India-Gabon Relations

• 17 Aug 2022

For Prelims: UNSC, NAM, ISA

For Mains: India-Gabon Relations and its significance

Why in News?

Recently, A delegation from Gabon visited India and interacted with the Indian business community, also India congratulated Gabon on its Independence Day (17^th August).

• Earlier, the Vice President of India visited Gabon, where he signed two MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding).

What are the MoUs?

• Establishment of a Joint Commission between the Governments of India and Gabon.
• Diplomats’ training institutes, Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Services and Gabonese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • India signed to work with Gabon to strengthen cooperation in various spheres at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.

How has been the India-Gabon Partnership?

• Diplomatic:
  • India and Gabon have enjoyed warm and friendly relations dating back to the pre-independence era of Gabon.
  • Former Vice President of India visited the African nation of Gabon in May 2022 making it the first-ever high-level visit of India to Gabon.
  • Both India and Gabon are currently serving as non-permanent members of the UNSC (United Nation Security Council).
• Business and Trade:
  • The Bilateral trade between both nations reached USD 1.12 billion in 2021-22.
  • India is the 2^nd largest destination for Gabonese exports.
  • In the business sector, more than 50 Indian companies are engaged in the Gabon Special Economic Zone.
• Cooperation on International Forum:
  • Both India and Gabon are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
    • NAM focuses on mainstream contemporary issues of relevance to the developing world.
  • Gabon supports India’s candidature at various international forums.
    • India congratulated Gabon for getting elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council for the term 2022-23.
  • India supported for the Common African Position enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
    • The Ezulwini Consensus is a position on international relations and reform of the United Nations, agreed by the African Union.
      • It calls for a more representative and democratic Security Council, in which Africa, like all other world regions, is represented.
    • The Sirte Declaration (1999) was the resolution adopted to establish the African Union.
• International Solar Alliance:
  • Gabon was among the first countries to sign and ratify the International Solar Alliance agreement.
  • India conveyed to extend all possible assistance to Gabon to achieve its renewable energy targets.
    • Gabon plans to have 100% clean energy by 2030.
• Education:
  • A number of Gabonese nationals pursue scholarship/training programs offered by India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and ICCR schemes.
• Energy Cooperation:
  • India imported about USD 670 million worth crude oil from Gabon in 2021-22, making it an important partner for India’s energy security requirement.
• Indian Diaspora:
  • People from the Indian community are basically engaged in infrastructure projects, trading, export of timber and metal scrap.
  • The Indian diaspora have been making significant contributions in various fields in Gabon.
  • The Indian community in Gabon has kept Indian culture alive and major Indian festivals are celebrated by the entire community together.

Way Forward

• There is a need to Explore India-Gabon cooperation in green energy, services, health, and agriculture among other sectors.
• Both countries should broaden their economic partnership to attract investments.
• There is plethora of possibilities for cooperation in Agriculture such as knowledge transfer in the farming sector from India to Gabon.

Source: BS