the Inter-Parliamentary Conference. An Indian dance ensemble visited Togo in 1984. Mr. Anand Sharma, MOS(AS),

met the President of Togo on 7 March 2007 in Accra during their visit to Ghana to participate in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Ghana's Independence and discussed with him various issues of mutual interest.

A 5-member Indian delegation led by Mr. Ajay Bhattacharya, Secretary (Fertilizers), visited Togo on 10-11 July, 2012 for exploring possibilities of cooperation in the area of phosphatic fertilizers. Another high level Government of India delegation, led by Mr. Sudhir Mital, Secretary (Fertilizer), visited Togo in June, 2013 for exploring possibilities of mining of phosphate and downstream manufacture of fertilizer.

A 3-member Indian delegation led by Mr. Arvind Kaushal, Additional Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education visited Togo in December 2013 in connection with the establishment of Agricultural Seed Production-cum-Demonstration Centre in Togo under IAFS decisions.

A 2-member IL&FS Clus te r delegation, Dr. Milan Sharma and Ms. Swati Joshi visited Togo in May 2014 in connection with providing technical assistance for development of the Togolese cotton industry.

India does not have a resident Mission in Togo. The Indian High Commission in Accra is concurrently accredited to Togo.There is an Indian Honorary Consul in Lome. Togo has opened a resident Mission in New Delhi in October 2010 headed by a resident Charge d'Affairs.

India-togo Bilateral Relations

Bilateral Ties


Commercial relations

India has provided economic assistance to Togo in the form of tractors (60), water pumps, sewing machines, ambulance, transport vehicles, corn-grinding machines, etc. On the request from the Togolese government, Indelible ink was supplied in 2002 for the elections held in Togo.

The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) of India organized a 2-day Indian Textile Exhibition (INTEXPO 2013) in March, 2013 in Togo.This first ever exhibition received good participation from local companies/traders.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IFFT), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo, organised an Executive Development Programme (EDP) in Lome in August 2013. It was attended by 69 participants from the Government, Public Sector organizations and private businesses.

Bilateral Trade

According to available statistics, total bilateral trade between the two countries was US$ 502 million in 2011-12. During the year 2012-13, bilateral trade registered US$ 477.29 million. In 2013-14, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$ 599.97 million with export from India at US$ 443.63 million and import from Togo at US$ 156.34 million.

India's major exports to Togo include mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; cereals and preparation of cereals cotton; articles of apparel and clothing; iron and steel articles; man-made filaments; man-made staple fibers; drugs and pharmaceuticals; machinery & mechanical appliances; plastic and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof; vehicles and parts and accessories thereof, etc. Imports from Togo include salt; sulphur; earths & stone; plastering materials, lime and cement; wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal; iron & steel.

ITEC

India offers training in human resource development under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. In the last couple of years, Togo has expressed strong interest in the capacity building modules under the ITEC programme. It utilized 35 slots allotted in the FY 2012-13 while in the last FY 2013-14, 37 slots were utilized. It has been allotted 40 ITEC slots for the FY 2014-15. In addition to the above, 6 Togolese scientists travelled to India between June and December 2013 for research

India had sent a consignment of medicines required by the floods affected people in 2008.

IAFS

In 2008, Togo signed the Country Agreement with TCIL for the Pan African E-Network Project which has been implemented. India has also offered to set up three other projects, viz. Human Settlement Centre, an India-Africa Centre for English Language Training, and an Agricultural Seed Production-cum-Demonstration in Togo under the decisions of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS).

Bilateral Ties

studies under the CV Raman Research Fellowships Scheme.

Line of Credit

India has extended four Lines of Credit (LOCs) totaling US$ 144.35 million through EBID and bilaterally) to Togo for various projects, which include 'Project Health Equipment' (completed); project to Upgrade the Power Generation and Distribution Capacity of CCET (under implementation); Rural Electrification (launched in October 2013); Transmission Lines in Kara-Mango-Dapong (signed in March 2014) and financing "Farming and Cultivation of Rice, Maize and Sorghum"(under processing).

Secretary, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) led a 3-member delegation from India for discussions with Togolese authorities on the setting up of Agricultural Seed Production-cum-Demonstration Centre in Togo in December 2013.

Indian community

Indian community in Togo is small and there are about 200-300 Indians living in the country. Most of them are businessmen engaged in trading, assembling, running super markets, hotels etc. The community has an Association though not very active due to the small size of the community.


Togolese capital Lome


supporting Agricultural Growth in Africa with Case IH’s Red Power

The world is demanding more from farms. According to FAO’s latest projections, by 2050 the world needs to produce 60% more food to feed a population that is expected to rise above 9 billion.

“This evolution represents tremendous challenges and opportunities for Africa, which is the world’s most developing market for the agricultural business,” says Marco Raimondo, Case IH’s new Business Director for Africa and the Middle East. This recent appointment is part of the undergoing evolution of the brand that follows the creation of parent company CNH Industrial N.V in September 2013. Stepping up from his previous positions of Marketing Director for Africa and the Middle East and then Sales Responsible for East and Central Africa, Raimondo brings to the new role front-line experience and deep understanding of the region.

“The pursuit of higher productivity and the slow but steady transition from subsistence farming to diversified agriculture are driving the growth of the agricultural equipment sector in our region, as confirmed by the positive results we achieved in 2014," adds Raimondo.

Since its foundation in 1842 in Racine (USA), Case IH has been at the forefront of the mechanization process and a key contributor to the transformation of agriculture, gaining a worldwide leadership in the agricultural equipment industry.

“Case IH has very strong positions in South Africa and in other countries such as Algeria, Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,“ he points out. “We are also achieving important results in Ghana where we are committed to further expand our presence in the near future.”

Equipment solutions for farms of all sizes

Speakingaboutthecompany’sfutureplanswithintheregion,Raimondoobserves:“Weintendtofurtherstrengthenour company’s position as a full liner of agricultural equipment with new product launches in 2015.”

Case IH is constantly investing in farming technologies and is able to provide a complete line of agricultural equipment to meet the demands of the highly diversified customer base in Africa.

“On the tractors side, units below 100 horsepower still represent the most important segment in terms of volumes but there are growing trends for big tractors too,” says Raimondo.

Case IH commercializes a wide offering of tractors from 45 to 608 hp, starting from the entry level JXT, JX Straddle and Farmall JX Series. The JXT tractors are produced at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Greater Noida, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. This is one of the most advanced manufacturing plants in the country. It boosts the highest quality standards in the tractor industry and exports products and components worldwide. It also includes a R&D centre for agricultural equipment with full development and testing capabilities.

The Indian-built JXT Series are among the most appreciated tractors in Africa. These all-purpose units perfectly match the renowned Case IH quality with the robustness and the ease of maintenance needed by small farmers.

“The JXT tractors are the ideal product for small scale African farms but also as utility tractors on any farming business,” says Raimondo. “They are simply strong, built on a robust mechanical design which offers rugged reliability, powerful performance and exceptionally low operating costs. They are true workhorses.”

Case IH has also a long-established reputation for powerful, high-performance tractors, which include the flagship Steiger and the Magnum Series, recently awarded “Tractor of the Year 2015”.

Business Writeup


Case IH Axial-Flow® combines have earned a leading position in the rotary combine harvester market. “In countries demanding for highly productive combines, as in South Africa, more than 30% of combines sold in 2014 were represented by Case IH. We play an important role wherever large-scale and corporate farms are present, as in Senegal, Sudan, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone,” explains Raimondo.

The company complements its offering with a complete line of balers, tillage and seeding equipment, hay and forage machinery, sprayers, precision farming technologies as well as specialized machines such as cotton pickers and the industry-leading Austoft® 8000 Series sugarcane harvesters.

“Case IH sugarcane harvesters are very popular in the sugar and ethanol industries in Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Sudan and Mauritius, as are its cotton pickers in the Sudanese market,” he says. ”In these segments, we can offer product solutions as no other company.”

Scaling up agribusiness in Africa

Africa’s economic performance over the last decade has been remarkable and agriculture has accounted for significant proportion of the continent’s GDP. The outlook is even more encouraging, considering that the continent posses the world’s largest reservoir of unused arable land, about 60%.

“Although we are used to speak about Africa as a whole, this is not correct,” adds Raimondo. “African countries may vary a lot from each other. There are countries where large farmers and corporate operations are relying on the most powerful equipment and advanced technologies. On the other hand, there are areas at their early-stage of mechanization.“

As a geographically diversified manufacturer of agricultural equipment with a broad network of dealers, Case IH is able to provide customers in each market with equipment, technical support and services that meet their specific requirements.

Strengthening the network

Aware that its success goes hand in hand with the selection of the right local partner for each country, Case IH is intensifying its distribution activities, as reflected by the recent appointment of its new dealer in Mozambique and by the partnership with the Japanese company Toyota Tsusho East Africa Limited, that distributes Case IH agricultural machinery in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“This first year of partnership with TTEA Ltd has been very positive, especially in Kenya,” adds Raimondo. “We are now looking to support Ghana’s great potential and its growing demand for agricultural equipment. We have also plans to further strengthen our network geographically to be even closer to our customers throughout the region.”

Today, Case IH operates in Africa and Middle East with a network of 21 distributors and 56 outlets, which covers 25 countries and provides qualified sales support and training as well as effective parts and technical support. In addition, the company is present in the region with representative offices and a Training Center in South Africa.

Further information on the Case IH portfolio of tractors and harvest technology is available online at www.caseih.com

For further information please contact:Cecilia Rathje

Tel.: +43 7435 500 634Case IH Public Relations Officer Europe, Middle East & Africa

E-mail: [email protected] • www.caseih.comPress releases and photos

http://mediacentre.caseiheurope.com

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These include providing support of Rs 1000 crore to Central Public Sector

units to set up over 1,000 MW grid connected solar photovoltaic power projects, setting up of 25 solar parks each with a capacity of 500 MW requiring financial support from the centre of Rs 4050 crore and setting up of over 300 MW of solar power projects by Defence and Para military establishments. With these decisions, India will emerge as a major solar power producing country as nowhere in the world solar parks are being developed on such a large scale.

The Government res to red Accelerated Depreciation benefit in the Union Budget 2014 to give much-needed relief to wind power developers and to ensure ramp-up of production. This will enable to kick start & ramp up wind capacity addition expeditiously. The Government amicably resolved the anti-dumping duty dispute. A whole host of measures have been undertaken to make India “Solar manufacturing” hub with priority for domestic players in line with “Make in India” programme. With these initiatives, domestic manufacturers will have greater visibility on order books,

have an opportunity to upgrade technologically and be able to reduce costs.

In order to facilitate speedy growth of renewable energy power generation in the country, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is preparing a Renewable Energy Bill. This apart, the Ministry is also preparing a scale up plan for the development of Solar in the next five years.

Outlining the new government’s priorities in the energy sector, President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing the first session of both Houses of Parliament after the elections to the 16th Lok Sabha, said that the government will come out with a comprehensive National Energy Policy and focus on development of energy related infrastructure, human resource and technology. The aim of the government will be to substantially augment electricity generation capacity through judicious mix of conventional and non-conventional sources. It will expand the national solar mission and connect households and industries with gas-grids.

To showcase India's renewable energy potential globally, the MNRE in partnership with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), the Confederation of Indian Industry

Renewable energy Programmes Gets A new Impetus; Focus on

Development of energy InfrastructureGiving a fillip to the country’s renewable energy programme, the new

government led by Mr. Narendra Modi has taken a slew of decisions in a span of six months to boost “Clean Energy” in the country

Sustainable Development


(CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organizing the Global Renewable Energy Investment Promotion Meet (RE-INVEST) from 15-17 February, 2015 as a follow-up to the 'Make in India' initiative launched by the Prime Minister. RE-INVEST will enable the global investment community to connect with the renewable energy stakeholders in India.

The details of the major initiatives of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to boost “Clean Energy” in the country are as follows:

1. Scheme for development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects:

The Government has recently approved a Scheme for setting up of 25 Solar Parks, each with the capacity of 500 MW and above and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects to be developed in next 5 years in various States and will require Central Government financial support of Rs 4050 crore. These parks will be able to accommodate over 20,000 MW of solar power projects. 12 states have so far given consent for setting up of Solar Parks. They are: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir,

Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. The solar parks will be developed in collaboration with State Governments and their agencies.

2. Setting up of over 300 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by Defence establishments and Para Military Forces with viability gap funding:

Under this Scheme over 300 MW of Grid-Connected and Off-Grid Solar PV Power Projects will be set up by Defence Establishments under Ministry of Defence and Para Mil i tary Force under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with Viability Gap Fund (VGF) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in five years that is from 2014 to 2019. Under the Scheme there is a stipulation of mandatory condition that all PV cells and modules used in the solar plants set up under this Scheme will be made in India. To implement this Scheme a provision of an amount of Rs 750 crore for MNRE from the National Clean Energy Fund has been earmarked.

3. Implementation of Scheme for setting up 1000 MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power projects by CPSUs and GoI organisations with Viability Gap Funding:

The Government has a lso approved the Scheme for setting up of 1000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects with VGF (Viability Gap Fund) support of Rs.1000 crore, by CPSUs under various Central/State Schemes, in three years period from 2015-16 to 2017-18. The Scheme will have a mandatory condition that all PV cells and modules used in solar plants set up under this Scheme, will be made in India. The CPSUs and Government of India organisations like NTPC, NHPC, CIL, IREDA, Indian Railways, etc. are coming forward to set up solar power projects.

4. Classification of Renewable Projects from Red to Green Category:

On the request of MNRE, Ministry of Environment and Forests has decided that classification of Solar, Wind and Small Hydro Projects be out of Red Category to Green Category under Central and State Pollution Control Boards. CPCB has issued an amendment in the categories of industries, according to which the Wind and Solar power projects of all capacities and Small Hydro projects of <25 MW capacity have been put in Green category, i.e. the project developers to obtain clearance from SPCB to “establish and operate” only once in the beginning.



5. Continuation of Schemes for 12th Plan Period:

The Gove rnmen t approved the following schemes for their continuation during the 12th Plan period: (i) National Biogas andManure Management Programme (NBMMP), (ii) Scheme to Support Promotion of Grid-Interactive Biomass Power and Bagasse Co-generation in Sugar Mills, (iii) Programme for the Development of Small Hydro Power, and (iv) Off-grid and Decentralized Solar Applications under JNNSM.

6. Enhancement in MNRE’s Budget by 65.8% in Regular Budget, 2014-15:

The Budget Estimate of the Ministry is increased by 65.8% to Rs.2519 crore in the Regular Budget passed by the Parliament in July from Rs.1,519 crore provided in the Interim Budget. Clean Energy Cess on coal has been increased from Rs 50 per tonne to Rs 100 per tonne so that adequate funds are available for financing Renewable Energy projects.

7. Restoration of Accelerated Depreciation (AD) Benefits to Wind Power Projects:

After significant harm was done to the wind sector due to withdrawal of AD with effect from 1.4.2012, it has been restored on 18.7.2014. This decision of the Government will help in creating a robust manufacturing base of wind turbines in the country.

8. Scheme for Development of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks and Canal Tops :

MNRE launched a Scheme for Development of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks and Canal Tops in the country during the 12th Plan period at an estimated cost of Rs. 975 crore and with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs. 228 crore. The objective of this scheme is to

achieve gainful utilization of the unutilized area on top of Canals and also the vacant Government land along the banks of Canals wherever available, for setting up Solar PV power generation plants for feeding the generated power to Grid and to set up a total capacity of 100 MW solar PV power projects.

9. Financing Roof top Solar PV:

The Department of Financial Services under the Union Finance Ministry has advised all banks to encourage home loan/home improvement loan seekers to install roof top solar PVs and include the cost of equipment in their home loan proposals just like non solar lighting, wiring and other such fittings. Apart from this, the RBI have issued instructions to all Scheduled Commercial Banks that the loans sanctioned by banks directly to individuals for setting up off-grid solar and other off-grid renewable energy solutions for households will be covered under Priority Sector lending.

10. Scaling up of a programme of Solar Pumps:

The existing programme of Solar Pumps has been scaled up to solarize one lakh solar pumps and supplementary guidelines to this effect have been issued. The target of one lakh pumps has been allocated amongst, 20,000 are allocated to Ministry of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation (20000 pumps for drinking water), MNRE (solarizing 50,000 pumps for irrigation purpose through States) and to NABARD (30000 pumps) for innovative implementation

11. Improved Cook-stoves:

Unnat Chulha Abhiyan9uca) Programme with the objectives to develop and deploy improved

cook-stoves for providing cleaner cooking energy solutions in rural, semi –urban and urban areas using biomass as fuel for cooking launched. This will save rural women from the carcinogenic fumes emitted when traditional fuels are burned.

12. Obtaining/Extending Line of Credits for IREDA:

• The Agence F ranca i se deDevelopment (AFD) of France has decided to extend a Line of Credit (LoC) of Euro 100 million to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA), for the tenure of 15 years without any guarantee from Government of India, for financing the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects in the country. An agreement to this effect was signed between AFD and IREDA on 22 May, 2014.

• Indian Renewable EnergyDevelopment Agency (IREDA) Ltd and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) signed an Agreement for availing another Line of Credit (LoC) of JPY 30 billion for 30 years (including the grace period of 10 years) from JICA according to which IREDA shall utilize the funds for financing Renewable Energy projects in India.

• AMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU) has been signed by IREDA and US Exim Bank with respect to cooperation on clean energy investment. As per MoU, US Exim Bank shall provide US $ 1 Billion medium and long-term guaranteed and/or direct dollar loans to finance U.S. technologies, products and services utilized during commercial development activities within the clean energy sector by IREDA.

13. Setting up a JVC for undertaking the First Demonstration Offshore Wind Power Project in the country along the Gujarat Coast:

An MOU was signed on 1st October, 2014 for setting up a Joint Venture



Company (JVC) to undertake first Demonstration Offshore Wind Power Project in the country along the Gujarat coast. The signatories of the MoU were Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), and Consortium of partners consisting of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Power Trading Corporation (PTC), and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL). The JVC will undertake detailed feasibility study and necessary steps as deemed necessary for implementation of the first offshore demonstration wind power project.

14. Formation of an Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS):

To promote the interaction amongst the State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) implementing the renewable energy programmes to enable them to learn from each other's experiences and share their best practices, MNRE took an initiative in consultation with SNAs and formed an Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (abbreviated as "AREAS), registered as a society on 27 August 2014, under Society Registration Act 1860.

IN A NUTSHELL: MAJOR INITIATIVES TO BOOST CLEAN ENERGY IN THE COUNTRY

• Schemeforsettingup25solarparkseach with a capacity of 500 MW and above and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects; to be set up during five years that is from 2014-15 to 2018-19 and will require Central Government financial support of Rs.4050 crore.

• Settingupover 300MWofGrid-Connected and Off-Grid Solar PV Power Projects by Defence Establishments and Para Military Forces with Viability Gap Fund (VGF) under JNNSM; Provision of an amount of Rs.750 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) for the purpose.

• Scheme for setting up 1000MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power projects by CPSUs and GoI organisations under various Central / State Schemes / self-use / 3rd party sale / merchant sale with Viability Gap Funding under batch – V of Phase-II of JNNSM.

• Scheme for Developmentof Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks and Canal Tops ; to be implemented during the 12th Plan period at an estimated cost of Rs. 975 crore and with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs. 228 crore.

loan seekers to install roof top solar PVs

• ClassificationofSolar,Windand Small Hydro Projects be out of Red Category to Green Category.

• Existingprogrammeof SolarPumps scaled up to solarize one lakh solar pumps.

• SettingupaJVCforundertakingthe First Demonstration Offshore Wind Power Project in the country.

• A g e n c e F r a n c a i s e d eDevelopment (AFD) of France extended a Line of Credit (LoC) of Euro 100 million to Indian Renewable Energy

• Enhancement in MNRE’sBudget by 65.8% in Regular Budget, 2014-15.

• Restoration of AcceleratedDepreciation (AD) Benefits to Wind Power Projects.

• Clean Energy Cess on coalincreased from Rs 50 per tonne to Rs 100 per tonne so that adequate funds are available for financing Renewable Energy projects.

• Banks advised to encouragehome loan/home improvement

Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA).

• IREDAandJapanInternationalCo-operation Agency (JICA) signed an Agreement for availing another Line of Credit (LoC) of JPY 30 billion for 30 years .

• An MOU was signed forsetting up a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to undertake first Demonstration Offshore Wind Power Project in the country along the Gujarat coast.



security Challenges in Africa: India’s Foreign Policy Response

By Dr. Sandipani Dash*

has got its reflection in the electoral politics the continent. The competitive claims over electoral mandates have, many a time, led to ethno-political violent contestations in the African countries. This has constrained the consolidation of procedural democracy in the politically ‘aspirational and polarized’ countries in Africa, weakening their integrating institutional mechanisms.

The insecurity in Africa is linked to competition between dominant global powers and new challengers over the continent’s economic space, notably its resource base. The rising significance of emerging powers in Africa has resulted in more securitization of commercial stakes by external powers. The political dissent has selectively been used by some of these actors as strategic opportunities in the specific African countries. In some cases, this has resulted in disproportionate military interventions, creating scope for further security unrest in the continent.

The complex security scenario has provided space for radical mobilisation along extremist/religious fault lines in Africa. This is evident from the steady rise in terror attacks in many parts of the continent in the recent years. The lethality of these attacks became a gradual reality in Africa, ever since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces started providing arms and related logistical support


The new imperatives of g l o b a l i z a t i o n h a v e i n t e n s i f i e d A f r i c a ’ s

interface with India, which has been nurtured by mutuality of worldviews and interests through century-long linkages. India and Africa are, therefore, currently realizing the importance of greater security cooperation. The thrust areas of security cooperation include containment of conflict, strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms and fostering post–conflict reconstruction process. Keeping this in perspective, the policy brief will identify the sources and macro trends of African conflict, in terms of juridico-political dispute, ethno-electoral contestation, external competition for economic space, extremist mobilization and human security problem. It will also characterize the tri-leveled (country/regional/AU) internal response to the complex security crisis in Africa. The policy brief will try and explore the scope for India’s security partnership with the continent at bilateral, regional and AU levels.

Security Challenges

The current security crisis in Africa

is predominantly characterized by the intertwined intra- and inter-state conflicts. The genesis of this crisis lies in many factors, including arbitrary territorial demarcation by the colonial powers, Cold War encampments of the super powers containing the functional interface between the political regimes and the citizenry, consequent restriction of the demographic cohesion in the post-colonial societies, and increasingly selective unilateral post-Cold War interventions or threat of such interventions by the supra-state actors, assisted by the extra-regional powers, into the continent in the guise of ‘ international mandate.’ These exogenous factors are compounded by the dereliction of the domestic ethno-political dispensation of the individual African countries.

There is also constant electoral contestation in Africa, where multi-party rule has been adopted by many of its countries after going for Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) since the early 1990s. While SAP became a catalyst for institutionalization of democratic governance across Africa, pre-existing ethnic tension


to the Islamist groups in their campaign against Gadafi in Libya in the year 2011. In this respect, a United Nations (UN) report published in April 2013 stated, “Illicit flows from [Libya] are fuelling existing conflicts in Africa and the Levant and enriching the arsenals of a range of non-state actors, including terrorist groups.”

Above all, human security crisis is the top most concern in Africa. The continent’s integration into world economy has unleashed unprecedented economic growth, bringing simultaneous problems concerning service distribution and opportunity access for its people. Under economic globalization process, the decade-long decline

African Response

African countries have successfully contained some of their intra- and inter-state conflicts in their quest for political peace and stability. Under regional initiatives, coupled with international assistance, the political, social and commercial institutions have been rebuilt in some of the erstwhile conflict-affected countries. The ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) has emerged as a crucial peace enforcer in West African region. The African Union (AU) has also done substantial work in his regard. The AU charter has equipped the member states better in terms of handling

growth and stability in Africa. On human security front, the AU and ECOWAS are actively engaged in efforts towards combating the spread of Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

India’s Partnership

India and Africa continue their close security cooperation, inc luding through regular consultations at the UN, at the AU and in New Delhi/national capitals. New Delhi has security cooperation with several African countries, including South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Nigeria. India has signed its first strategic partnership with South Africa. Both remain committed towards operationalisation of the African Standby Force through special training programmes. This cooperation has been appreciated in the UN, in the AU, in the regional entities like ECOWAS of India’s contribution in peacekeeping, in providing security in the countries which are in the conflict zone in Africa.

India’s contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) is acknowledged globally, especially in Africa. India has become part of the conflict-containment and reconstruction process of the affected region. As the third largest contributor of personnel to the UNPKO, India’s significant participation in the conflict-containment and reconstruction process is recognized in Africa. India has more than 5,000 peacekeepers in Africa. In 2007, India’s unparalleled contribution o f a 125-member Female Formed Police Unit (FFPU) of its paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to the UN Mission in Liberia represents the first-ever women contingent in the history of UN peacekeeping.


India is supportive of the ongoing effort of developing an African Standby Force

for enhancing the continent’s capacity to maintain peace and security. Africa, on its

part, also appreciates India’s principled support to and continuing involvement

with UN peacekeeping operations

in poverty rate in much of Africa coincides with growing inequities at national and regional levels, and with respect to the rest of the world. Based on gender, rural/urban location and family income considerations, there is an increase in access disparity to basic services, such as food, water, health care, sanitation and education across the continent. Among these development challenges, emergency of public health caused by the spread of epidemics currently remains a major human security issue in Africa. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has, for instance, declared Ebola as a regional security threat, affecting so far nearly 20, 000 people and taking more than 7, 000 lives in West Africa.

conflict related problems through collective action. Consequently, the AU states legitimately and frequently deploy Pan-African force to intervene in the conflict theatres. The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has, indeed, played a decisive role in containing conflict in Africa.

The AU and the reg ional groupings like Southern African D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m u n i t y (SADC) have acted as effective moderators in competitive claims over electoral mandates in the politically ‘aspirational’ and ethnically ‘polarized’ countries in Africa. The AU has accorded a prominent position to political democracy by recognizing its credibility as an ‘enabling choice system’ that fosters economic


The Indian women police force deployment has emerged as a source of inspiration for the conflict-affected women in Liberia and wider West Africa.

In the context of issues relating to international peace and security, India has appreciated efforts made by the AUPSC in maintaining peace in Africa. New Delhi recognizes the role of African countries in maintaining peace and security in the continent and their participation in peacekeeping missions in other parts of the world. India is supportive of the ongoing effort of developing an African Standby Force for enhancing the continent’s capacity to maintain peace and security. Africa, on its part, also appreciates India’s principled support to and continuing involvement with UN peacekeeping operations, especially in the African continent. Moreover, India has engaged with Africa as one of its crucial partners in the electoral process. New Delhi has approved US$ 10 million to the UN fund, and has promised an additional amount of US$ 2 million for the purchase of protective gear, to combat the Ebola epidemic.

India’s security cooperation with Africa needs a greater thrust. As a victim of terrorism, India could partner in the proposed multilateral and regional counter-terror init iatives in Africa. Moreover, India’s position in the case of politico-armed intra-state conflicts in Africa – i.e. protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the conflict afflicted country along with the sensitivity towards the legitimate aspirations of its people - needs to be articulated in a more proactive and pronounced fashion. While this policy articulation has to be undertaken through bilateral channel, at the AU and regional levels, logistical, personnel and

capacity building support have to be provided.

Recommendation

a) A holistic conception of India-Africa security cooperation has to be developed.

b) The exchange of defense ministerial visits requires greater thrust, with special focus on relatively smaller states.

c) Similar exchange of visits at the level of National Security Advisors should be initiated.

d) Commitment to cooperate in the strengthening of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights deserves serious attention.

e) Efforts in partnering Africa Standby Force should be further strengthened.

f) India could try and partner in the proposed multilateral a n d r e g i o n a l c o u n t e r -terror initiatives in Africa, by contributing logistical support and capacity building ass i s tance . Tra in ing o f specialized counter-terrorism units could be explored.

g) The defence production pa r t n e r s h i p s h o u l d be promoted on a priority basis. Moreover, the illegal small arms imports need to be curbed on an urgent basis.

h) A member of the AU Partners Group, India could deepen its partnership in the logistical and capacity building fronts of


the electoral process in Africa.i) India should encourage

multi-stakeholder dialogue on its resource production partnership in Africa.

j) There is a need for calibrated synchronization between economic partnership and security cooperation.

k) India could place its diplomatic personnel on the ground in Somaliland/Puntland, if not Somalia proper, to monitor refugee outf lows, along with training in medicine, education, etc.

l) Ind ia cou ld ass i s t the World Food Programme in its deliveries in and out of Mogadishu’s sea ports, leveraging this humanitarian effort to build contacts and goodwill among local clan leaders.

m)tion on political and security crisis situations needs to be articulated in a more proactive and pronounced fashion. In this regard, an Africa strategy paper should be prepared through involvement of the various stakeholders.

o) There should be greater push for reforms of global institutions of security and governance by mobilizing support among the African countries.

*The author is a Research Fellow at

the Indian Council of World Affairs,

New Delhi.

India could contribute to the AU and ECOWAS efforts in containing Ebola

epidemic in West Africa. Different strands of Ebola could be researched and low cost

medicine should be developed. In this regard, African countries would have to provide necessary data on virus strands.


‘India-Africa Cooperation: Role of Regional economic Communities’

A Round Table Discussion entitled “India-Africa Cooperation: Role of

Regional Economic Communities” was organised by ICWA on August 21, 2014 at Sapru House in New Delhi. The discussion, in which representatives of the 6 major Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Africa shared their views, followed the opening remarks by Ambassador Rajiv K. Bhatia, the Director General of ICWA. Mr. Vinay Kumar, Joint Secretary (E&SA), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, also shared his views during the event.

Ambassador Rajiv K. Bhatia in his opening remarks congratulated the leadership of India and the partner countries of Africa in making the India-Africa Forum Summits a huge success. Previous two summits were held in 2008 and 2011. Africa watchers, diplomats, scholars and supporters of Indo-African ties look forward to the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit,

in December 2014. He stated that the India-Africa Summit level dialogue will go a long way in deepening and consolidating the Indo-African partnership. Ambassador Bhatia highlighted that the RTD would focus on the second tier of the three tiers which exist in terms of India’s engagementswithAfrica,namely:1. Pan African; 2. Regional and; 3. Bilateral.

In his address, Mr. Vinay Kumar, Joint Secretary (E&SA), Ministry

of External Affairs, reiterated the point made by the DG, ICWA and said that India’s cooperation with Africa has taken the shape of a „three - level programme". He said that there are eight RECs that are recognised by the African Union (AU), and India has been engaging them in a comprehensive manner. These include the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), E c o n o m i c C o m m u n i t y o f Central African States (ECCAS), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of West African States

Africa, he said that India and African countries have centuries-old cultural, economic and historical linkages. He underscored the criticality of the economic and political situation in the world and India and Africa's attempts to promote peace and prosperity. Dr. Sezibera added that in terms of land mass, together the countries of the African continent are larger than the US, West Europe, India

and China put together; and yet in terms of share in the global trade, Africa’s share is a miniscule three percent. He emphasised that in order to change the situation, regional economic integration has to be intensified.

He identified five macro-level challenges that Africa has been facing: fragmentation of thecontinent into 54 economies; energy security challenges; infrastructure def ic i t ; ski l l deficiency, and lack of food security. He argued that sustained focus on the key aspects such as skill development, energy generation, infrastructure building and food security is the key to peace and prosperity in Africa. Amb (Eng) Mahboub M. Maalim, Executive Secretary, IGAD said that the colonial masters had robbed Africa off its culture, language, and natural resources. Missing, designated strategic engagement" has further crippled systematic and comprehensive development of Africa. He highlighted the importance of private sector participation, calling it the key

(ECOWAS), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CENSAD) and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA).

Briefing about the run-up to the 3rd India – Africa Summit, he said that the officials from African RECs have been in touch with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute), in addition to the Ministry of External Affairs of India. In his address, Dr. Richard Sezibera, Secretary General, EAC, said that as the world is moving fast with globalisation, India and Africa’s endeavours for free trade, scientific cooperation, peace and security need further strengthening. Highlighting the importance of India's ties with



to development in Africa. In that regard, strengthening the human resource potential is vital. Facets of multilayered cooperation viz., Track II diplomacy, capacity development programmes, and public private partnership are essential in that context.

Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abani, Acting Secretary General, CEN-SAD said that Africa is a land of opportunities, and active and effective cooperation between India and Africa is important to tap the potential of countries of the continent. He also mentioned the popularity of Indian cuisine and Bollywood in several African countries. He pointed out that there is a lack of Indian airlines flights to West Africa.

Dr. Kipyego Cheluget, Assistant Secretary General (Programmes), COMESA underlined the need for greater interaction between the Indian and African policymakers and leaders at political and strategic levels. India-Africa partnership holds a lot of potential as the two sides not only have common interests at the international forums but some are India's maritime neighbours too. So far as RECs are concerned, overlapping membership has become a bane for economic integration. Therefore, the ongoing tripartite agreement among EAC, COMESA and SADC, which comprises half of the African Union member countries, to establish a Free Trade Area is extremely important. The agreement, if realized, would pave the way for a stronger Africa. He underscored the importance of national languages and the need for Hindi and Swahili language training in Africa and India

respectively. He emphasized the need for India and Africa to find practical ways to collaborate and added that “breaking borders to encourage regional trade and developing infrastructure at regional level is essential.” He suggested that India should work towards opening chains of AIIMS and Apollo hospitals in African countries.

Mr. Sidjime Saleh, Director, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) listed out several challenges that African countries are facing. The list includes: problems relating topeace and security, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and education. He added that ECCAS and India have committed themselves to a number of goals; turning the commitments into reality will be a "win-win situation" for the two sides. In that regard, he emphasized on the need for regular visits and exchanges at the top level. Mr. Nagendra K. Saxena, in his remarks, highlighted that as the world population crosses ten billion mark, the world would need more natural resources and arable land, with which Africa is richly endowed. Citing the example of Tanzania, he emphasised that countries of the African continent have to strive towards self reliance and self sufficiency, and partner with countries with that goal in mind. Focussing on the importance of skill development, it was added that it is not just about employability and growth; it is also about the ability to

skilfully and effectively manage international negotiations that are critical for the developing nations.

Discussions were also held on issues relating to extremist violence in Africa, nexus between conflict and food security. Participants agreed that intra-African trade needs to be strengthened. Role of World Trade Organisation (WTO) was also highlighted in strengthening RECs. With regard to discussions concerning W a s h i n g t o n a n d B e i j i n g Consensus, it was highlighted that there is an emerging African Consensus, which is propelling the African leaders to set their own national and regional priorities in terms of inviting foreign investments in specific sectors. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Rajiv K. Bhatia said

that India and African countries have mutual respect and affection and there is mutual desire to deepen cooperation at all levels. It is imperative for them to "fight disease, ignorance and hunger together." Realisation of the goals, however, needs careful working. He added that in terms of resource development, India could be Africa’s "best partner", considering the vast pool of skilled human resources India has at its disposal. Ambassador Bhatia closed the session with the statement, “India has emerged as a power centre. It is no longer a third world country. It is guided by enlightened self interest- an idea that works best for both India and its friends including the countries of Africa... the Asian & African Century is not far, if India and Africa work tirelessly for it.”

The Report is prepared by Dr. Rahul Mishra, Research Fellow at Indian Council for World Affairs.



Background

India’s cultural and civilisational heritage is reflected in the World Heritage List of the World Heritage Committee but in an incomplete manner. There has been a greater emphasis on cultural sites while natural and mixed sites have not been fully reflected. This is a phenomenon in many parts of the world including in old Europe, where cultural heritage overwhelmingly dominates recognition of Europe’s great cultural heritage on the World Heritage List. Natural heritage, whether in India or in Europe, is inadequately represented.

Perhaps the reason for this imbalance lies in the process of nomination and inscription, painstakingly elaborated in the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage Convention. Perhaps it is also because tangible heritage, as represented in magnificent monuments and buildings such as the Taj Mahal are much easier to justify in accordance with the guidelines for inscription, as opposed to natural and mixed sites. I would give an example later, but let us first examine the Convention and the inscription process.

World Heritage Convention

T h e C o n v e n t i o n a d o p t e d in 1972 has proved to be a remarkably visionary instrument for safeguarding the world’s heritage. It has been dubbed

as the flagship programme of UNESCO and has set the standard for conventions, instruments and programmes for conservation. Its Secretariat, known as the World Heritage Centre, is headed by an eminent Indian from the Indian Forest Service of 1976 batch, Shri Kishore Rao, who is also an expert on natural heritage.

Today, the World Heritage map has come to cover the globe. It has helped to recognize and protect properties whose exceptional universal value would make their disappearance and an irreparable loss, not only for the country concerned but for humanity itself. Perhaps, the greatest achievement of the Convention is that it has deepened public awareness of the need to protect and nurture this precious international legacy

of the world. For if heritage attests to our common history, its preservation demonstrate our concern for our environment and our commitment to our collective future.

Operational Guidelines leading to inscription of Properties on the World Heritage List

The preparation of the nomination dossier is central to the process of inscription. According to existing rules of business, it is the Archaeological Survey of India headed by its Director General with overall supervision by Secretary (Culture) that spearheads the process in India including the politically sensitive process of selection from the vast number of sites in India

Recognition of India's World Heritage: Inscription of Indian sites

on the World Heritage ListBy Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee*

Taj Mahal

In Focus Article


which all deserve inscription. The Indian Ambassador/PR to UNESCO plays the role of adviser in the process and later as India’s member on the World Heritage Committee, plays a crucial role in the intricate and, unfortunately, highly poli t ical process of b a c k g r o u n d n e g o t i a t i o n s within the Committee, leading to inscription. I would give a few examples later, according to my experience as India’s Ambassador to UNESCO and India’s representative on the World Heritage Committee from September 04 to June 10.

Mountain Railways of India Before States Parties begin to prepare a nomination of a property for inscription on the World Heritage List, they should become familiar with the nomination cycle. It is desirable to carry out initial preparatory work to establish that a property has the potential to justify Outstanding Universal Value, including integrity or authenticity, before the development of a full nomination dossier.

States Parties are encouraged to prepare nominations with the participation of a wide variety of stakeholders, including site managers, local and regional governments, local communities, NGOs and other interested parties.

States Parties are strongly encouraged to transmit to the Secretariat by 30 September of the preceding year (see paragraph 168) the draft nominations that they wish to submit by the 1 February deadline. This submission of a draft nomination should include maps showing the boundaries for the proposed site.

Sanchi Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, but only those nominations that are "complete" and received by the Secretariat on or before February 3 will be considered for inscription on the World

Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee during the following year. Only nominations of properties included in the State Party's Tentative List will be examined by the Committee. Nominations of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List should be prepared in accordance with the format.

The format includes the following sections:

• IdentificationoftheProperty• DescriptionoftheProperty• JustificationforInscription• State of conservation and

factors affecting the property• ProtectionandManagement• Monitoring• Documentation

nominated property and any buffer zone.

2. Description of the Property

• The desc r ip t ion o f theproperty should include the identification of the property, and an overview of its history and development.

3. Justification for Inscription.

This section should indicate the World Heritage criteria under which the property is proposed, together with a clearly stated argument for the use of each criterion. Based on the criteria, a proposed Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of the property prepared by the State

Konark Sun Temple

• Contact In format ion ofresponsible authorities

• Signature on behalf of theState Party(ies)

For a nomination to be considered as complete, the following requirementsmaybenoted:

1. Identification of the Property

The boundaries of the property being proposed should be clearly defined, unambiguously distinguishing between the

Party should make clear why the property is considered to merit inscription on the World Heritage List. A comparative analysis of the property in relation to similar properties, whether or not on the World Heritage List, both at the national and international levels, should also be provided. The comparative analysis should explain the importance of the nominated property in its national and international

In Focus Article


context. Statements of integrity and/or authenticity should be included.

4. State of conservation and factors affecting the property

This section should include accurate information on the present state of conservation of the property (including information on its physical condition of the property and conservation measures in place). It should also include a description of the factors affecting the property (including threats).

Requirements for the nomination of different types of properties:

Transboundary properties

A nominated property may occur:

a) on the territory of a single State Party, or

b) on the territory of all concerned States Parties having adjacent borders ( t ransboundary property).

Serial properties

Serial properties will include two

Mountain Railways of India

The Great Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, India

or more component parts related byclearlydefinedlinks:

a) Component parts should reflect cultural, social or functional links over time that provide, where relevant, landscape, ecological, evolutionary or habitat connectivity.

b) Each component part should contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property as a whole.

A serial nominated property may occur:

a) on the territory of a single State Party (serial national property); or

b) within the territory of different States Parties, which need not be contiguous and is nominated with the consent of all States Parties concerned (serial transnational property).

Evaluation of nominations by the Advisory Bodies

The Advisory Bodies will evaluate whether or not propert ies nominated by States Parties have Outstanding Universal Value, meet the conditions of integrity and/or authenticity and meet the requirements of protection and management.

Evaluations of cultural heritage nominations will be carried out by ICOMOS.

Evaluations of natural heritage nominations will be carried out by IUCN.

In the case of nominations of cultural properties in the category of 'cultural landscapes', as appropriate, the evaluation will be carried out by ICOMOS in consultation with IUCN. For mixed properties, the evaluation will be carried out jointly by ICOMOS and IUCN.

Evaluation and Conclusion

The above demonstrates that

In Focus Article


Mahabodhi Temple

Ajanta Caves

inscription on the World Heritage List is a time-bound process that should respect the procedures elaborated in the Operational Guidelines, from the inscription on the Tentative List, to the preparation of the "nomination dossier”, to active lobbying of other members of the Committee regarding the merits of the site proposed, to the interaction and engagement with the concerned Advisory Body, whether ICOMOS or IUCN, to the actual presentation of the case before the Committee. Sometimes, a nomination can fail because of a cultural divide within members of the Committee or because of a one-sided presentation by the Advisory Body concerned.

I recall that in the case of Majuli Island, on the Brahmaputra river in Assam, an Island larger than Belgium, despite our best efforts to present our dossier as an outstanding cultural landscape symbolising India’s Shivate heritage, the representative of the Advisory Body concerned only focussed on climate change issues arguing that Majul i Islands’ Outstanding Universal Value would diminish because of the changing course of the Brahmaputra river. There was little understanding of the cultural issues at stake, and of the impact of its inscription, the first in Assam, on its future existence and conservation. Ultimately, as is unfortunately the case often in the Committee, it became the victim of a highly political vote with Western countries voting against India. We lost by a narrow margin. (Reference WHC Meeting in Quebec, Canada).

An example, however, where we were able to prevail despite the adverse report by the Advisory Body was the historic Apravasi Ghat in Mauritius, which traces the indentured route from India

to Mauritius. Although the representative of the Advisory Body tried to argue that there was no indentured route and that these Indians were seeking a better future through immigration, India was able to make the case along with Mauritius to Committee members that indentured labour’s passage to Apravasi Ghat could not be compared with modern immigration as we understand it and that its OUV was intact

and represented a significant historic memory to the World, similar to the Slave Route. Despite the protest by the Advisory Body, this site was inscribed by acclamation representing a great victory for India and Mauritius.

(Reference WHC Meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania)

Let me conclude by underlining the importance of understanding the process of inscription and to prevail upon the Committee members to accept the merits of our case, if we are of the view that our site has OUV. Swami Vivekanand has said:"Our motherland is awakening from her deep long sleep.. India that is to be, the future

India, must be much greater than ancient India.” To demonstrate the greatness of this heritage past and present, we must be fully aware of and master the procedure of nomination, since the process itself is complex, time consuming, poorly understood and often frustrating.

*(Amb. Bhaswati Mukherjee has served as India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO during 2004-2010)

In Focus Article


India-Africa RelationsBy Amb. Virendra Gupta

Former Ambassador to South Africa

A talk by Mr. Virendra Gupta , fo rmer High Commissioner of India to

South Africa, on “India- Africa relations” was organized by the Africa, LAC and UN Centre on October 16, 2014. During the talk and the ensuing discussion several issues related to India engagement with the continent were raised.

Many regions within Africa have fast growing economies, for example, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and Nigeria. As a result of this there is an increase in the confidence of the African nations to be more assertive and wanting to take decisions on their own issues. But the increase in economic growth and the abundance of natural resources that are needed to be tapped continues to attract developing economies like China and India. But the new assertiveness that the African nations are demonstrating has forced many countries like India to change its strategy of engagement in the continent.

It is also important to understand the changing nature of the political environment. Democracy in Africa has taken stronger root and there is a huge intolerance towards any form of autocracy or military coup. This has shown that Africa is slowly maturing in dealing

with its own affairs. Rwanda is a good example of how good governance can revive a nation which was once engulfed with a brutal civil war.

At present, growth in Africa is based on its mineral wealth and India is becoming increasingly dependent on Africa for its requirement for resources to fuel its own economic growth. The economic footing of India in Africa has increased considerably since 2001. India has made substantial investment in Africa and about 150 Indian companies have interacted with the region. The Indian companies’ main offices are in South Africa which will eventually branch out to different regions.

Gradually, Afr ican nations are resenting the way China is conducting itself. China is fol lowing a more Western mercantilist (predatory) approach where they are solely engaging in Africa for extracting its valuable resources to fuel its own economic development. Also the relationship between China and African regions is of donor and recipient.. China only gives material aid to the African regions and does not participate in skill development and job creation for the local African population. The Chinese model has therefore been

exposed and is something that India should not replicate.

Historically, India has been part of the freedom struggle and decolonization movement in Africa. As a result of which India has attained a certain level of good will and respect from the African people. Keeping this similar history of colonization in mind, India has always been involved in Africa not as an exploiter but as a contributor.

It is wrong to perceive the continent as a homogenous entity. This is because Africa is very diverse. Also, African Union as an institution is not roboust. Many strong players in AU for example South Africa and Nigeria often not represent the affairs of the other less significant regions in the continent. Also, since the AU is not a cohesive organization, channeling foreign aid collectively is difficult. Hence, a Pan-African engagement is not advisable for India until there is a certain level of cooperation among the African nations themselves.

However, India-Africa Forum (IAF) Summit is a platform through which India engages with African nations. Though the last two summits have been relatively successful, it is still a challenge to deal with many diverse African

Expert Opinion


Expert Opinion

nations collectively in one forum. Unfortunately, the current IAF Summit which was scheduled for 2014 had to be postponed till 2015 due to the Ebola crisis in West Africa.

India should consider building stronger ties with African nations through regional engagement. Like China, India is also an emerging donor country from the South. However, unlike China, India treats the African nations as an equal partner. It would be easier for India to deliver on its commitments on technology transfer, skil l development and job creation with African regions separately. India can also enhance this connection culturally with the help of the Indian diaspora, especially with those who relate more to their Indian roots, and create an awareness regarding India's contribution and investments in the different regions.

There has been some muted criticism of India’s Africa policy. It has been noted that the Indian missions in Africa are not sufficient in number and this may be a hurdle in enhancing relations with the continent. At the same time there are problems from the African side too. In terms of India’s development assistance to the region, the mechanism of identifying projects is very bureaucratic which results in delay. Hence, a mechanism has to be discovered so that aid reaches efficiently. There is also a lack of academic collaboration between India and Africa. Indian tertiary level of education is well established and should offer more opportunities to African students to come and study and contribute in generating knowledge about the African subcontinent and also equally learn about India. This knowledge generation will help strengthen the ties between India and Africa.

The meeting ended with following recommendations:

• India should only offer helpto the African nations which it can fulfill. Raising the expectations of the African communities and then not delivering on it would send the wrong message.

• As the Africans are nowbecoming more independent and are capable of solving their own affairs, they will value India's aid and contributions if it seems beneficial to them.

• Engagementatabilaterallevelis more effective for enhancing India-African relations.

• India should not follow thepredatory policies of China and treat the African nations as equal partners.

(This report was prepared by Ms. Kuhoo Saxena, Research Intern, Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA).


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