Untitled Document
Ambassador’s Remarks on the occasion of ITEC Day-2023
(17 October 2023, 1300 hrs)
Quaestor and Chairperson of India-Madagascar Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Madagascar H.E. Mrs. Lanto Rakotomanga,
Secretary General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Honorable Members of National Assembly,
Secretary General of ITEC Alumni Association,
Dear Alumni of ITEC and ICCR,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaste, Miarahaaba Tompoko. Warm greetings to you all on the occasion of ITEC Day-2023.
2. You might be aware that the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) launched in September 1964, is the flagship programme of the Ministry of External Affairs of India for development partnership and capacity building. Over the past 59 years, about 200,000 officials from more than 160 countries underwent training in India in both civilian and defence fields. More than 100 premier institutes of India have been offering about 400 training programs in such fields as Agriculture, Banking, Education, English language, Health, Information Technology, and Renewable Energy etc. ITEC is an excellent example of South-South cooperation since it is entirely demand driven and as per the requirements of the partner countries, without any conditionalities. ITEC is also a symbol India’s ancient philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which sees the world as one family. It is heartening to note that about 900 officials and more than 100 students from Madagascar underwent training in India, over the past 15 years. This year, more than 100 slots under ITEC and about 30 ICCR scholarships were allotted for the professionals and students from Madagascar.
3. As you know, this year marks the 76th anniversary of India’s Independence. India achieved a remarkable developmental progress over these years to become the world’s 5th largest economy and its fastest-growing major economy. India has the fourth largest installed capacity of renewable energy and is home to the world’s third largest start-up eco-system. India has emerged as a leader in digital payments, accounting for nearly half of the global real-time digital payment transactions last year. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India administered 2.2 bn doses of vaccine to its nationals and also exported 300 mn doses to more than 100 countries across the world. In August this year, India became the world’s fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first country to land near Moon’s South Pole. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has set itself an ambitious goal to become a developed nation by 2047, i.e the 100th anniversary of India’s independence.
4. India sees Madagascar not as a distant country but as a close neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region, with which we share centuries-old cultural and historical linkages. The people of Indian origin, who had arrived in Madagascar more than 150 years ago, form an organic link between our two countries. India desires to see the emergence of Madagascar as a thriving nation and stands ready to share to its developmental expertise and experience, as per the needs and requirements of Madagascar, without any ulterior motive. In conclusion, I would like to invite the professionals and students of Madagascar to take advantage of various trainings in premier institutes of India under ITEC Programme and ICCR scholarships. I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of ITEC Alumni Association of Madagascar towards stronger India-Madagascar partnership and reaffirm Embassy’s support for their efforts. Once again, warm greetings on the occasion of ITEC Day-2023. Long Live India-Madagascar Friendship! Misaotra Tompoko!
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