Annual Report2009-2010

Ministry of External AffairsNew Delhi

Published by:Policy Planning and Research Division, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi

This Annual Report can also be accessed at website:www.mea.gov.in

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Contents

Introduction and Synopsis i-xix

1 Indias Neighbours 1

2 South East Asia and the Pacific 19

3 East Asia 28

4 Eurasia 35

5 The Gulf, West Asia and North Africa 42

6 Africa (South of Sahara) 52

7 Europe 70

8 The Americas 92

9 United Nations and International Organizations 109

10 Disarmament and International Security Affairs 127

11 Multilateral Economic Relation 132

12 SAARC Division 138

13 Technical & Economic Cooperation and Development Partnership 140

14 Investment and Technology Promotion 143

15 Energy Security 145

16 Policy Planning and Research 146

17 Protocol 149

18 Consular, Passport and Visa Services 157

19 Administration and Establishment 160

20 Coordination 164

21 External Publicity 165

22 Public Diplomacy 168

23 Foreign Service Institute 171

24 Implementation of Official Language Policy and Propagation of Hindi Abroad 173

25 Indian Council for Cultural Relations 176

26 Indian Council of World Affairs 180

27 Research and Information System for Developing Countries 183

28 Library 188

Appendices

Appendix I: Cadre strength at Headquarters and Missions abroad during 2009-10(including Posts budgeted by Ministry of Commerce and those ex-cadred etc.) 193

Appendix II: Data on recruitment through direct recruitment, departmental promotionand Ltd Departmental Examination made in the Ministry along with the reservedvacancies for April 2009 to November 2009 194

Appendix III: Number of IFS Officers with Proficiency in various languages 195

Appendix IV: Statement showing the number of passport applications received andpassports issued, miscellaneous applications received and services rendered,No. of Passports issued as well as Revenue under Tatkaal Scheme andtotal Expenditure of Passport Offices from 1 January - 30 November 2009. 196

Appendix V: Finances of the Ministry of External Affairs in 2009-2010 197

Appendix VI: The Major Sectoral Allocations in the 2009-2010 Budget(Revised Estimate) (Revenue & Capital) 198

Appendix VII: Principal Destinations of Indias Aid & Loan Programmes 199

Appendix VIII: Extracts from C&AG's Report on Ministry of External Affairs 200

Appendix IX: Status of Action Taken Note (Financial Year 2003-2009) 201

Appendix X: Treaties/Conventions/Agreements Concluded or Renewed by Indiawith other countries 2009 202

Appendix XI: Instruments of Full Powers Issued during the period 1 January 2009to December 2009 209

Appendix XII: Instruments of Ratification/Accession issued during the period 1 January2009 to December 2009 210

Appendix XIII: Conference/ Seminars/ Study projects organized/ undertaken byInstitutions/ NGOs, which were funded, partially or wholly, by Policy Planning &Research Division during the period 211

Appendix XIV: List of ITEC partner countries 212

Appendix XV: List of ITEC Training Institutes in India 214

Appendix XVI: Seminars/Conferences/Lectures/Meetings: April 2009 - March 2010 215

Appendix XVII: Seminars Organized by RIS 218

Abbreviations 219

i

Introduction and Synopsis

Indias foreign policy is closely integrated with thecountrys fundamental security and developmentalpriorities. We seek a global order in which Indias interests

are assured; the autonomy of Indias decision-making is

safeguarded; and which is conducive to achievement of

the overriding goal of rapid, sustained and inclusive

socio-economic development of the country. To this end,

Indian foreign policy has combined firm commitment to

our core national values with dynamic adaptation to

change in the international environment.

Central to our policy objectives is ensuring a peaceful and

secure neighbourhood, cordial and balanced relations with

the major powers and mutually beneficial partnerships

with developing countries. Indian foreign policy also has

a strong multilateral aspect. Many of the key challenges

of our times issues such as peace and security including

fight against international terrorism, reform of

international financial architecture and international

organizations, food and energy security and climate

change have global dimensions and require cooperative

global action to be addressed effectively.

The year 2009-10 was witness to challenges in the foreign

policy domain in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist

attacks of November 2008 and the global financial crisis.

Even as these challenges were effectively countered, there

were also significant achievements in other areas.

Indias commitment to close and good neighbourly

relations with all our subcontinential neighbours is based

on the fundamental principles of equality and mutual

respect. India is committed to supporting Bhutan in the

consolidation of its newly established democracy. The visit

of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the

fifth King of Bhutan to India in December 2009 further

deepened and consolidated bilateral relations. India

continued its strong support to Nepals transition to a

stable, peaceful and prosperous democratic state. Prime

Minister Madhav Kumar Nepals visit to India in August

2009 and the visit of President Ram Baran Yadav in

February 2010 strengthened the close ties of friendly

cooperation and the unique and multifaceted relationship

we share with Nepal. The restoration of multi-party

democracy in Bangladesh has had a positive impact in

many areas of cooperation with Bangladesh. Bilateral

relations were greatly strengthened with Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasinas visit to India in January 2010. Indias

pledge of a line of credit of US$ 1 billion for infrastructure

development in Bangaldesh and Prime Minister Hasinas

assurance that anti-India activity would not be allowed

from the soil of Bangladesh were some of the significant

landmark outcomes from this historic visit. During

2009-2010, Indias support and contribution to the

reconstruction of Afghanistan was further consolidated.

Relations with Sri Lanka saw further development with

India and Sri Lanka maintaining high-level interaction

and with Indias offer of assistance of Rs. 500 crores for

the relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of internally

displaced persons belonging to the Tamil minority and

long-term reconstruction of the war-ravaged regions of

the country.

Apart from maintaining close ties with the immediate

neighbours, India continues to work with other SAARC

member countries to transform SAARC into an effective

vehicle for regional integration.

India attaches high importance to its bilateral relations

with China. Notwithstanding the complex nature of this

relationship, both countries continued their high-level

political interaction. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh

met the Chinese President Hu Jintao in Yekaterinburg

(June 2009) and Premier Wen Jiabao in Hua Hin

(October 2009). The institutionalized dialogue

mechanisms between the two countries covering a host

of issues have steadily progressed during the period. With

a convergence of interests on issues such as Doha Round

of WTO negotiations, climate change, global financial

crisis etc., both countries have continued to interact

constructively on global issues.

Indias relations with the USA and Russia have not only

been strengthened but also transformed qualitatively with

new areas of strategic cooperation added. Indias

engagement with the US broadened in a number of areas

of mutual interest at the bilateral, regional and global level.

Both new Governments in India and the US reiterated

Annual Report 2009 - 2010

ii

their strong commitment to strengthen the existing

political and economic partnership, and take it to a higher

level for mutual benefit. During the visit of US Secretary

of State Ms. Hillary Clinton in July 2009, both countries

jointly announced a new agenda for Indo-US relations.

The Indo-USA strategic partnership, was further

consolidated with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhs

visit to the US in November 2009. During the visit, Prime

Minister Dr. Singh and President Obama decided to

embark on a new phase in the global strategic partnership

between India and the US. During the period, the

US remained Indias one of Indias largest trading partners.

The total volume of Indo-US bilateral trade in goods and

services stood at US$ 59.8 billion during the period

January-October 2009.

Indo-Russian relations continued to be strengthened with

the State visit of President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil

to Russia in September 2009, Prime Minister

Dr. Manmohan Singhs visit to Russia in June 2009 for

Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) and Shanghai

Coope