Press Release

Visit of Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs to the Republic of Benin (21-23 October 2009)

20/10/2009

Dr. Shashi Tharoor is visiting the Republic of Benin from 21 to 23 October 2009. During the visit, Dr. Tharoor will be co-chairing the First Meeting of the India-Benin Joint Commission at Cotonou, along with Mr. Jean Marie Ehouzou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin. The Agreement to establish the India-Benin Joint Commission on political, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation was signed during the first-ever State Visit to India (3-7 March 2009) by Dr. Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin.

Republic of Benin is a shining example of multi-party democracy in a tolerant multi-ethnic society and will be celebrating its 50th year of Independence in 2010. India and Benin have friendly ties characterized by democracy and secularism. Benin is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and has cooperated with India in all international forums. It may be recalled that during the March 2009 Summit meetings at New Delhi, close convergence of opinions at the highest political levels was noted. President Yayi extended his unflinching support to India in her bid for a Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council as also for the non-permanent seat for the years 2011-12. He expressed solidarity with India in its efforts to tackle the scourge of terrorism, which has become the biggest threat to international peace and security in the current times.

Benin has been the recipient of bilateral assistance from India in the form of agricultural equipment, water pumps for irrigation, tractors and essential medicines including anti-retroviral drugs. Prime Minister had announced a US$2 million grant in March 2009 and Benin is utilizing this amount to get medical equipment, buses and computers from India. Concessional Lines of Credit worth US$33.80 million have been extended to Benin for rural electrification, purchase of railway equipment, agricultural equipment, and to undertake feasibility study for a cyber-city. Benin has also joined the Pan-African e-Network project of the Government of India and is availing the tele-medicine and tele-education facilities.

Apart from reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations and coordinating view-points on multilateral issues of concern at the Joint Commission meeting, Dr. Tharoor will also call on President Dr. Yayi and convey Government of India's commitment to further strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation.

While the official delegation includes representatives of RITES and NSIC (who have ongoing cooperation with Benin), a 15-member business delegation coordinated by CII is also visiting Cotonou for interaction with the Beninese business & industry. Dr. Tharoor will also be addressing both the Indian and Beninese business persons during the visit. He will be visiting the tele-medicine centre under the Pan-African e-Network project and flag off a Benin Railways train with an Indian locomotive. He will also interact with the small Indian community in Benin.

New Delhi
October 20, 2009