07 Jun 2022 Visit of Indian Vice President to Senegal
Visit of Indian Vice President to Senegal – Today Current Affairs
- Recently the Vice President of India visited Senegal and signed three MoUs for cultural exchange, cooperation in youth affairs and visa-free governance.
- Both countries are celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic relations.
Today Current Affairs
Highlights of the trip:
Visa free arrangement:
- The first MoU pertains to visa-free governance for holders of diplomatic and official passports which will strengthen cooperation between the two countries through seamless travel of officials/diplomats.
Cultural Exchange Programs : The Hindu Analysis
- Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) MoU was renewed for the period 2022-26.
- With the renewal of the CEP, more cultural exchanges will be possible, thereby strengthening people-to-people contacts.
Bilateral Cooperation in Youth Affairs : The Hindu Analysis
- Recognizing that both India and Senegal have relatively large youth populations, this MoU will be mutually beneficial for both countries through exchange of information, knowledge, good practices and youth.
Diversification of Business : The Hindu Analysis
- India-Senegal trade has grown by 37% to US$ 1.5 billion during the last one year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. India called for diversification of trade especially in the areas of agriculture, oil, gas, health, railways, mining, defence, green energy etc.
- Given the large amount of phosphates that India imports from Senegal, Indian companies, especially those manufacturing heavy equipment (such as cranes, bulldozers, etc.), can offer their expertise in this area.
Upgradation of Entrepreneurship Training & Development Center : The Hindu Analysis
- Phase II of the upgrade of the Center for Entrepreneurship Training and Development (CEDT) in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, has been approved.
- CEDT was established in Dakar in the year 2002 under Indian grant-in-aid and every year around 1000 youths, mainly located in Senegal and 19 other African countries, train in six different disciplines.
Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation : The Hindu Analysis
- Senegal, being a French speaking country, is not able to take advantage of the various training/capacity building programs under ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) running in English language, so India has decided on 20 years on English training for Senegalese civil servants. A special ITEC course is offered for individuals.
E-Vidya Bharti and e-Arogya Bharti Initiatives : The Hindu Analysis
- Recognizing that many African students come to India for higher studies, India has launched e-Vidya Bharti and e-Arogya Bharati (E-VBAB) initiatives (Tele-education and Tele-medicine) to benefit Senegalese students has announced to cooperate with Senegal to implement.
Issue of detained Indian citizens : The Hindu Analysis
- India sent four Indian nationals, the ship M.V. Urges the Government of Senegal to take prompt action regarding the release of the crew members of Asso-6, who were arrested in Senegal in June 2021 on charges of alleged drug trafficking, so that they can return to their homes to return to the family.
Permanent UNSC Membership of India : The Hindu Analysis
- Appreciating Senegal’s support for India’s permanent UNSC membership, India reaffirmed its unwavering support to Africa as enshrined in the Azulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration and underlined the need to rectify the injustice meted out to the African continent.
- The Azulvini Consensus (2005) is a position on international relations and the reform of the United Nations, agreed upon by the African Union.
Non-Aligned Movement : The Hindu Analysis
- India called for re-energizing and energizing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and making it more responsive to contemporary issues relevant to developing countries.
- India sought Senegal’s support for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) under the United Nations, describing it as important to tackle the menace of cross-border terrorism.
Presidency of African Union : The Hindu Analysis
- India congratulated Senegal on becoming the President of the African Union.
Key points of India-Senegal relations:
Political Relations : The Hindu Analysis
- Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established at the ambassadorial level in 1962 with a resident Indian mission in Dakar.
- The two countries maintain warm and friendly bilateral relations, sharing the values of democracy, development and secularism.
- They are both members of the Non-Aligned Movement, the G-15 and the International Solar Alliance.
- The G-15 was created essentially as an economic forum designed to promote South-South cooperation.
Commercial Relations : The Hindu Analysis
- Major commodities exported from India include textiles, food items, automobiles and pharmaceuticals. The major items imported from Senegal are phosphoric acid and raw cashew nuts.
Development Assistance Program : The Hindu Analysis
- India has expanded the limits of credit to Senegal in areas such as agriculture and irrigation, transport, rural electrification, fisheries, women’s poverty alleviation, information technology training and equipment, medicine, railways, etc.
- India supplied 250 e-rickshaws with lithium-ion batteries to Senegal.
Cultural Cooperation : The Hindu Analysis
- Some of the Indian cultural events held in Senegal in the year 2019 include Tiranga 3.0, Senegal, the third edition of the Festival of India in Dakar; various events related to Tiranga Holi, 4th International Day of Yoga and 150th Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti celebrations.
- India also offers 10 ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships.
Indian Diaspora : The Hindu Analysis
- The number of Indian community here is about 500. Most of them are working for Indian companies, including those executing development projects under lines of credit given by India, and some are running their own businesses.
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