About Us Bilateral Exchanges with Madagascar

Embassy of India
Antananarivo

India-Madagascar Unclassified Bilateral Brief

Madagascar is the largest and most populous island in the Indian Ocean, located in the South Western Indian Ocean.

2. India’s links with Madagascar date back to 18th century. The 19th an 20th Century witnessed steady increase in the number of people arriving in Madagascar from India. About 17,500 persons of Indian origin, mostly from Gujarat, currently live in Madagascar. India opened a Consulate General in Antananarivo in 1954 which was upgraded to an Embassy after Madagascar gained independence in 1960. The then President of Madagascar Mr. Didier Ratsiraka visited India in 1980 and 1983.

3. The then President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind paid a historic visit to Madagascar on 14-15 March 2018. This was the first ever VVIP visit from India to Madagascar. During the visit, he met the President of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina, addressed the students at the University of Antananarivo and inaugurated a CGARD center (Center for Geo Applications in the Area of Rural Development) that was set up by Indian assistance. Two agreements for cooperation in Defence and Air Services were signed. 

4.  The then Foreign Minister of Madagascar Mr. Richard Randriamandrato visited India to participate in the 7th edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi from 25-27 April 2022.During the visit, he called on Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and also met EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar. The meeting focused on taking forward the development partnership.

5. President of the Republic of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Andry Rajoelina participated in the Inaugural Session of the 4th International Conference of CDRI on 4 May 2022 through a video message. President of the Republic of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Andry Rajoelina sent a video message for the launch of “Mission LiFE” by PM Shri Narendra Modi & UNSG Antonio Guterres on 20 October 2022.  

6. Minister of National Defence of Madagascar, Mr. Rakotonirina Léon Jean Richard led a 3-member delegation to the DefExpo 2022 and India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave in October 2022. During the visit, he held a bilateral meeting with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and discussed steps to further defence cooperation between the two countries.

7. H.E. Ms. Vina Marie-Orlea, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar took part in the 'Environment Ministers' Session" of the Voice of Global South Summit held in the virtual format on 12 January 2023. 

8. Mr. Naina Andriantsitohaina, the Mayor of Antananarivo visited India as an ICCR Distinguished Visitor from 7-15 November 2021. During the visit, he met Hon’ble Mayor of Mumbai City, Smt Kishori Pednekar.

9. An agreement was signed between India and Madagascar on 13 September 2022 on the exemption of visa for the holders of diplomatic and service/official passports between India and Madagascar, which entered into force on 1 June 2023. An MOU was signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, Ministry of External Affairs, Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Madagascar on 12 September 2022 for training of diplomats between India and Madagascar.

10. Trade-Economic Cooperation

10.1 As a Least Developed Country, Madagascar benefits from India’s Duty-Free Preferential Tariff Scheme. Major products imported by India from Madagascar are cloves, black-eyed peas, vanilla, graphite, cocoa beans, and essential oils. Major products exported by India to Madagascar are rice, pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, wheat, ceramic tiles, diesel fuel, cane sugar etc. The bilateral trade figures for the last five years are as follows:

In millions and in US$


2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

India’s Export

301.73

324.22

351.26

      525.38

India’s Import

119.24

80.14

144.06

      129.49

Total Trade

420.97

404.36

495.31

      654.87

Source: DGFT

10.2 A webiar and virtual Business to Business meetings on opportunities in healthcare and pharmaceuticals was organized by the Embassy in collaboration with Pharmaceuticals Exports Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) on 14 December 2021.

10.3 A Tourism Promotion Event was organized by the Embassy on 28 February 2022.  The event was attended the Director General, Ministry of Tourism of Madagascar and travel agents working in Antananarivo and local citizens.

10.4 A Trade Promotion Event was organized by the Embassy on 24 March 2022 that saw the launch of India-Madagascar Chamber of Commerce in Antananarivo.

10.5 Indian investments: The major Indian investments by Indian companies were in the mining, oil and gas sectors, telecom sector and health sectors. Airtel is the main player in mobile telephony and Dr. Aggarwal's Eye Hospital in the health sector. Tirupati Carbons & Chemicals (P) Ltd has set up a Graphite processing facility in Brickaville. M/s.Tata Sons Ltd have also made minor investment in mining sector through its International subsidiary Mpumalanga Mining Resources SA.

11. Cooperation in Multilateral Fora: Madagascar has been supporting India in the elections to UN and other multinational fora. On UNSC reforms, it follows the African Union line. Madagascar supported India’s UNSC non-permanent seat (2021-2022) and also conveyed support for our candidature for 2028-29. Madagascar invited India to take part as observer in the Extraordinary summit of IOC held inn virtual format in December 2022 under its chairmanship. Madagascar signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement in November 2016 and ratified the instrument in February 2018. Madagascar became the 30th country to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in April 2022.

12. Defence

12.1 A bilateral defence cooperation MOU was signed during the visit of President of India to Madagascar in March 2018. The first ever India-Madagascar joint-patrolling of the Malagasy Exclusive Economic Zone and PASSEX were undertaken by INS Shardul and Malagasy Naval Ship “Trozona” in March 2021 at the port of Antsiranana. 

12.2 A 2-member Indian Navy delegation from the visited the Marine Fusilier Training Centre in Diego Suarez, Antsiranana in December, 2019 to conduct special training for Malagasy commandos. A 5-member Indian Navy Mobile Training Team (INMTT) imparted 14-days training to 50 officers from the Malagasy special forces in March 2021. Another 5-member INMTT visited Madagascar in October 2022 to impart 14-days training to the Malagasy Special Forces. Indian Naval Ship Tir and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi made a port call to Antsiranana in March 2023. INS Trishul visited Toamasina in June 2023 coinciding with the celebrations of International Day of Yoga in Madagascar. 

12.3  Indian Naval Ship visits:

Yea

Indian Naval Ship (Port)

2006

INS “Mumbai” (Toamasina)

2007

ICGS “Samar” – (Diego Suarez)

2008

INS “Talwar” – (Diego Suarez)

2014

INS “Mumbai”, INS “Talwar”, INS “Teg” and INS “Deepak” – (Antsiranana) 

2016

ICGS “Samarth” – (Antsiranana)

2018

INS “Trikand” and INS “Mumbai” – (Antsiranana)

INS “Tarkash” and INS “Kolkata” - (Toamasina)

2019

INS “Tir”, INS “Shardul”, INS “Sujata” and ICGS “Sarathi” – (Antsiranana) and ICGS “Vikram” – (Toamasina)

2020

INS “Airavat” –(Antsiranana), INS Shardul (Antsiranana) and INS Kesari (Antsiranana)

2021

INS Jalashwa (Antsiranana), INS Jalashwa (Ehoala) and INS Shardul (Antsiranana)

2022

INS Suvarna (Antsiranana) and INS Tarkash (Antsiranana)

2023

INS Tir, ICGS Sarathi (Antsiranana) and INS Trishul (Toamasina)

12.4 Visits of Defence Officials:

  1. Two officers of the Malagasy Navy took part in the Goa Maritime Symposium from 30 October – 01 November 2022.

  2. Leiutenant Rakoto Herivelo Tino of Malagasy Navy participated in the 10th SAREX (Search and Rescue Exercise) organised by Indian Coast Guard from 26-28 August 2022 in Chennai.

  3. RAdm GA JacquyHonore, Chief of Malagasy Navy visited India to take part in the Goa Maritime Conclave from 7-9 November 2021.  

  4. Two senior Malagasy Naval officers participated in the online video conference of Goa Maritime Symposium from 11-13 May 2021.

  5. Minister of National Defence of Madagascar, Mr.Rakotonirina Léon Jean Richard led a 4-member delegation to participate in the Aero India 2021 and IOR Defence Ministers Conclave at Yelahanka, Bengaluru in February, 2021. During the visit, the Malagasy Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with Raksha Mantri and discussed steps to further defence cooperation between the two countries.

  6. Minister of National Defence of Madagascar, Mr. Rakotonirina Léon Jean Richard took part in the DefExpo-2020 and first India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave held in Lucknow in February, 2020.  This was the first ever visit by a Malagasy Defence Minister to India from Madagascar.  During the visit, he held a bilateral meeting with Raksha Mantri.

  7. Mr. Vaohavy Andriambelonarivo Andasy, Chief of Navy of Madagascar visited India in June, 2019 to take part in the Maritime Symposium at Information Fusion Centre, Gurgaon, and had a meeting with his Indian counterpart.

13. Developmental Partnership

13.1 As announced by the Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji on his visit to Madagascar in March 2018, 100000 NCERT books in the subjects of English, Math and Science were donated to Malagasy schools in January 2020. A “street library” was inaugurated outside the Embassy in January 2021 by the Minister of Communication and Culture. India donated computers and other equipment to the University of Tulear in April 2018. 50 computers were donated to the largest high school in Madagascar—Lycee Moderne, Ampefiloha in April 2022. The MoU for Participation in the e-VBAB Network Project was signed between India and Madagascar on 12 July 2022. 15000 bicycles to school children and teachers of Madagascar were donated by India in August 2022 in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Madagascar. As part of South-South Cooperation, India's focus has been on capacity building, including training in highly skilled/technical fields which has been widely appreciated by the local population.  As on date, total slots availed by Madagascar are:

  1. ICCR: 111

  2. ITEC-Civilian: 898

  3. ITEC-Defence: 31

  4. IAFS III: 89

  5. Ilearn portal: 13

13.2 Government of India had extended a concessional Line of Credit of US$ 25 million to Madagascar for raising productivity of rice and setting up of fertilizer plants in 2008 under which 425 tractors and equipment & machinery were supplied. An agreement for establishment of CGARD Centre was signed between India and Madagascar in 2016 for a period of three years. A Centre for Geo-informatics Applications in Rural Development (CGARD) was jointly inaugurated by Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji and the Malagasy President in March 2018. Now, the Centre continues to function under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Madagascar. 10 diplomats from Madagascar participated in the 1st Special Course for diplomats of the Indian Ocean Region at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service from 20 September - 1 October 2021. India offers a number of scholarships to Madagascar under its developmental partnership. One diplomat from Madagascar attended the 69th Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) from 03-28 October 2022 at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS). 10 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar are currently undergoing a special English language training at EFLU, Hyderabad under ITEC programme. 

13.3 Humanitarian Assistance:

Year

Assistance by GOI to Madagascar

2013

GOI gave a cash assistance of US$100,000/- as disaster relief during tropical cyclone ‘Haruna’.

2015

GOI gave a cash relief assistance of US$200,000/- for the victims of cyclone Chedza.

2018

  1. A cash grant of US$ 2 million was handed over to the BNGRC (Natural Disaster Management Agency of Madagascar). 

  2. GOI gave a donation of 1000 Metric Tonnes of Rice and consignment of approximately 100 tonnes of medicines for the drought victims of Southern Madagascar, ENAWO cyclone and Plague epidemic. 

2020

  1. GOI donated 600 tonnes of rice in March 2020 for help in dealing with the situation arisen due to the heavy floods in the Northern region of Madagascar.

  2. Donation of a consignment of medicines in May 2020 meant for treatment of Covid-19 as per the request received from the Malagasy side.

2021

  1. The cancer treatment radio therapy machine Bhabhatron-II given to Madagascar was installed in the HJRA hospital in Antananarivo. 


  1. GOI donated 1000 MT of rice and 100,000 tablets of Hydroxychloroquine to Madagascar in March 2021 due to severe drought and famine situation in South Madagascar.

2022

The Mission set up a computer lab by donating 50 computers to the largest high school in Madagascar—Lycee Moderne, Ampefiloha on 12 April 2022. 

2022

GOI donated 15000 bicycles to school children and teachers of Madagascar on 15 August 2022. 

2022

GOI donated 5000 metric tonnes of rice to help Madagascar in dealing with the drought situation in the South.

14. Culture

14.1 A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation and collaboration in broadcasting was signed in May 2022 between the Office de la Radio et de la Télévision Malagasy (ORTM) and Prasar Bharati, the Indian public radio and television company. In 2022, the Malagasy translation of Bhagavad Gita was provided to our representative in UNESCO. A street in the city centre is named after Mahatma Gandhi and a road connecting the town hall with the Embassy is named after Indira Gandhi. Malagasy people are familiar with Indian culture thanks to the presence of vibrant PIO community here. Indian TV channels are included in the cable TV package by the local cable operators. ICCR-sponsored Contemporary Indian Dance groups visited Madagascar in August 2018 and October 2019 and held performances in Antananarivo. A Teacher of Indian Culture has been deployed under ICCR for promotion of Yoga in Madagascar. From June 2022, the Embassy started free Yoga and Hindi classes at its premises at Tsaralalana, Antananarivo. 58th ITEC Day was celebrated by the Embassy of India Antananarivo on 29 September 2022. The Embassy organized two musical concerts with renowned Indian violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam and singer Kavita Krishnamurti on 24 and 25 June 2022 in Madagascar. A 13-member delegation from Madagascar participated in the Surajkund Mela from 1-16 February, 2020 in India.150 solar lamps were donated by the Government of India for high school students of Lycee Jean Joseph RABEARIVELO and promotion of import of renewable energy from India to Madagascar in February 2020. 20 artists from Madagascar participated in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana from 3-18 February 2023.

14.2 Festival of India in Madagascar: The first ever Festival of India in Madagascar (sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sangeet Natak Academy and ITDC) was organized in Antananarivo in 2015. 

14.3 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: The Embassy of India Antananarivo organized a special unveiling ceremony of the plaque of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” in the Embassy premises on 10 March 2022. A Green Triangle named after Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo by Hon’ble Mayor of Antananarivo Mr. Naina Andriantsitohaina, and Ambassador on 16 March 2022. A Center for Indian Diaspora in Madagascar titled ‘Indian Dhow’ was inaugurated on 29 July 2022 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar H. E. Richard Randriamandrato. A State Promotion Event for Manipur was organized by the Mission. A Manipuri dance group from Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy performed in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The 7th Ayurveda Day was celebrated at the Embassy of India Antananarivo on 28 October 2022 with the theme: “Ayurveda Every day- Ayurveda Everywhere”. A special presentation on important aspects of Ayurveda was made by Dr. Yogendra Singh, Yoga Teacher at the Embassy. A special exhibition of Ayurvedic products was also organized during the event.

14.4.  As part of the celebrations of International Year of Millet the Embassy organized the live streaming “Global Millet’s Conference” on 18 March 2023 for the members of Indian Community in Madagascar. Embassy also organized a special event to celebrate the International Year of Millet on 20 July 2023, which was attended by the Ministers of Agriculture and Public Health of Madagascar and the Deputy Representative of FAO in Madagascar. Embassy, in association with the University of Antananarivo organized another event to promote millets on 26 July 2023. 

15. Indian Community: There are about 17,500 persons of Indian origin in Madagascar including approximately 2500 NRIs holding Indian passports. Most of them are in trading but some of them are also in the manufacturing and other businesses. The role played by the Indian community and diaspora in economic development of Madagascar is appreciated at all levels. Some of the Indian Diaspora are quite influential and their contribution to the total GDP of Madagascar is substantial. The Indian Diaspora has been playing a significant role in preserving and promoting Indian culture and traditional values in Madagascar. A grand Hindu Temple was inaugurated in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar in July 2022.

ANNEXURE 1

VISITS FROM INDIA

Sl. No.

Name of the Visitor

Date of visit

Purpose

1.

Shri Hari Kishore Singh,

Minister of State for External Affairs

1990

Bilateral

2.

Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar

 Minister of State for Finance

Oct 2016

Bilateral

3.

Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Hon’ble President of India

March 2018

State visit

VISITS FROM MADAGASCAR


Sl.  No.

Name of the Visitor

Date of visit

Purpose

1.

Mr. Didier Ratsiraka, President

1980

Bilateral

2.

Mr. Didier Ratsiraka, President

1983

To participate in NAM Summit

3.

Mr. Lila Hanitra Ratsifandrihamanana,

Foreign Minister

2001

Bilateral

4.

Mr. Marcel Ranjeva, Foreign Minister

2005

Bilateral discussions

5.

Mr. Pierrot J. Rajaonarivelo,

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Nov 2012

To participate in the IOR-ARC Ministerial Meeting. Also met MoC Mrs. D. Purandeshwari

6.

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina

Oct 2015

Led a 17-member delegation to New Delhi to participate in the 3rd IAFS. The delegation, among others included, Spouse of the President, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Industry and Private Sector Development. President and Foreign Minister had bilateral meetings with both PM and EAM where subjects of mutual interests were discussed.

7.

Vaohavy Andriambelonarivo Andasy, Navy Chief of Madagascar visited India

June 2019

To take part in the Maritime Symposium at Regional Maritime Fusion Centre, Gurgaon, and had discussions with Indian Navy Chief.

8.

H.E. Lt. General Léon Jean Richard Rakotonirina
Minister of National Defence
Republic of Madagascar and delegation

Feb 2020

To participate in the DefExpo-2020 and India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave

9.

A 4-member delegation led by H.E. Lt. General Léon Jean Richard Rakotonirina, Minister of National Defence, Republic of Madagascar

Feb 2021

To participate in the Aero India 2021 and IOR Defence Ministers Conclave at Yelahanka, Bengaluru

10.

RAdm GA Jacquy Honore, Chief of Malagasy Navy

Nov 2021

To participate in the Goa Maritime Conclave 

11.

H.E. Mr. Naina Andriantsitohaina, Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo

Nov 2021

To participate under the “Distinguished Visitor Programme” of ICCR

12.

Hon'ble Foreign Minister of Madagascar H.E. Richard Randriamandrato

April 2022

To participate in the 7th edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

13. 

A 4-member delegation led by H.E. Lt. General Léon Jean Richard Rakotonirina, Minister of National Defence, Republic of Madagascar

Oct 2022

To participate in DefExpo 2022 and IADD in Gandhi Nagar Gujarat.

14.

Secretary General of Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons Mrs. Razanajatovo Tianalisoa Lauriana

Feb 2023

To participate in the India Energy Week – 2023 in Bengaluru.

15.

Secretary General of Ministry of Digital Transformation Mr. Andry Rasoanaivo

June 2023

To participate in Global Digital Public Infrastructure Summit in Pune. 

August 2023

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