Embassy of India
Antananarivo
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Celebration of the 73rd Republic Day of India
Celebrations of the 73rd Republic Day of India in Antananarivo, Madagascar were marked by unfurling of the Indian National Flag by Ambassador Abhay Kumar which was attended by the Indian community in Madagascar. Ambassador also hosted a reception on the occasion of the 73rd
Republic Day of India, in which the Foreign Minister of Madagascar H. E. Patrick Rajoelina was the Chief Guest. The President of the Senate of Madagascar also attended the reception besides the Ambassadors and the Heads of International Organisations in Madagascar.
Speaking on the occasion of the reception hosted at the Embassy’s Residence, Ambassador Abhay Kumar expressed condolences on the loss of precious Malagasy lives due to devastating floods in Antananarivo last week and said:
“India and Madagascar have cordial and friendly bilateral relations since the time of Madagascar’s Independence in 1960. India and Madagascar have several ongoing cooperation programs ranging across humanitarian assistance, education, health and capacity building which have been beneficial to Malagasy people.”
The Chief Guest of the evening, the Foreign Minister of Madagascar H.E. Patrick Rajoelina said: “We congratulate India on its 73rd Republic Day and appreciate the strong India Malagasy bilateral relations. I also thank India for extending help to Madagascar. I join thirty second of silence for the victims of the bad weather in the regions of Madagascar initiated by the Ambassador and congratulate on behalf the President of Madagascar, Malagasy Government and people on India’s 73 rd Republic Day. In 73 years under this constitution of 1950, India has faced several internal and external challenges to serve as an example today as a democratic country with its 1.4 billion inhabitants, becoming a great regional power and emerging with its SAGAR (security and growth for all in the region) policy, India is moving towards maritime security and stability in the region thus marking its importance.
India has been a loyal friend and leading partner of Madagascar, since the opening of diplomatic relations upon Madagascar's independence in 1960.
In the face of the many challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fight against food insecurity, India has supported Madagascar through numerous donations of basic necessities as well as technical and logistical support, I reiterate on behalf of the Malagasy Government my sincere thanks and hope that such cooperation will continue to develop positively between the two countries.
Several areas of cooperation have been identified, notably in the IT sector, agriculture and rural development, and the trade and industrial sector.
I hope that this year 2022 will mark the consolidation of this cooperation for the two countries.
My personal thanks for the efforts made every day by the Ambassador in the India-Madagascar’ cooperation since his arrival in 2019.”
The celebrations also saw cultural performances by members of ITEC and ICCR alumni in Madagascar.
Congratulating India on the occasion, Madagascar’s Foreign Minister sent a congratulatory tweet - “My warmest congratulations to the people and Government of #India on the 73rd Republic Day. On this occasion, I wish India and her people continued peace, progress and prosperity. "
The External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar thanked his counterpart on Twitter and responded:
“Appreciate your kind greetings FM Patrick Rajoelina. Our cooperation is embedded in India’s SAGAR policy."
Special supplements were published in local media on the ocassion highlighting the crucial aspects of relationship between India and Madagascar.
