Profile of India

Name : Republic Of India
National Holiday : 26 January, 15 August , 2 October
Type of Government : Federal Republic
Head of State : President Pratibha Patil
Head of Government : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
External Affairs Minister : Pranab Mukherjee
Ministers of State for External Relations : Mr. E. Ahamed and Mr Anand Sharma

ECONOMIC INDICATORS 2006 2007 2008 2009

Population (in millions) 1,152.05 1,169.23 1,186.31 1,203.28
GDP (in billions) 875.435 1,100.99 1,206.68 1,242.64
GDP per capita 759 941 1,017 1,032
GDP, PPP (in billions) 2,673.59 3,007.90 3,297.84 3,528.61
GDP growth (annual %) 9.817 9.372 7.346 5.355

UNITED NATIONS:
1- India has been contributing with US$50,000 per annum to the ITC Global Trust Fund
since its inception in 1996.
2-Over 55,000 Indian Military and Police personnel have served under the UN flag in 35
UN peace keeping operations in all the continents of the globe (especially in Africa and Asia).
3-In 2007, India contributed with US$6,2 millions to the United Nations Development
Program and US$8,8 millions to the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP).
4-In 2008, India contributed with US$13,07 millions to the UNWFP and has contributed
with U$ 100,000 to the UNCTAD (United Nations Trust Fund for the least Developed
Countries).

Contributions to the UN ( in US$ Dollars) 2006 2007
Gross contributions 8103578 10087503
Credit from staff assessment 918799 1084107
Net Contributions 7184779 9003396

FOREIGN POLICY AIMS:
* Remains a leader of the developing world and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM);
* Strength its political and commercial ties with the United States, Japan, the European
Union, Iran, China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Also, India is an
active member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC);
* Seeks a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA (IBSA) DIALOGUE FORUM:
* The Prime Minister of India, and the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa met in New
Delhi in 2008 for the 3rd Summit of IBSA Dialogue Forum
(i) Reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the trilateral cooperation and
reaffirmed that the Forum is an important mechanism for closer coordination on
global issues, for promoting the interests of developing countries, enhancing
cooperation in sectored areas and improving their economic ties
( ii) Recommitted themselves to assist developing countries in the fight against poverty
and hunger through the Facility Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger which is
a initiative to enhance South-South Cooperation for the benefit of the neediest of
nations of the South
(iii) Signed: (i) Tripartite Agreement on Tourism, (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on
Trade Facilitation for Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment,
(iii) Memorandum of Understanding on Environment, (iv) Memorandum of
Understanding on Human Settlements Development, (v) Five Year Action Plan for
Maritime Transport, (vi) Five Year Action Plan for Civil Aviation, and (vii)
Memorandum of Understanding on Women’s Development and Gender Equality
Programs, to enhance cooperation in these sectors.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE:
* CAN (Andean Community of Nations)
(i) In 2003 signed an Agreement to establish a mechanism of political consultation and
cooperation.
* CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market):
(i) In 2003 signed an Agreement to establish India CARICOM Standing Joint
Commission to promote and develop closer relations between India and CARICOM
in political, economic, environmental, health, scientific and technical fields. The Joint
Commission has the responsibility for the follow up of specific cooperation
agreements concluded between both.
* Brazil:
(i) In 2008 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the field of
agriculture
* Colombia:
(i) India embassy in Colombia is also responsible for relations with Ecuador and Costa Rica
(ii) In 2001, signed an Agreement on exemption of Visas for Diplomatic/Official Passports
and an Agreement on Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies
(iii) In 2002, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in the
field of Information Technology
(iv) In 2005, signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the area of Science & Technology
(v) In 2007, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Public
Transportation and Urban Development
(vi) In 2007, India had positive trade balance with Colombia for US$ 535,6 millions
(vii) The principal exports to Colombia are vehicles and auto parts, organic chemicals,
pharmaceutical products, cotton yarn, man-made fibers and filaments, and electrical
and machineries.
(vii) The principal imports from Colombia are mineral fuels, teak wood, iron and steel
products
* Costa Rica:
(i) In 2007, India has a positive trade balance with Costa Rica of US$ 12,3 millions
(ii) Costa Rica is expected to open its Embassy in India during 2008
* Ecuador:
(i) In 2006, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Foreign Office Consultation
(ii) In 2007, had a negative trade balance with Ecuador for US$ 146 millions
(iii) The principal exports to Ecuador are vehicles, motor cycles and accessories, iron and
steel, and pharmaceutical products
(iv) The principal imports from Colombia are mineral fuels (crude oil) and teak wood
(v) In 2008 made a donation of generic medicines of US$ 200,000
* United States:
(i) In 2005, India Prime Minister and United States President, along with United Nations
Secretary General launched the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and the
two countries were the first to contribute to this initiative to the extent of US$ 10
million each.
(ii) In 2006 the United States Congress approved the Henry J. Hyde United States-India
Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006, and then United States President
signed it into law. This act revised United States’ law to enable the United States to
extend civil nuclear cooperation to India
(ii) In 2007 both countries completed negotiations on the bilateral agreement for
Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation (123 Agreement)
(iii) In October 2008 the United States President signed into law the United States-India
Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, which
approved the U.S.-India 123 Agreement.
(iv) India-United States bilateral trade grew from US$13.49 billion in 2001 to US$31.917
billion in 2006. India’s major export products include gems and jewelry, textiles,
organic chemicals and engineering goods. India main imports from the U.S. are
machinery, precious stones and metals, organic chemicals, optical and medical
instruments, aircraft and aviation machinery.
* Venezuela:
(i) In 2008, India Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas visited Venezuela for signing a
Joint Venture agreement on the San Cristobal oil field. Also, India Minister of State for
External Affairs paid a bilateral visit to Venezuela from 18-20 May, 2008. He
conveyed Venezuela's desire to diversify ongoing bilateral relations with India. A road
map for enhancing strategic and enduring cooperation between both countries in a
variety of sectors such as agriculture, energy and renewable energy, infrastructure
and transfer of technology was discussed.

HELP TO HAITI:

Donor Channel Description Funding (USD) Uncommitted Pledges (USD)
India Bilateral (to in kind - $1,000,000 0
affected for immediate
government) emergency relief
in quake-devastated Haiti