India-Ukraine Relations

Political Relations:

Immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Government of India recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent country in December 1991. The Embassy of India in Kyiv was established in May 1992 and Ukraine opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993. India and Ukraine enjoy warm and friendly relations. The year 2012 marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Ukraine. The MOUs/Agreements signed between India and Ukraine include agreements on Avoidance of Double Taxation, Promotion and Protection of Investments, Air Service Agreement, Extradition Treaty, Cooperation in Science and Technology, Cooperation in Space Research, Foreign Office Consultation, Defence Cooperation, Visa Free Travel by the holders of Diplomatic Passports.

The recent visits:

President of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Victor Yanukovych, paid a State visit to India from December 9 -11, 2012. He was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence, Minister of Agriculture, senior officials and a large business delegation. During the visit, the two sides signed agreements in the field of mutual legal assistance; defence cooperation, science and technology; nuclear safety and standardization. The Indo-Ukrainian Business Forum was jointly hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in New Delhi. India and Ukraine have agreed to enhance mutually beneficial defence, cultural, educational, investment and other ties. During the visit, a Joint Statement was issued. Earlier in 2011, Minister of Tourism, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai visited Ukraine from September 24-26, 2011. A Joint India-Ukraine Tourism Forum was set up during the visit. The then Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko paid an official visit to India from November 24-27, 2011.

The India-Ukraine Inter-governmental Commission for cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technological, industrial and cultural cooperation, established in April 1994, has so far held four meetings. Minister of State for External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed visited Kyiv from May 30 to June 2, 2012 to co-host its 4th meeting. A protocol was jointly signed by him and Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, Mr. P. Poroshenko.

India gave a grant of US$ 1 million to Ukraine in 2012 for the Chernobyl Shelter Fund administered by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as announced during the Kyiv Summit for Safe and Innovative use of Nuclear Energy on April 19, 2011 (25th anniversary of Chernobyl tragedy).

ITEC Assistance/Other Training Programmes:

India offers 17 scholarships to Ukraine under ITEC (15) and ICCR (2) schemes.

Trade and Economic Relations:

India’s bilateral trade registered an increase of 48.26% from USD 1,932.73 million in 2010-11 to USD 2,865.45 million in 2011-12 (India’s exports were USD 491.22 million and imports were USD 2,374.23 million). The trade figures for the last 5 years are as follows: Values in US $ Millions S.No. 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 1. EXPORT 400.04 400.70 289.03 514.28 491.22 2. %Growth 0.17 -27.87 77.93 -4.48 3. IMPORT 883.50 1,538.13 1,593.52 1,418.46 2,374.23 4. %Growth 74.09 3.60 -10.99 67.38 5. TOTAL TRADE 1,283.54 1,938.83 1,882.55 1,932.73 2,865.45 6. %Growth 51.05 -2.90 2.67 48.26 [Source: DGCI&S]

India is the second largest exporter of pharmaceutical products to Ukraine in volume terms. A number of Indian companies like Tata Motors, Ranbaxy, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory, Sun Group etc have their representative offices in Ukraine. Representatives of major pharmaceutical companies have set up an ‘Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association in Ukraine.

Made in India Show:

The Ministry of Commerce through FICCI held the first ever exclusive Made in India Show in Kyiv from September 5-9, 2012. FICCI also held Business Buyer- Seller Meet and a Joint Business Council meeting during the India Show.

Culture:

There is an interest in Indian culture in Ukraine at the public level, covering various aspects of Indian art, culture, literature, yoga, philosophy, and spirituality. There are more than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations/groups spread across the country, engaged in the promoting Indian dances. Most groups have learnt the Indian dances on their own and are promoting the same through festivals and running dance classes. An organization called “All Ukrainian Association of Indologists” is engaged in organizing seminars, exhibitions on different topics relating to India. In 2012, the Embassy with the support of India Club organized cultural events in Ukraine to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Ukraine. A short term India Chair was set up at the Institute of international Relations, Taras Shevcenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. All Ukrainian-Indian Dance Festival with 25 dance groups from different regions of Ukraine was held on September 22, 2012. ICCR sponsored MotherJane rock band performed in Yalta, Simferopol, Odessa Kharkov and Kyiv in September 2012. There are about 40 students learning Hindi and eight

2 Ukrainian Hindi teachers in various universities. Four Ukrainian organization/artistes, involved in the promotion of Indian dance and culture, were given grant-in-aid last year. There has been a growing interest among the Ukrainian tourists to visit India. The number of business and tourist visas to Ukrainian visitors has been on the rise.

A Ukrainian Hindi teacher Ms. Katerina Dubovnya of the Taras Shevchenko National University, Kyiv was awarded the Vishwa Hindi Samman at 9th World Hindi Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2012.

Indian community:

The size of the Indian community in Ukraine, excluding students, is estimated to be about one thousand. There are about 3,500 Indian students enrolled in various Ukrainian medical/technical universities. Most Indians in Ukraine are in private business or representing various Indian firms. The local Indian community has formed an association called “India Club” which organizes cultural events to project India’s rich cultural heritage with special focus on India- Ukrainian friendship.

**** February, 2013

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