Ambassador’s Remarks at the Indian States Promotion Event
(Antsiranana, 19 December 2024)
Secretary General of Diana Region Mr. Pico Jacques,
President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Madagascar Mr. Laou-Po Wing Wilfrid,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaste, Salama, Good Afternoon. It is my pleasure to once again visit the beautiful city of Antsiranana and to take part in today’s special event for promotion of trade-economic cooperation between Indian States and the Diana Region of Madagascar.
2. You might be aware of the great economic transformation currently underway in India. Today, India is not only the world’s 5th largest economy but also the fastest growing major economy. India is home to the World’s 3rd largest start-up ecosystem and is the global leader in real-time digital payment transactions. The soft landing of “Chandrayan-3” spacecraft near the South Pole of the Moon and the placing of “Aditya-L1’ spacecraft into a halo orbit to observe the Sun, showcase India’s recent achievements in the field of space. India is also referred to as the “Pharmacy of the World”, meeting 60% of the global demand for vaccines and 20% of the demand for generic medicines. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minster H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, India has set itself an ambitious goal to become a developed country by 2047, i.e., the 100th anniversary of India’s independence.
3. I would like to briefly mention about the opportunities for trade-economic cooperation between Diana Region of Madagascar and the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Assam.
Andhra Pradesh, located on the South East Coast of India, has a 975 km long coast line and 15 sea ports. With an area of more than 160,000 sq km, population of about 50 million and a GDP of US$ 170 billion, it is one of the rapidly growing states of India. About 3.5 million mobile phones are manufactured every month in the Electronic Manufacturing Clusters of the State. Andhra Pradesh is also a leader in sectors like Agriculture, Information Technology, Renewable Energy, Chemicals, Textiles, etc.
Telangana, located in the South of India, is one of the youngest states in India, created in 2014. It has an area of more than 112,000 sq km, population of nearly 40 million and a GDP of US$ 180 billion. Telangana contributes more than 30% of India’s production of pharmaceuticals. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is a major hub for Information Technology, Life Sciences and Start-up companies. Telangana is also home to one of the largest deposits of coal, limestone, granite, etc. in India.
Madhya Pradesh, located in Central India, is the second largest state in India, with an area of more than 300,000 sq km. It has a population of 87 million and a GDP of more than US$ 160 billion. Madhya Pradesh is a leading producer of wheat, soybean, pulses, and cotton. The state is rich in minerals including diamonds, copper, coal, manganese etc.
Chhattisgarh, located in Central India, has an area of more than 135,000 sq km, a population of about 300 million and a GDP of US$ 60 billion. The state has a forest cover of more than 40% and is the leading producer of coal, iron ore and limestone. It is also one of the largest producers of steel, aluminum and cement.
Himachal Pradesh, located in Northern India is famous for its scenic landscapes and vibrant culture. It has an area of more than 55,600 sq km, population of about 7 million and a GDP of US$ 26 billion. As home to historical pilgrimage sites, the state attracts both domestic and foreign tourists. With its mountain rivers, the state has an immense potential for hydro power. It has also emerged as a hub for production of pharmaceuticals in India.
Assam, located in the North-East of India provides a vital link for India’s trade with the countries of South East Asia. The state has an area of more than 78,000 sq km, a population of about 36 million and a GDP of US$ 70 billion. Assam is one of the leading producers of petroleum and natural gas in India. It is the largest tea producing state in India and also famous for its production of silk. As a bio-diversity hotspot in India, Assam is also becoming a popular destination for wild-life tourism.
4. I would like to conclude by reaffirming that as a close neighbor and a fellow developing country in the Indian Ocean Region, India looks forward to further strengthening of its traditional ties of friendship with Madagascar. Embassy will work closely with the relevant agencies in the Diana region to promote stronger trade-economic cooperation between the States of India and Diana region. I take this opportunity to invite you all to the special Yoga event to be held in Antsiranana on 21 December 2024.Thank you once again for joining us in today’s event! Misaotra Tompoko.
