The Gulf, West Asia & North Africa

Gulf / Haj Division

Dating back to historical times, India’s ties with all countries of the Gulf are cordial, substantial and mutually beneficial. Given India’s geographical proximity, cultural affinity and economic complementarities with the Gulf countries, India’s multifaceted relations with the countries of this region have continued to flourish. While about 3.5 million Indians –workers and professionals – are engaged in the economic development of the Gulf countries, the region is also the primary source of India’s energy needs and one of India’s most important economic partners in the areas of trade, investments and joint ventures. With a view to continually strengthening and diversifying relations between India and the Gulf, interactions take place regularly, particularly through high-level visits. Important developments and events which took place in 1998-99 in India’s relations with the Gulf countries are summarised in the following paragraphs.

Bahrain

The warm, cordial and friendly relations between India and Bahrain received an impetus with the meeting of the joint Committee on Technical and Economic Cooperation in New Delhi, on 12-13 November, 1998, after a gap of nearly seven years. Noting that a vast potential existed for the expansion of the two-way trade, both sides agreed to find ways and means for stepping up bilateral trade not only in the existing fields, which included oil and other downstream products but also in the services sector such as off-shore banking and tourism. Both sides expressed keenness to enhance industrial and technical cooperation for setting up joint ventures in the small and medium-scale sectors, as well as cooperation in fields of health, education, agriculture, youth & sports and information and culture. They also agreed to expedite finalisation of the pending bilateral Agreements.

Secretary (East) and Joint Secretary (Gulf) visited Bahrain in June 1998 to explain India’s position on the nuclear tests. Bahrain Ispat Limited Company, a joint venture with a large Indian steel company, made considerable progress in setting up a us $ 290 million sponge-iron project in Bahrain. Prime Minister sent an invitation to the Bahraini Prime Minister to visit India.

Iraq

India’s relations with Iraq, which have traditionally been close, received a boost with the revival of the India-Iraq joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation. A 7 member Iraqi delegation, led by H.E. Mr Amir Mohammed Rashid, Minister of Oil, visited New Delhi for joint Commission Meeting from 31 August to 2 September, 1998. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of oil and a Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 1998-2001 were signed between the two countries during the visit. Several areas of cooperation in the hydro-carbon and oil related sectors were identified. Indian companies offered bids for the exploration and development of Iraqi oil fields. As part of the Cultural Exchange Programme, both sides agreed to exchange visits of researchers, professors and academicians, sports and cultural troupes, journalists, etc.

India continued to reiterate its position calling for compliance by Iraq with the UN Security Council Resolutions on Iraq while reiterating that use of force against Iraq would serve no useful purpose but would only aggravate the sufferings of the Iraqi people. The appointment of the Indian diplomat Shri Prakash Shah, as Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, was welcomed by Iraq. The Indian Ambassador in Iraq Presented life-saving drugs to the Iraqi Ministry of Health and 700 scientific text-books to the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as also five container loads of educational material, including geometry boxes, school bags, calculators, and exercise books for use of the children of Iraq.

Dr Sadoun Hamadi, special envoy of the President of Iraq, visited India from 25-29 May, 1998. He called on the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Speaker (Lok Sabha). An 11 member Parliamentary delegation, led by the Hon’ble Speaker, Shri G M C Balyogi, visited Iraq from 20-26 August, 1998. The Speaker called on President Saddam Husein. Shri Som Pal, Minister of State for Agriculture visited Iraq from 8-10 October, 1998; he called on the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Industries. A 2 member delegation from the ONGC (Videsh) Ltd. visited Baghdad to hold technical discussions with the Ministry of Oil regarding their offer for exploring Iraqi oil fields in the western desert of Iraq. Twenty four Indian organisations participated in the Baghdad International Fair held in Baghdad from 1 to 10 November 1998. The Indian pavilion was awarded the extra-ordinary gold medal. A 20 member Iraqi Football Team also visited India to participate in the Rajiv Gandhi Football Cup Tournament.

Kuwait

Friendly relations with Kuwait were strengthened by high-level visits which included a Parliamentary delegation, led by H E Mr Talal Mubarak Al-Ayyar, the Deputy Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, to New Delhi from 27 September to 1 October, 1998, on the first leg of its visit to some Asian countries. The delegation called on the President. Secretary (East) and joint Secretary (Gulf) visited Kuwait on 10-11 June, 1998, and had detailed discussions with the Kuwaiti Foreign Secretary H E Mr Sulaiman Majid Al-Shaheen; they also met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Mr Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, and explained India’s position on the nuclear tests to the Kuwaiti leader. Two Indian naval ships paid a goodwill visit to Kuwait on 1-4 June, 1998. Following Government of India’s approval to the setting up of the Orissa Oil Refinery, an Indo-Kuwait joint venture, Indian Oil Corporation opened a Representative office in Kuwait in June. Smt Sonia Gandhi, Congress Party President, visited Kuwait on 29 August, 1998 and had separate meetings with the Amir and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kuwait. Prime Minister issued an invitation to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to visit India.

Oman

Since the visit of the former President Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma to Oman in October 1996 and that of H. M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said to India in April 1997, relations between India and Oman have scaled new heights. The Prime Minister, Shri A B Vajpayee, accompanied by a high-level delegation which included Shri K Ramamurthy, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Shri S S Barnala, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers, visited Salalah on 29-30 August, 1998. The Prime Minister and Sultan Qaboos had substantial discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues, and committed the two countries to promote ties in political and economic fields. The Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr Maqbool Bin Ali bin Sultan, visited India from 30 April to 2 May, 1998 in connection with "Oman week", which was inaugurated by the Vice President on 1 May, 1998. Mr Maqbool Sultan also met the Petroleum, Industry and Fertiliser Ministers and Minister of State for External Affairs. He addressed Indian business leaders under the auspices of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Secretary (East) and joint Secretary (Gulf) visited Oman on 31 May to 2 June, 1998. They called on the Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs as well as Minister of National Economy to brief them on India’s nuclear tests. In June 1998. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) commissioned a 30-MW Gas turbine-based power plant turnkey project at a cost of Rs. 560 million. A flotilla of three naval ships paid a goodwill visit to Oman from 30 May to 4 June, 1998 and undertook joint exercises with the Royal Oman Navy. The formalities for setting up two multi-million dollar joint venture projects, namely the India-Oman Fertiliser Project and the Bharat-Oman Fertiliser Project and the Bharat-Oman Refinery Project, proceeded satisfactorily. An Indian ocean (IOR) Exhibition was organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Muscat from 10-14 October, 1998, in which 56 Indian organisations participated. Meetings of the India-Oman Joint Economic Committee and the Annual Political Consultations will take place in New Delhi and Muscat respectively in early 1999.

Qatar

India’s traditionally warm and friendly relations with Qatar continued to grow during the year Mr Abdullah Bin Hamad, Al-Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry, visited Indian in July 1998 and called on the Prime Minister and handed over a letter from the Amir of Qatar to the PM. The Visiting dignitary also called on his counterpart, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri K Ramamurthy, on 8 July 1998. The Qatari Minister was accompanied by a 6 member delegation from the Qatar General Petroleum Corporation. A 22 member delegation from Qatar, led by assistant Under Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Industry, visited India on 6-8 May, 1998, and participated in two Seminars on "Indo-Qatar Trade Relations" organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi and Mumbai. Secretary (East) and joint Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs visited Qatar on 3 June, 1998. They called on the Qatari Minister of State for External Affairs and held discussions on bilateral relations. They also explained India’s position on the nuclear tests conducted in May 1998. Qatar has been selected for holding negotiations for supply of 7.5 million tonnes of LNG per year to India on a long-term basis.

The Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt Vasundhara Raje, accompanied by Secretary (East) and Joint Secretary (Gulf), visited Qatar from 26-29 October, 1998. She handed over a letter from the Prime Minister to H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar. She had a meeting with H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Foreign Minister of Qatar. The MOS also laid the foundation stone of the Indian chancery building in Doha, capital of Qatar. Shri E A Nayanar, Chief Minister of Kerala, visited Qatar from 26-28 September, 1998. He called on Mr Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry. A Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) was initialled between India and Qatar in Doha on 30 November, 1998. The meeting of the India-Qatar Joint Commission will take place in New Delhi on 8-9 March, 1999.

At the invitation of our Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, H. E. Mr Yousef Hussain Kamal, Minister of Finance, Economy and Commerce of the State of Qatar, visited India from 13-15 December, 1998. The visit was in connection with the purchase of 7.5 million tonnes of natural gas per year by India from Qatar on long-term basis. The visiting dignitary called on Shri Yashwant Sinha, Minister of Finance, and Smt Vasundhara Raje, Minister of State for External Affairs.

Saudi Arabia

India’s traditional relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are marked by cordiality and friendship. The bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia amounts to about US $ 3.5 billion. The Kingdom is host to around 1.3 million Indians. Secretary (East) and joint Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs visited Saudi Arabia between 17-20 July, 1998 to explain the rationale of the nuclear tests conducted by India in May 1998. An Indian team visited Saudi Arabia on 24-25 November, 1998 to hold negotiations for finalising the text of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between the two countries.

With a view to stepping up defence cooperation , an invitation was extended for a goodwill visit of a Saudi defence delegation to India. The battle ships-INS Rajput and INS Varuna-called at the Jubail Port on 6 June, 1998 on a goodwill visit, the first time in ten years that Indian Naval ships have made a friendly port call in the Kingdom. The Saudi Minister of Justice, H.E. Dr Abdulla Ibn Muhammed Ibn Ibrahim Al Sheikh, visited India to participate in the 37th session of Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee which was held in New Delhi from 13-18 April, 1998.

A total of 95,119 Indian pilgrims performed Haj in March 1998, of whom 63,583 pilgrims had gone through the Haj Committee, Mumbai, and the rest through Private Tour Operators (PTOs) or privately on international passports. To look after the welfare of the pilgrims 398 deputationists (223 doctors and para-medical staff and 175 administrative staff) were deputed to Saudi Arabia; 88 Haj volunteers were also sent by 13 State Haj Committees. A 28 member Haj Goodwill delegation visited Saudi Arabia during the Haj. While, on the whole, the Haj was very well-organised, there was one untoward incident a stampede at Mina in which 32 Indian pilgrims lost their lives.

To safeguard the interest of the pilgrims who perform Haj through PTOs and to regulate the working of the latter, the Ministry invited applications from companies organising Haj/Umrah pilgrimages. After detailed scrutiny, a number of PTOs have been recommended for registration with the Saudi Missions in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Haj 99 will take place in the last week of March 1999, and arrangements releting to accommodation in Makkah and Madinah and the Haj charter flights have been finalised satisfactorily. A team of three Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs visited Saudi Arabia in February 1999 to review the arrangements made for Indian pilgrims.

UAE

The age-old multidimensional relations between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were further strengthened and diversified during the year. With a view to promoting investment, the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement between the two countries was initialled in June 1998. In order to promote investment in Maharashtra, a delegation, led by Shri R V Patil, Minister of Culture and Water Conservation, Government of Maharashtra, visited the UAE on 15 September 1998. A delegation led by the CII President, Shri R V Shah, visited the UAE on 1 August, 1998 and held discussions with Indian businessmen, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote greater economic cooperation and joint ventures. The UAE-based Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) contributed US $ 1.26 billion to the Resurgent Indian Bonds (RIBs) which was around 30% of the total global collection of the RIBs. Secretary (East) and Joint Secretary (Gulf/Haj) in the Ministry of External Affairs visited Abu Dhabi on 2 June, 1998 and met the UAE Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zahid, and Acting Secretary of the UAE Foreign Office, Mr Saif Saeed Bin Saad and discussed ways to strengthening bilateral relations. They also explained the rational for the nuclear tests conducted by Indian in May 1998. The Vice President of India, Shri Krishan Kant, made a stopover in Dubai en route to India and was received by the UAE Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Mr Saeed Al Ghaith. The UAE Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr Obeid bin Saif Al-Nasiri, visited India on February 22-24, 1999 to discuss cooperation in the energy sector.

A delegation of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including some private businessmen, visited India during April 1998 and met various industrial bodies, organisations and businessmen. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry sent a delegation, led by its Chairman, Mr Ahmed Al Medfa, for a six-day presentation in India from 20 April 1998 which aimed at exploring business and investment opportunities both in India and Sharjah.

Yemen

Indo-Yemen relations are characterised by mutual goodwill, cordiality an friendship. The foreign policies of the two countries have much in common as both are committed to Non-alignment and support for Arab issues. Again, both India and Yemen are members of the Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) and engage in continuous interaction cooperating in the various projects identified for benefit of the people of the member-countries of the IOR-ARC. The annual Foreign Office Consultations were institutionalized with Yemen in 1993; the next session of the Foreign Office Consultations is scheduled to be held in New Delhi during February 1999. The third session of the Indo-Yemen Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation is expected to be held in Sana’a during March 1999. With a view to further strengthening relations between the parliamentarians of the two countries an invitation was extended to the Speaker of Yemeni National Assembly to visit India. Steps have been taken for making institutional arrangements with Yemen for close cooperation in curbing the menace of drug trafficking, combat terrorism and organised crimes; negotiations are under way for concluding these agreements, including extradition treaty. An Indian film festival and a photographic exhibition were inaugurated on 3 August 1998 in Sana’a by the Yemen Minister for Culture, Mr Abdul Al Mansoor.

Special Kuwait Cell

The Special Kuwait Cell has been working since 1991. Its main task is obtaining and distributing compensation for the Indian nationals and organizations who were adversely affected by the Gulf War of 1990-91. After a considerable time, funds are now being transferred by the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), Geneva. Transfer of funds is taking place roughly once every six months for partial settlement of category A & C claims @ $ 2500 per claim.

Disbursement of the compensation money to successful claimants is being done by four designated nationalised Banks. The four Banks, with the active cooperation and guidance of the Special Kuwait Cell, are carrying out the task of locating the successful claimants (many of whom have shifted residences or gone abroad), and paying their claim amounts.

In September 1998, UNCC transferred $ 93,542,500 for partial settlement of 37,417 claims approved in the 4th instalment of category A. UNCC has also transferred $ 14,255,510.61 for partial settlement of 5,869 claims in the 4th instalment of category C.

UNCC has also finalized the list of approved claims for the 6th instalment of category C. This covers 8,621 Indian claims, of a total value of over $ 101 million. UNCC is in the process of finalising the list for the 7th (and the last) instalment of category C. They have also started sending lists of approved claims in category D, i.e., claims exceeding $100,000.

In the 29th UNCC Governing Council Meeting (Geneva, 28-30 September, 1998), 23 Indian claims in category D have been approved for a total value of $ 522574.

In April 1998, a UNCC team of loss-adjustors and legal experts visited India for an on-site appraisal of documents pertaining to the Government of India claim in category F. Special Kuwait Cell made effective arrangements for a successful appraisal operation. As a result, the India's Govt. claim was processed expeditiously, although it was initially classified as "unusually large and complex". It has been approved for $ 92,621,397 in the 29th UNCC Governing Council Meeting. The actual transfer of the amount may, however, take some time. It would depend on the availability of funds from Iraq and payment prioritization between different claim categories, decided upon by the UNCC. India was among the few countries who made official statement at the 29th Governing Council Meeting. The thrust of India's statement was that some degree of priority should be given to the small claims under categories A & C, after the first-part payments are completed.

It is the exclusive responsibility of the UNCC to evaluate and scrutinize the claims, evolve a payment procedure and deliver the awarded compensation to eligible claimants for payment through national Governments.

Up to 31 December, 1998 the Special Kuwait Cell had been instrumental in the disbursement of the following amounts, in cooperation with the four designated Banks:

Towards end-March 1999, we expect to receive from UNCC, further funds for installments V of categories A & C (depending on the financial situation on UNCC).

As important meeting of the UNCC Governing Council is also expected to take place in March. Among other things, this Meeting is expected to take a view on the payment priorities, after the first phase of payments for categories A & C gets completed. In the Governing Council Meeting of September 98, India made an official statement which, inter alia, stated that in the second phase of payments, a degree of priority should be given to completion of payments for categories A & C."

WANA Region

India maintained its support for the Arab and Palestinian causes as well as the Middle East Peace Process. Developments in the region and lack of progress in the Middle East Peace Process gave rise to growing concern. India had welcomed the Wye River Memorandum signed between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organisation on 23 October, 1998 and had maintained that the signed agreements and accords should be honoured and implemented without any pre-conditions. India’s multi-faceted relations with countries in West Asia and North Africa were further strengthened through exchange of visits and conclusion of functional Cooperation Agreements. Our trade with the region witnessed a steady growth. Work continued apace on the Indian joint venture in Morocco and this project is likely to come on stream by the middle of 1999. India’s gesture of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and the human resource development under the ITEC Programme were a manifestation of our commitment to South South Cooperation.

Algeria

Relations with Algeria continued to be marked by warmth and closeness. On the margins of the G-15 Summit held in Cairo in May 1998, Vice-President Shri Krishan Kant met President Mr Liamine Zeroual of Algeria. Again on the sidelines of the NAM Summit at Durban and the UNGA at New York, Algerian Foreign Minister Mr Ahmed Attaf called on Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee and exchanged views on important global, regional and bilateral issues. Additional Secretary(UN) and Joint Secrertary(WANA) in the Ministry visited Algiers in August 1998 for pre-NAM consultations. President of the Algerian Constitutional Council Justice Said Bouchair, alongwith members of the Constitutional Council, visited India from 6-12 September ,1998 at the invitation of Chief Justice of India. During their visit, "New Delhi Declaration" was issued. This Declaration provides for exchange of information, documents and setting up of a forum of the judges, lawyers and professors of law. A delegation from the national oil company of Algeria - SONATRACH - visited India between 21-24 June, 1998 and held discussions with officials of ONGC-VL and IOC on the possibilities for cooperation in the areas of drilling, oil field equipment, joint ventures in third countries, joint research and development, human resource development, etc.

Egypt

Bilateral ties of friendship, mutual understanding and co-operation with Egypt were strengthened. Vice-President Shri Krishan Kant led the Indian delegation to the G-15 Summit in Cairo from 11-13 May, 1998. The other members of the Indian delegation to the G-15 Summit included Commerce Minister Shri Ramakrishna Hegde and Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje. On the sidelines of the Summit, the Vice-President met President Mr Hosni Mubarak and exchanged views on important issues. The meetings between the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr Amre Moussa during the NAM Summit in Durban, UNGA in New York and Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje and Foreign Minister Mr Amre Moussa during the G-15 Summit in Cairo and NAM Ministerial Meeting in Cartagena sustained the high level dialogue between the two countries. Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai visited Cairo to attend the 4th Annual Board Meeting of ‘Partners in Population & Development’ from 7-11 November, 1998. A delegation led by Minister of Environment Shri Suresh P Prabhu visited Cairo from 16-24 November, 1998 to attend the meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. Minister of Textiles Shri Kashi Ram Rana visited Egypt from 19-22 August, 1998 to preside over the Valedictory Reception for the 5th exclusive Indian Jewellery Exhibition organised by the HHEC from 13-19 August, 1998 in Cairo. The Minister met Egyptian Minister for Trade and Supply Dr. Ahmed al-Goweili and a group of Egyptian businessmen. Chief of Army Staff Gen V P Malik transited through Cairo on 14 December, 1998 on a private visit. During his stay in Cairo, Gen. Malik called on Chief of Egyptian Armed Forces Lt Gen Mogdy Hatata. Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr M S Gill paid an official visit to Egypt from 26 April - 2 May, 1998. Additional Secretary(UN ) and Joint Secretary(WANA) in the Ministry visited Egypt in August 1998 for pre-NAM consultations. Indian delegation was received by Foreign Minister Mr Amre Moussa. A Memorandum of Understanding between India and Egypt for Co-operation in the Development of Small Scale Enterprises Sector in Egypt was signed in Cairo on 9.5.98 by Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje and Foreign Minister Mr Amre Moussa. President of the Court of Cassation in Egypt Justice Mehdat El-Maraghi visited India from 11-18 April, 1998 at the invitation of Chief Justice of India. The first exclusive "Made in India" Exhibition held in Cairo from 15-19 April, 1998, was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Egypt Dr Kamal el Ganzouri. Other dignitaries present at the inauguration were Egyptian Foreign Minister Mr Amre Moussa and Minister for Industry and Mineral Wealth Dr Soliman Reda Ali Soliman. Minister of Industry and Social Welfare of Kerala Smt Susheela Gopalan led the Indian delegation to the Exhibition. A Round Table Conference on Indo-Egyptian Relations was held in New Delhi on 16 December, 1998. Deputy Editor of Egyptian Arabic language newspaper ’Al-Ahram’ Mr Mahmoud Mourad participated in this Conference. A high-powered media delegation led by the Chairman and Chief Editor of Arabic language daily ’Al-Ahram’ Ibrahim Nafie to India from 24-29 June, 1998. The delegation called on the Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, Minister of Defence Shri George Fernandes, Minister of Finance Shri Yashwant Sinha, Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha Dr (Mrs) Najma Heptullah, External Affairs Minister (then Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission) Shri Jaswant Singh and Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje. The first round of Annual Indo-Egyptian Foreign Office Consultations are scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 22-23 February, 1999.

Israel

Cooperation with Israel in the areas of trade and agriculture continued to develop satisfactorily. The Deputy Director General in Israel’s Foreign Office Mr Yitzhak Shelev visited India for the Fourth round of Foreign Office Consultations held in New Delhi on 21 January, 1999. The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (East) Shri Nareshwar Dayal. The Second Meeting of Indo-Israeli Joint Trade & Economic Committee was held in New Delhi on 27 October, 1998 and was co-chaired by the Commerce Secretary and Director General in Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Dov Mishor. The Joint Trade & Economic Committee Meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Shri P P Prabhu and Director General, Israel’s Ministry of Industry Mr Dov Mishor. The Attorney General for India Shri Soli J Sorabjee visited Israel from 20-24 December, 1998 at the invitation of his counterpart in Israel. Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai went to Israel on a private visit from 11-13 November, 1998. Minister of State for Rural Areas & Employment, Shri Babagouda Patil visited Israel from 30.10.98 to 5.11.98 at the invitation of Israel’s Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Rafael Eitan. Minister of Urban Affairs and Employment Shri Ram Jethamalani visited Israel from 7-11 September, 1998 at the invitation of Israel’s Minister of Infrastructure Mr Ariel Sharon. Agreement on Co-operation in the field of Telecommunications and Posts between India and Israel, signed on 29 November, 1994, was ratified by India on 24 September, 1998.

Jordan

Bilateral relations with Jordan retained their positive trends of increasing understanding and co-operation. Vice President Shri Krishan Kant represented India at the funeral of King Hussein in Amman on 8 February, 1999. Both Houses of Parliament adopted an Obituary Reference to King Hussein on the opening day of the Budget Session of Parliament. Additional Secretary (UN) and Joint Secretary(WANA) in the Ministry visited Amman in August 1998 for pre-NAM consultations. The delegation was received by Crown Prince Hassan. Speaker of Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture and Chief Election Commissioner transited through Jordan.

Lebanon

India’s relations with Lebanon continued to be warm and friendly. India maintained its support for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution No. 425 which calls for withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon’s occupied territories forthwith. At the request of the United Nations, India sent an Indian Army contingent as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Secretary (East) in the Ministry Shri Nareshwar Dayal visited Lebanon from 15-17 July, 1998 for Foreign Office consultations. He was received by Prime Minister Mr Rafik Al-Hariri and Foreign Minister Mr Fares Bouez.

Libya

India’s relations with Libya continued to be marked by understanding and co-operation. India has consistently believed and worked for a just and equitable solution to the Lockerbie issue. Under Secretary for Asian Affairs in Libyan Foreign Office Mr Saad Mustafa Mujber visited India from 23-25 April, 1998 for Foreign Office consultations. During his stay in New Delhi, Under Secretary Mujber called on Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje and delivered a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee from Libya‘s Foreign Minister. He also called on Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri V K Ramamurthy, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Mukhtar Naqvi and Secretary (Industry) Shri T R Prasad.

Morocco

Relations with Morocco witnessed qualitative enhancement. Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee visited Morocco on 13-14 February, 1999. He had a tete-etete with Prime Minister Abderrahmane El Youssoufi, followed by delegation-level talks. Prime Minister also called King Hassan II. The King honoured the Prime Minister by conferring on him "Grand Cordon of the Alawy Wissam". During Prime Minister’s visit, Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement, Tourism Co-operation Agreement and Agreement between Press Trust of India (PTI) and Maghreb Arab Presse (MAP) for mutual professional co-operation were signed. Foreign Minister of Morocco Abdellatif Filali called on Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee on the margins of the NAM Summit in Durban in August 1998 and Minister of External Affairs (then Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission) Shri Jaswant Singh met Morocco's Prime Minister Abderrahmane El Youssoufi in New York on the sidelines of the Special Session of the UN on Narcotics and Drugs held in New York from 8-10 June, 1998. Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje, accompanied by Secretary (East) Shri Nareshwar Dayal, visited Morocco from 25-27 June, 1998. Besides holding discussions with her counterpart State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation Mme Aicha Belarbi, MOS also called on Prime Minister Mr Abderrahmane El Youssoufi, Foreign Minister Abdellatif Filali and Finance Minister Mr Fthallah Oualalou. She signed a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Morocco on Foreign Office Consultations. Speaker of Lok Sabha Hon’ble Shri G M C Balayogi led a Parliamentary delegation to Morocco from 7-12 October, 1998. The Hon’ble Speaker was invited to the inauguration of the Moroccan Parliament by the President of the Majlis An-Nuwab (House of Representatives) Mr Abdelwahed Radi. The Hon’ble Speaker was received by King Hassan II of Morocco and honoured with the title of "Officer Wissam Alaoui". The Hon’ble Speaker also called on Morocco’s Prime Minister Mr Abderrahmane El-Youssoufi. During the visit of Indian Parliamentary delegation, it was decided to establish an Indo-Moroccan Parliamentary Friendship Group. Minister of State for Finance (RB & I) Shri K M R Janardhanan visited Morocco from 28-30 October, 1998 to sign the Convention on Avoidance of Double Taxation between India and Morocco. Amongst others, he called on the Prime Minister of Morocco. General Manager of the Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF) Mr Mohammed El Als visited India on 7-12 December, 1998. During his visit, he held discussions with RITES and IRCON. Ambassador of the King of Morocco Mr Hassan Abouyoub visited India from 6-7 November, 1998. He called on Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Minister of Commerce, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Palestine

India continued to extend political, material and technical support to Palestine. India repeatedly expressed its concern at the stalling of the Middle East Peace Process. India welcomed the Wye River Memorandum signed between Israel and PLO on 23 October, 1998. India believes that this Memorandum will improve the quality of life of the Palestinian people and pave the way to commence Final Status Negotiations so that a just, comprehensive and lasting peace could be achieved in the region on the basis of the Principle of "Land for Peace" and the relevant UN Resolutions. India calls upon the parties concerned to faithfully implement this Memorandum and eschew unilateral measures which are not in conformity with this Memorandum and other understandings and agreements. India’s traditional friendly relations with Palestine were enhanced by several exchanges. Additional Secretary (UN) and Joint Secretary (WANA) visited Palestine Authority territory in August 1998 for pre-NAM consultations. The Indian delegation was received by President Arafat. Additional Secretary (FA) and Joint Secretary (WANA) in the Ministry visited Gaza in June, 1998 to sign two MOUs and Agreed Minutes for the implementation of two Indian-aided projects, namely, construction of a Library at Al Azhar University and construction of a Library-cum-Activity Centre at Palestinian Technical College at Deir El Balah. Joint Secretary (WANA) was received by President Mr Yasser Arafat, Minister for International Co-operation Dr Nabil Sha’ath and PLO Executive Secretary Dr Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Islamic Holy Sites in Palestine Sheikh Ikrima Sabri visited India from 10-16 December, 1998 on a goodwill mission. He was received by the Vice-President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry. He also visited Hyderabad and Bangalore. Member of the Executive Committee of Al-Fateh, In-charge of Foreign Relations and Member of Palestine National Council Mr Hani Al-Hasan visited India as a representative of PLO to attend the 17th Congress of CPI from 18-20 September, 1998 held in m Chennai. During his visit, he called on Minister of State for External Affairs. The Palestine Authority's Minister of Housing & Energy Mr Abdel Rehman T Hamad visited India to attend the Seminar organised by the Council of Arab Ambassadors. During his stay in New Delhi, the Palestinian Minister called on Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri V K Ramamurthy and Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje. India offered more than 50 training slots to the Palestinian personnel for specialised training courses during the current financial year 1998-99. At the International Donors Conference was held in Washington DC on 30 November, 1998 to help the Palestinian people, India pledged an amount of US$ 1 million. The utilisation of this amount will be decided on consultation with the Palestinian authorities.

India supported the UN efforts on Western Sahara. India has contributed 10 Police personnel to the civilian contingent under the MINURSO. In Somalia, India supports UN efforts to restore peace and normalcy. The President of Djibouti Hassan Gouled Aptidou transited through Chennai on 1-2 August, 1998.

Sudan

Relations with Sudan were strengthened through expansion and diversification of bilateral economic co-operation. India reiterated its support for Sudan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Minister of Transport of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan Dr Lam Akol and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport Mr Mudawi Eltiraifi visited India to attend the Seminar on "National Transport Policy - Environmental and Energy Issues" held in New Delhi from 9-11 December, 1998, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Railway Board. While in New Delhi, the Sudanese Minister called on the Minister of Railways. A 3-member Sudanese Parliamentary delegation led by the Deputy Chairman, Federal Relations Committee, Sudanese National Assembly Dr Salah Eldin Mirghani M A Gaili visited India in the first week of October 1998 to get acquainted with the functioning of the federal system in India. During their visit, the Sudanese delegation called on the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Tourism Shri Madan Lal Khurana and Lt Governor of Delhi. Sudan’s Minister of Animal Wealth Mr Joseph Malawal came to India on a private visit in June, 1998 and amongst others, called on the Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Som Pal. The Government of India sent relief supplies consisting of baby milk powder and medicines to Sudan to help the flood victims.

Syria

Bonds of understanding and co-operation with Syria were strengthened. Chief of Army Staff Gen V P Malik visited Syria from 10-14 December, 1998 at the invitation of Syria’s Chief of Army & Armed Forces Lt Gen Ali Asslan. Gen Malik was also received by Syria’s Defence Minister First Lt Gen Mustafa Tlass and Foreign Minister Mr Farouq al-Shara. Secretary (East) in the Ministry Shri Nareshwar Dayal visited Syria on 13-15 July, 1998 for Foreign Office Consultations. Secretary (East) was received by Foreign Minister Mr Farouk Al-Shara. The Director General of the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria Dr I Othman visited India for the IAEA Meeting from 12-16 October, 1998 held at BARC, Mumbai.

Tunisia

Bilateral relations with Tunisia continued to develop satisfactorily. Tunisia’s Minister for Environment and Land Use Planning Mohamed Mr Mehdi Mlika visited India from 1-3 April, 1998 to attend the meeting of Global Environment Facility at New Delhi. During his stay in India, the Tunisian Minister called on Minister of Environment and Forests Shri Suresh Prabhu and Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Vasundhara Raje.

India maintained cordial relations and co-operation with the regional organisations, namely, League of Arab States (LAS) and Union of Arab Maghreb.