Embassy of India

Antananarivo, Madagascar

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 and 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, which 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. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Andry Rajoelina, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai on 14 February 2024. This was the first meeting between the two leaders. Both leaders recognized the long-standing friendly relations and close cooperation between the two countries.

5. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met the Foreign Minister of Madagascar H.E. Mrs. Rasata Rafaravavitafika on 9 February 2024 on the sidelines of the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth (Australia). President of Independent National Electoral Commission of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Dama Andrianarisedo Arsene led a 5 member delegation on a study tour to India organized by the Election Commission of India from 29-31 January 2024. Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA Shri Dammu Ravi represented the Government of India at the investiture ceremony of President of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Andry Rajoelina on 16 December 2023 in Antananarivo.

6. Interim President of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Richard Ravalomanana took part in the inaugural session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit held in virtual format under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 17 November 2023. The Minister of Economy and Finances of Madagascar Mrs. Rindra Rabarinirinarison attended the Finance Ministers’ Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit, held under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Economic Affairs), Ministry of Finance on 17 November 2023. 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.

7.  The then Foreign Minister of Madagascar Mr. Richard Randriamandrato visited India for 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 between the two countries. 

8. President of the Republic of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Andry Rajoelina participated in the Inaugural Session of the 4th International Conference of CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure) 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 & UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres on 20 October 2022.  

9. The then 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

Trade-Economic Cooperation

12. 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 US$ million

Source: DGFT

13. A Special Event on Trade-Economic Cooperation between India and Boeny Region, in Mahajanga on 15 May 2024 was organised by the Embassy and the Chamber of Commerce of Boeny Region. A special event to promote cooperation between Indian States and Madagascar was organised in Antananarivo on 29 February 2024 by the Embassy of India and Foreign Ministry of Madagascar. Embassy had also organised a State promotion event in Antsiranana (Diana Region) on 5 December 2023. 

14. A webinar 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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. A UK based company owned by an Indian national, M/s Tirupati Carbons & Chemicals  Ltd set up a Graphite processing facility in Brickaville. 

Cooperation in Multilateral Fora

18. 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 its support for India’s candidature for 2028-29. Madagascar has also conveyed its support for India’s candidate for the post of Secretary General of IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) for 2025-2027. Madagascar invited India to take part as observer in the extraordinary summit of IOC held in 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.

Developmental Partnership

19. An India-Madagascar Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects with India’s grant assistance for implementation of developmental projects in the areas of agriculture, energy, transport, health, education etc, was signed in Antananarivo on 11 September 2023.

20. Maj. Gen. Razafitombo Maminirina Ely, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Planning at the General Staff of the Armed Forces Madagascar attended ITEC Executive Programme held at the National Defence College in New Delhi from 18-30 March 2024.

21. Mrs. RANDRIANARY Fanomezantsoa Haritiana, Design Engineer, Infrastructure Directorate and Mrs. RAHARIVELO Arielle, Head of Control and Monitoring Department, Ministry of Public Works, Government of Madagascar attended ITEC Executive course entitled "Global Trends in Building Infrastructure for Development" at IIM Indore from 28 April – 11 May 2024.

22. Two journalists from Madagascar visited India (New Delhi and Hyderabad) from 9-16 December 2023 on a familiarisation trip organised by the XP Division for select African countries. 

23. As announced by the Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji during his visit to Madagascar in March 2018, 1 lakh NCERT books in the subjects of English, Maths 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:

i. ICCR:  139

ii. ITEC-Civilian:  943

iii. ITEC-Defence:  112

iv. IAFS III:  89

v. Ilearn portal: 13

24. 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). 20 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar underwent a special English language training at EFLU, Hyderabad under ITEC programme in 2023. SSIFS will be conducting first special course for 15 diplomats from Madagascar in New Delhi from 12-21 June 2024. 

25.  Government of India has financed the installation of solar panels on the building of National Assembly of Madagascar in March 2024.

Humanitarian Assistance

Culture

26. 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. 15 artists from Madagascar took part in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana from 2-18 February 2024. Yoga session in Ampefy, near the Itasy lake was held on 25 February 2024  which was attended by Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Mr. Joel Randriamandranto, Governor of Itasy Region. A curtain-raiser Yoga event was held in Mahajanga on 16 May 2024, in the run up to the 10th International Day of Yoga.

27. 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. 

28. 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. 8th Ayurveda Day with the theme " Ayurveda for Everyone on Everyday" were held at the Embassy of India in Antananarivo on 08 November 2023.

29.  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. 

30. 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 in July 2022.

ANNEXURE 1

VISITS FROM INDIA

VISITS FROM MADAGASCAR

July 2024

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