Ministry of External Affairs Annual Report 2004 – 2005 Published by: Joint Secretary, Policy Planning and Research, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi This Annual Report can also be accessed at website: www.meaindia.nic.in Front Cover: Illustration of Central Secretariat buildings taken from original water colour painting by Shri Kashi Nath Das Designed and printed by: Cyberart Informations Pvt. Ltd. Kanu Chambers, 3rd Floor, C-2, Sanwal Nagar, New Delhi 110 049, INDIA Telefax: 26256148/26250700 E mail:
[email protected] Contents Executive Summary i-viii 1. India’s Neighbours 1 2. South East Asia and the Pacific 23 3. East Asia 39 4. Eurasia 46 5. The Gulf , West Asia and North Africa 52 6. Africa (South of Sahara) 61 7. Europe 79 8. The Americas 95 9. United Nations and International Organisations 106 10. Multilateral Economic Relations 125 11. Technical Cooperation 131 12. Investment and Trade Promotion 133 13. Policy Planning and Research 134 14. External Publicity 135 15. Protocol 139 16. Passport, Visa and Consular Services 145 17. Administration and Establishment 148 18. Coordination 151 19. Non Resident Indians and People of Indian Origin Overseas 152 20. Foreign Service Institute 153 21. Implementation of Official Language Policy and 155 Propagation of Hindi Abroad 22. Gender Issues 157 23. Cultural Relations 158 24. Indian Council of World Affairs 163 25. Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) 165 26. Library 170 27. Welfare 171 Appendices Appendix I Cadre strength at Headquarters and Missions/Posts