Mozambique calls for greater vigour in ties with India

Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor meeting with President of Mozambique, Armando Emilio Guebuza, during his visit to Mozambique to attend the inauguration ceremony at the commencement of the President’s second term of office.

Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza has expressed interest in imparting greater vigour and momentum to the close and cooperative relations between his country and India in his second term of office.

Mr Guebuza conveyed this to visiting Minister of State for External Affairs, who was in Maputo yesterday and today to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President on the commencement of his second term.

An official press release said the meeting between Dr Tharoor and Mr Guebuza enabled a discussion of issues of bilateral, regional and international interest.

Dr Tharoor had separate meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Science & Technology of Mozambique during which they discussed specific areas of bilateral interest and India's economic and scientific projects in that country.

Foreign Minister Eldemiro Boloi hosted a dinner in honour of Dr Tharoor. Earlier, the Indian Miister met leaders of Indian community associations at a function held at the residence of the High Commissioner.

Today, Dr Tharoor attended the elaborate inauguration ceremony of the Mozambique Presidency along with a number of Heads of State and Government and leaders of delegations from invited countries.

According to the release, India’s relations with Mozambique have been characterized by close and friendly relations since that country’s independence from colonial rule in 1975.

Close personal relations between the leadership of the two countries, including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Samora Machel and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President Joaquim Chissano, added to the warmth of bilateral ties, it said.

India’s political and moral support for Mozambique during its struggle for independence and its economic assistance over the years has been appreciated by the Government and people of Mozambique. Since the establishment of a Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between India and Mozambique in 2002, India has extended five Lines of Credit to Mozambique worth US$ 115 million for projects in the areas of rural electrification, water management and Information Technology.

Mozambique greatly values the Science & Technology park and research incubator financed under a Line of Credit and to be completed in two years. Capacity building support in several sectors is underway and the Pan African e-network project has been commissioned, the release said.

India is one of Mozambique’s larger trading and investment partners. Indian companies are active in the transport, minerals, energy and infrastructure development sectors.

"Dr. Tharoor’s visit is expected to further strengthen the close bilateral relations between the two countries and accelerate the ongoing programme of cooperation," the release added.

NNN