Embassy of India

Antananarivo, Madagascar

Ambassador’s Remarks on the occasion of ITEC Day-2024

(23 October 2024)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar H.E. Mrs. Rasata Rafaravavitafika,President of the Senate of Madagascar H.E. Mr. Richard Ravalomanana, 

Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts H.E. Mrs. Viviane Dewa,

Quaestor of the National Assembly H.E. Mrs. Andrianasolo Nadine,

Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 

Secretary General of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade,

Honorable Members of the National Assembly,

Distinguished Alumni of ITEC and ICCR scholarships,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaste, Salama, Good Afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to today’s celebrations of ITEC Day-2024.

2. ITEC- the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program- is the leading platform of the Ministry of External Affairs of India for capacity building of the officials in fellow developing countries. Since the inception of ITEC in 1964, more than 200,000 officials from 160 countries across the world had undergone professional training programs in India, in fields like Finance, Banking, Health, Education, Energy, Agriculture, English language, Information Technology etc. In the spirit of South-South cooperation, ITEC is without any pre-conditions and demand driven as it takes into account the priorities and needs of the partner countries. ITEC is thus a vivid reflection of India’s long history of knowledge sharing, in line with the ancient Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The whole world is one family).

3. I am glad to note that more than 1000 professionals and about 200 students from Madagascar had undergone training programs in India under ITEC and ICCR schorships are now contributing actively to the emergence of Madagascar as a thriving nation. You might be aware that India has more than 1100 universities and 43,000 colleges and is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for higher education for foreign students, including from Madagascar. The advantages offered by India include quality education at an affordable price, wide choice of academic courses, a rich and diverse cultural heritage as well as the traditional Indian hospitality. I take this opportunity to invite the young professionals and students of Madagascar to take advantage of various capacity building programs being sponsored by the Government of India.

4. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm that as a close neighbor and a fellow developing country in the Indian Ocean Region, India stands ready to share its developmental experience and expertise with Madagascar in such fields as maritime security, capacity building, digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, health etc, in line with Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). I would also like to thank the ITEC Alumni Association of Madagascar for its efforts to contribute towards a stronger India-Madagascar partnership. Once again, warm greetings to you all on the occasion of ITEC Day-2024. Long Live India-Madagascar Friendship! Misaotra Tompoko!

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