India – Madagascar Relations
India has had maritime links with Madagascar for several centuries and visits to Madagascar and settlements of Indian merchants in Madagascar date at least to the late eighteenth century. The late nineteenth century and early years of the twentieth century witnessed a steady increase in the number of persons from India in Madagascar and persons of Indian origin began to play a significant role in business. India opened a Consulate General in Antananarivo in 1954 making 2014, the diamond jubilee year of diplomatic ties between India and Madagascar. Upon Madagascar gaining independence in 1960, the Consulate General was upgraded to an Embassy.
India and Madagascar enjoy cordial bilateral relations. Madagascar has supported India’s candidatures in various UN and other international bodies. While no high level visits between India and Madagascar have taken place following the political crisis in 2009, visits from Madagascar to India at various official levels are taking place at periodic intervals
A list of high-level bilateral visits that have taken place so far is as follows:
Visits from Madagascar
| Sl. No | Name of the Visitor | Date of visit | Purpose |
| 1 | Mr. Didier Ratsiraka, President | 1980 | Bilateral |
| 2 | Mr. Didier Ratsiraka, President | 1980 | To participate in NAM Summit |
| 3 | Malagasy Parliamentary delegation | 2000 | Bilateral |
| 4 | Mr. Lila Hanitra Ratsifandrihamanana, Foreign Minister | 2001 | Bilateral |
| 5 | Mr. Marcel Ranjeva, Foreign Minister | 2005 | Bilateral discussions |
| 6 | Chief of Staff to the President | Feb-06 | Bilateral |
| 7 | Mr. Marius Ratolojanahary, Minister for Agriculture | Jul-07 | Bilateral discussions on Agricultural matters |
| 8 | Mr. Ivohasina Razafimahefa, Minister for Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Marius Ratolojanahary, Minister for Agriculture | Mar-08 | To participate in CII organized India Africa Project Partnership Conclave |
| 9 | Mr. Marius Ratolojanahary, Minister for Agriculture | Nov-08 | To sign LOC Agreement with EXIM Bank |
| 10 | Mr. Pierrot J. Rajaonarivelo, Minister of Foreign Affairs | Nov-12 | To participate in the IOR-ARC Ministerial Meeting. Also met MoC |
| 11 | Shri P.A. Sangma Minister of State for Commerce | 1985 | Bilateral |
| 12 | Shri Hari Kishore Singh External Affairs Minister | 1990 | Bilateral |
A three member delegation led by Mr. Stelanony Hery Ainamalala, Chief of Staff to the Ministry of Agriculture with Mr. Ramboarivelo Andrianantenaina Jocelyn Willy, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Commerce, and Mr Ralijaona Jean Yves, Director General of Fuelstock Madagascar participated in the FICCI Africa AgriBusiness Forum from 4 to 6 February 2014. A two member defence delegation comprising Major General (Mr.) ANDRIAMAHARO Claris Rodolphe, Secretary General, Ministry of Armed Forces, Government of Madagascar, and Brigadier General (Mr.) RANDRIAMAHAVALISOA RAZAFINDRAMAITSO Girard, Chief of Staff, The Nationale Gendarmerie, Government of Madagascar attended the Defence Expo 2014 in Delhi from 6 to 9 February 2014 A Malagasy delegation led by the Secretary General of Ministry of Commerce, Irimanana Emilson Eninkaja and the Deputy Director in charge of Economy and Industry, Noroseheno Raharinjatovo participated in the 10th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership, which took place from 9 to 11 March, 2014 in New Delhi. Two young Parliamentarians from Madagascar, namely, Mrs. Voahanginiaina Raharimanarivo and Mrs. Naharimamy Lucien Imrah, participated in the Leaders of Future Programme from 8 to 16 March 2014 organized by the XP Division of the Ministry under the Leaders of Future Programme. Mr. Armel Pierre Voavy, Director of Transport, Maritime and Waterways, Government of Madagascar participated in the Indian Ocean Dialogue Track 1.5 event from 5-7 September 2014, at Kochi, Kerala organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Madame Oscar Irene, Director General, Promotion of Right and Social Equity, Madame Rakotomalala Mirana Robiarisoa, Director, Social Security of the Population, Ministry of Population, Social Protection and Women Promotion participated in Workshop on Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation 17-19 September 2014 in Hyderabad, organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
Ship Visits: The Indian Naval Ship (INS) “Mumbai” paid a four day goodwill visit to Port Toamasina from 9th to 12th September 2006. The Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS “Samar” visited Diego Suarez Port in August 2007. The INS “Talwar” visited Diego Suarez for four days from 24th to 28th August 2008. Four Indian Naval Ships, namely: INS Mumbai, INS Talwar, INS Teg and INS Deepak made a port call at Antsiranana, Madagascar from 9 to 12 October 2014.
Bilateral Developmental Cooperation:
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, which had enhanced India’s image in Madagascar. The Malagasy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Marius Ratolojanahary, signed an agreement in this regard in New Delhi in 2008 with EXIM Bank of India. The implementation of project was delayed due to political and economic situation in the country. After a new government headed by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina came to power in April 2014, an audit on the fertilizer equipment 3 was conducted. The consignment, which was lying unreleased at the Tamatave Port, got released by the Malagasy authorities and transported to six different locations within Madagascar. A 5-member Technical and Management Team from the supplier (Lucky Exports) visited Madagascar in December 2014 to assist the officials/technicians of the Malagasy Ministry of Agriculture, followed up by visits of its GM.
Centre for Geo-informatics Applications in Rural Development (CGARD): An expert from the National Institute of Rural Development, Government of India visited Madagascar from 17 to 22 March, 2015 to conduct a feasibility study for setting up of Centre for Geo-informatics Applications in Rural Development (CGARD) in Madagascar. The report has since been submitted by him to the Government of India.
Aid Assistance: The Government of India provided cash assistance of US$100,000/- to Madagascar as disaster relief for damages caused due to the tropical cyclone ‘Haruna’ in early 2013. In April 2015, a cash assistance of US$ 200,000/- (Ar.585,964,840/-) was provided to the victims of the Chedza cyclone.
Capacity Building Programme: As part of South-South Cooperation, India’s focus has been on capacity building including training in highly skilled/technical fields through courses which are offered under ITEC and India Africa Forum Summit Scholarships, which has been widely appreciated by the local population. Two defence slots have also been sanctioned under ITEC which are being utilized by both Malagasy army and navy personnel.
The utilization of the above scholarships are as per the detailed chart below:
In addition to the above, 2 Malagasy journalists participated in the training programme for Young Journalists from Africa during 13-27 September 2014 in New Delhi; organized by the XP Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Madagascar is a beneficiary of the Pan African e-network project, which has been extended till 2016. Tele-education facilities offered in collaboration with Imailaka University have benefitted 227 students since the start of the project. Tele-medicine facilities are also being offered in collaboration with a local clinic, the Institute Médicale de Madagascar (IMM) and free consultations and diagnosis are being given to the Malagasy patients since 4 2010 from top Hospitals in India. In all, 109 telemedicine consultations have been arranged since beginning of the project and twelve patients have undergone treatment in India using the tele-medicine facility of the project.
An Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Team visited Madagascar to conduct a -day workshop from February 24-28 2014 on Executive Management Programme for a targeted group in collaboration with the Malagasy Ministry of Trade and the Chamber of Commerce, EDBM (Economic Development Board of Madagascar) and ITBM (International Trade Board of Madagascar). According to the feedback received, the local private sector highly appreciated the first ever training programme organized by India and requested continuation of such trainings.
Economic and Commercial Relations with India :
Following the installation of popularly elected government and subsequent international recognition, the Indian companies are showing renewed interest in investing in Madagascar.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the International Trade Board of Madagascar (ITBM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 18th March 2014 in New Delhi to enhance economic relations.
A market survey on the Pharmaceutical, Agribusiness and Investment sectors to assess opportunities in both trade and investments for Indian companies was conducted by the Embassy and a report was published in March 2014. A Catalogue Show was also arranged in the same month where Indian companies who have already invested in Madagascar participated.A 21-member Pharmexil delegation visited Madagascar from 16-20 March and the Embassy organized an inaugural conference and B2B meetings which were very productive. The Pharmexil delegation called on the Secretaries General of Health and Trade and also on the Prime Minister.
The Mission organized a series of events to mark the diamond jubilee of diplomatic ties between India and Madagascar starting with a ‘Showcase India event’ on 15-16 February 2014 and an Indian Business Promotion event exhibition on 26 March 2014. The event on 26th March was organized in partnership with the Malagasy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Economic Development Board, the International Trade Board of Madagascar and the Malagasy-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was well received by both the invitees, participant businessmen and the visitors. Two Make in India events were also organized in October and November 2014. Apollo Hospitals group have signed a MoU with the Malagasy Ministry of Health in the month of May 2014. The MoU would allow the treatment of government sponsored and private patients in India at viable economic costs, train the accompanying Malagasy doctors in India and give follow up treatment to the patients in Madagascar once in three months.
An MoU between Zydex industries a Gujarat based Indian company and Ministry of Public Works, Government of Madagascar was signed for strengthening of road network with the usage of nanotechnology. A 7-member pharma delegation comprising health officials, hospital authorities, members of pharmaceutical companies and journalist from Madagascar participated in the International Expo for Pharmaceuticals and Health products from 21-23 May 2014, Mumbai, India. 5 Bilateral trade between India and Madagascar has been steadily growing till 2013-14, however, India’s export to Madagascar decreased in 2014-15. The bilateral trade figures for the last three years are as follows:
| 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| India’s exports | 123.63 | 154.52 | 238.74 | 167.19 |
| India’s imports | 82.75 | 72.88 | 52.84 | 95.29 |
The main items of exports from Madagascar to India are Coffee, Spices, Edible Vegetables, Salt, Sulphur & Earth, Essential Oils & Resinoids, Base Metals, Precious and Semi-precious Stones, etc.. The major imports from India are Cereals, Apparel Products, Iron & Steel, Cotton, Pharmaceutical Products, Products of the Milling Industry, Sugar and Sugar confectionery, etc.
Indian investments: The major Indian investments amounting to approximately $907.4 million [Source: UNCTAD Stats: 2011] 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. Other Indian companies which have invested in Madagascar but are yet to commence operations due to the crisis include the Tatas, Essar, Varun Industries, GIMPEX Osho Ventures, Sahara (India), Diamond Cement, Jindals, etc.
Cultural and Educational Relations :
While there had not been any significant exchange of cultural visits between the two countries in recent years, Malagasies are familiar with Indian culture thanks to vibrant PIO community. Indian TV channels are included in the cable TV package by local cable operators. Indian movies provided by the Embassy has also been telecast on National TV. The famous TV serial Kabhi Kabhi was telecast on National TV. The cultural programmes including film shows organized by the Embassy in association with local organizations have been well attended.
International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2015: The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 21 June 2015 in Antananarivo, Madagascar to coincide with worldwide celebrations of IYD. Over 500 persons from a cross section of Malagasy society which included local government dignitaries, members of diplomatic corps and Indian diaspora participated. The event was well received by the local member public. At Embassy’s initiative, an EdCIL delegation visited Madagascar from 5 to 11 June 2013 and organized workshops/seminars in collaboration with the Universities of Antananarivo and Majunga, which were well attended and it is expected that many students would look at India as a destination for higher education.
Fully paid scholarship is being provided to Malagasy nationals by the ICCR and the full quota has so far being utilised by the them, as can be seen in para 7 above. Selffinancing students are also studying in various educational institutes of India, particularly in Bangalore, Chennai, Goa and some places in Gujarat.
Indian Community/Diaspora:
There are about 22,000 persons of India origin in Madagascar, including approximately 2500 Indian passport holders. Most of them are in trading but some of them are also in the manufacturing sector and other businesses. In recent years a number of Indian professionals have been working in different companies including multi-national companies in Madagascar. The role played by the Indian community and diaspora in economic development of Madagascar is appreciated at all 6 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.
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India – Madagascar Relations
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