FOREIGN LEADERS IN SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Narendra Nodi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for a third time on June 9. A number of dignitaries were present for the functions, including the leaders of seven countries with whom India shares a close relationship.
Notably, all these seven countries, in recent years, have seen growing ties with China, India’s closest geopolitical rival.
BANGLADESH, PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINA
- Export-import: $11,061 million-$1,845 million
- India and Bangladesh have deep historical ties rooted in India’s role in Bangladesh’s liberation.
- Today, they share a robust trade relationship, which amounted to $12,906 million in the 2023-24 financial year, with India exporting machinery and textile, while Bangladesh exports garments and fish.
- The country has consistently been among the top five to ten export destinations for India.
- Culturally, too, Bangladesh and India share close bonds with frequent cultural exchanges and educational collaborations taking place.
- Bangladesh, specifically Sheikh Hasina’s dispensation, has been crucial for India’s national security by clamping down on militants and separatist groups who used to seek shelter there.
- Currently, India and Bangladesh are still working towards improving connectivity, and a comprehensive water-sharing agreement.
SRI LANKA, PRESIDENT RANIL WICKREMESINGHE
- Export-import: $4,118 million -$1,424 million
- Ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka can be traced back to ancient times.
- In 2023-24, their bilateral trade was valued at $5,542 million, with significant Indian exports of petroleum and automobiles.
- During the Civil War in Sri Lanka, India (unsuccessfully) sent in a peacekeeping force to the country between 1987-89, to disarm various militant groups — it was both overtly and covertly involved in the conflict.
- Both India and Sri Lanka share deep religious and cultural ties, especially between the minority Sri Lankan Tamils and the Tamils of India.
- Future discussions between the two countries are expected to focus on enhancing maritime security cooperation, settle maritime disputes, and strengthen economic cooperation.
NEPAL, PRIME MINISTER PUSHPA KAMAL DAHAL ALIAS ‘PRACHANDA’
- Export-import $7,041 million-$830 million
- India and Nepal share an open-border relationship, reflecting their deep historical and cultural ties.
- In 2023-24, bilateral trade amounted to $7,871 million, dominated by Indian exports of petroleum products and machinery.
- The two countries also share deep cultural and religious ties, with a thriving tourism industry (especially religious tourism) between the two countries.
- Energy and water-sharing disputes have in the past been a sticking point.
MALDIVES, PRESIDENT MOHAMED MUIZZU
- Export-import: $892 million-$87 million
- Most notably, India helped prevent a coup in Maldives in 1988.
- The Indian Armed Forces continued to have a modest presence in the archipelago, until President Muizzu came in on an “India Out” platform.
- Relationships have since soured, but Muizzu’s presence in New Delhi indicates a possible thaw.
- In 2023-24, trade between the two nations reached $979 million, primarily involving marine products and construction materials.
- Many students from Maldives come to India for further studies.
- Apart from improving strained ties, upcoming discussions will likely be centred around issues such as climate change and sustainable development.
SEYCHELLES, VICE PRESIDENT AHMED AFIF
- Export-import: $76 million-$9 million
- India and Seychelles share a strategic relationship, particularly in maritime security and environmental coop.
- Located north of Madagascar, Seychelles is among the most strategically important archipelagos in the Indian Ocean.
- Trade between the two countries was valued at $85 million in 2023-24, with a focus on fisheries and tourism.
- Both nations have, in the past, engaged in joint heritage conservation projects.
- Future dialogues will aim to bolster environmental protection agreements, crucial for addressing climate change whose impacts will be disastrous for the island country.
BHUTAN, KING JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUCK
- Export-import: $964 million- $339 million
- India and Bhutan are, what one can call, all weather friends with significant economic and cultural exchanges.
- In 2023-24, bilateral trade was $1.3 billion, with India being a major partner in Bhutan’s hydroelectric power sector.
- Cultural ties are reinforced through educational exchanges and collaborative efforts in preserving Bhutanese heritage.
- Future discussions will likely focus on expanding economic cooperation through new trade agreements.
MAURITIUS, PRESIDENT PRITHVIRAJSING ROOPUN
- Export-import: $778 million-$74 million
- India and Mauritius enjoy close relations, underpinned by strong cultural and economic ties.
- Bilateral trade in 2023-24 was valued at $ 852 million, with key exports from Mauritius including textiles and sugar.
- Culturally, the countries are connected by a significant Indian diaspora in Mauritius, which is celebrated through regular cultural events and exchanges.
- Future talks will focus on enhancing strategic partnership in sectors like digital technology and the blue economy (economic activity associated with the sea).
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