Excellency, (Chief Guest),
(Names of guest Ministers)
Excellencies Ambassadors and the Head of the International Organisations
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Government
Dear members of the diplomatic corps
Honorable guests,
I would like to welcome you on this auspicious occasion of the 75th Independence Day of India. India attained her Independence on 15 August 1947.
This year, the Government of India has launched an initiative: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements. The Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in it’s evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It is an embodiment of all that is progressive about India’s socio-cultural, political and economic identity. AKAM means elixir of energy of independence. It means elixir of inspirations of the warriors of freedom struggle; elixir of new ideas and pledges and nectar of Atmanirbharta.
We remember the supreme sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in making India independent as well as the efforts by Indians in different walks of life towards making India a country of international stature, as it is today. India has come a long way in its life as an independent nation. I take immense proud in telling you that
· More than 520 million vaccines have been administered in India till now in the fight against #COVID19 under the world’s largest vaccination drive. Under vaccine Maitri India provided vaccines to 71 countries till March 2021.
· The much-awaited sea trials of India’s first indigenous aircarrier (IAC) kicked off on 4 August 2021. It will be reincarnated as INS Vikrant once it is commissioned in August next year.
· Recently, India achieved the milestone of 100 GW of installed renewable energy capacity in its journey towards the target of 450 GW by 2030. It is 136 GW of renewable energy if we include power generated from hydropower, making it 38 % of total installed capacity of 387 GW at the moment.
We are proud of our Constitution and democratic traditions. India, the largest democracy in the world, is moving ahead by strengthening democracy. India’s achievements are giving hope to the entire humanity. The examples of Vaccine Maitri in the testing times of COVID19 pandemic highlights that India believes in the philosophy of Vasudheva Kutumbhkam :world is one family. The development journey of India is filled with AatmaNirbharta and is going to give momentum to the development journey of the whole world.
Today as a part of our celebrations, we are indeed focusing on the deep link between the Indian state of Gujarat and Madagascar. Our maritime links with Madagascar dates to ancient times. In the late 18th century the first group of Indians mainly from the State of Gujarat landed on the western shores of Madagascar (port of Mahajunga). By 1950, the community had spread to practically every nook and corner of the country. Today, the Indian Community has come a long way in creating a niche for itself in different regions of Madagascar. It not only plays a crucial role economically, but also enriches Madagascar’s cultural and social diversity.
Our diplomatic relations started in 1954 when Indian opened a consulate in Madagascar which was turned into an Embassy after the Independence of Madagascar in 1960.
India and Madagascar have cordial and friendly bilateral relations. We have several ongoing cooperation programs which are beneficial for the people of Madagascar in the critical areas of agriculture, health, education, energy, security among others. Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Madagascar in 2018.
India has always stood with Madagascar in its hour of need. Distribution of humanitarian relief assistance to the flood-affected population in the North of Madagascar under Operation Vanilla by INS Airavat (January- February 2020), donation of 600 tonnes of rice to the Government of Madagascar through INS Shardul (March 2020), visit of INS Kesari for supply of essential medicines in Madagascar’s fight against COVID-19 in May 2020, the much recent visit of INS Jalashwa to deliver the donation of 1000 MT of rice and 100,000 tablets of Hydroxychloroquine in March 2021 are some examples.
Madagascar is one of the few countries which have received the radio therapy machine Bhabatron-II from India. The machine was donated in accordance with the announcements made during visit of Hon’ble President of India in March 2018 and was inaugurated by the President of Madagascar H.E. Andry Rajoelina on 26 February 2021.
H.E.Major General Léon Jean Richard RAKOTONIRINA, Minister of National Defence, Republic of Madagascar has visited India twice in last two years. First in February 2020 to participate in the DefExpo-2020 and India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave and then in February 2021 to participate in the Aero India 2021 and IOR Defence Ministers Conclave 2021.
A 5-member Indian Navy Mobile Training Team concluded its 15-days training session in March 2021 at Antsiranana with 50 trainees from the Malagasy special forces. Indian Naval ship Shardul and Malagasy Naval Ship Trozona together undertook the first ever Joint Patrolling in Madagascar’s EEZ on 24 March 2021.
India remains favoured destination for higher education among Malagasy students. India has been offering a number of ITEC/ICCR scholarships to Malagasy students and contributing towards capacity building. India had offered 23 scholarships for Malagasy students to pursue their studies in various universities and institutes in India for the academic year 2020-2021 through ICCR. This is more than double the number of ICCR scholarships offered in 2019-2020 and an all time high in the number of scholarships offered to Madagascar annually since 2014. This year, ITEC Defense course have continued in the physical mode and Malagasy officers have been trained in Indian Army and Navy Institutes. 20 scholarships have been allotted to Malagasy students under ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Africa Scholarship Scheme in 2021-2022 to pursue their study in reputed Indian University and Institutes. MoU on promoting tele-education and tele-medicine in Madagascar is also under active consideration.
` Gratis business and employment visa is available for Malagasy citizens. e-medical visa facility is also available for Malagasy nationals within 72 hours of application.
Madagascar is blessed with unique flora and fauna and Malagasy people are warm and friendly. India and Madagascar, connected by the Indian Ocean, have deep links with each other, being part of the same Gondwanaland millions years ago, sharing Sanskrit words such as Janahary and Vary and long standing trading ties. I am delighted to mention that trade links are strengthening between India and Madagascar with trade figures of USD 404.36 million for the year 2020-2021. Madagascar is a beneficiary of India’s Duty Free Preferential Tariff Scheme. Under the scheme, import of most Malagasy products by India attracts zero duties. We are working towards increasing the trade figures further to the tune of $1b with major focus on rice and pharmaceuticals.
The request of the Government of Madagascar for a Line of Credit of USD 140 million for the development projects in Bekapila plains is under active consideration of the Government of India
India and Madagascar are both members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and India is an observer at the Indian Ocean Commission. Under the policy of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), India remains committed to extending all possible support to Madagascar in dealing with all challenges and is working closely with the Government and people of Madagascar towards realising President Andry Rajoelina’s vision of rapid emergence of Madagascar.
Excellency, Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for your presence here today and request you to kindly join us for witnessing the exhibition and enjoy Indian refreshments.
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