India Newsletter: February 2009

Address to the nation by the President of India, H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the eve of 60th Republic Day of India

My Dear Fellow Citizens,

Tomorrow, we will be celebrating our 60th Republic Day. I extend my good wishes to our citizens from all walks of life, living in the country and overseas. I convey my special greetings to the members of our Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces who guard our frontiers on land, sea and air. I also extend my greetings to the Central and State level police forces, including our internal security forces. Today is also an occasion to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for the safety and security of the nation. We owe a deep gratitude to them.

Full text of the speech can be read at http://presidentofindia.nic.in/sp250109.html

Republic Day celebrations at the Embassy Residence

The 60^th Republic Day of India was celebrated at the Embassy Residence on 26 January. Ambassador Debabrata Saha unfurled the National flag and read out the President's message. Apart from members of the Mission, the function was attended by members of the local Indian community and friends of India in Ukraine.

Political

Conference of Heads of Indian Missions abroad
A Conference of Heads of Missions (HOMs) abroad, inaugurated by the External Affairs Minister, was held in New Delhi from 22 to 24 December, 2008. The HoMs were received by the President and Vice-President and were addressed by the Prime Minister. The Ministers of State for External Affairs also addressed the HoMs during the Conference as did a large number of senior officials and dignitaries. The sessions covered the entire spectrum of issues concerning our foreign policy including politics, security and defence, economic and cultural issues, as well as challenges of food and energy security and the environment. The recent developments involving Pakistan were also discussed. Issues related to institutional efficiency and measures for even more effective functioning of Indian Missions abroad were also discussed.

State Visit of President of Maldives to India
President of the Republic of Maldives His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Laila Ali, paid a state visit to India from 23 to 25 December 2008. During the visit, President Nasheed called on President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who hosted a banquet in his honour. The Vice President of India, the External Affairs Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chairperson of United Progressive Alliance called on the President of Maldives. H.E. President Nasheed also held official level discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral interest covering defence and security, trade and investment, health, tourism, information and communications technology, science and technology, transportation and air services, higher education, non-conventional energy, fisheries, culture, education and training.

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2009
The 7^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was organized at Chennai from 7 to 9 January 2009 by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The PBD convention provides a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin settled all over the world on matters of common interest. Such conventions help the Government to better understand the expectations of the overseas indian community from the land of their ancestors and acknowledge the important role played by it in India's efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations. The theme for PBD-2009 was 'Engaging the Diaspora - The way forward'. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the PBD Convention and President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil delivered the valedictory address and presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2009. The convention was attended by over 1500 delegates from all over the world.

Visit of H.E. President Hamid Karzai to India
His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, visited India from 11 to 12 January 2009. During the visit, President Karzai expressed Afghanistan's solidarity with the government and people of India in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack and called for full compliance with bilateral, multilateral and international obligations of States to prevent terrorism in any manner originating from territories under their control. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress in bilateral development and reconstruction projects in all parts of Afghanistan. PM Dr. Manmohan Singh conveyed to President Karzai that, following the completion of the road from Zaranj to Delaram, the Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul transmission line and the sub-station at Chimtala, will be handed over shortly to the Government of Afghanistan. The leaders also expressed their satisfaction that the construction of the Afghan Parliament, a symbol of the common commitment of both countries to pluralism and democracy, has also begun. Prime Minister Dr. Singh further conveyed that India will gift 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan to help in tiding over their current food crisis. The two leaders reaffirmed the special relationship between India and Afghanistan, to build a strong, united, and prosperous Afghanistan and to work towards peace, stability and development of the entire region.

Visit of President of Republic of Kazakhstan to India
His Excellency Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, paid a state visit to India from 23 to 26 January 2009. He participated as the Guest of Honour at the Republic Day Parade. President Nazarbayev held talks with the President of India. During the visit, the Vice President of India, the External Affairs Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chairperson of United Progressive Alliance called on the President of Kazakhstan. The two sides expressed satisfaction over cooperation in the fields of health and medicine, science and technology, space activities, information technology and education. A number of agreements/MOUs were signed including an Extradition Treaty between the two countries, a Bilateral Protocol on the Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization, an MOU between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and National Company KazAtomProm and an MOU between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the National Space Agency of Kazakhstan on cooperation in the field of space activities. The two sides also decided to organize Days of India in Kazakhstan and Days of Kazakhstan in India in the near future. The Indian side conveyed appreciation for the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) initiative of President Nazarbayev which is emerging as an important multilateral forum fostering peace and stability in Asia. This was President Nazarbayev's fourth visit to India, the earlier ones being in 1992, 1996 and 2002.

Visit of EAM to Sri Lanka
External Affairs Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited Sri Lanka from 27 to 28 January 2009 and held discussions with H.E. President Rajapaksa covering recent developments in Sri Lanka, the entire gamut of India-Sri Lanka relations and regional issues of mutual interest. EAM stressed that military victories offered a political opportunity to restore life to normalcy in the Northern Province and throughout Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan President assured EAM that this was his intent. EAM expressed India's readiness to participate in the reconstruction of northern Sri Lanka so as to overcome the ravages of war. He expressed satisfaction over the progress towards the establishment of a 500 MW thermal power project near Trincomalee by NTPC from India. H.E. President Rajapaksa assured that they would move as quickly as possible to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution, which followed the India-Sri Lanka agreement of 1987. The Sri Lankan Government reassured that they would respect the safe zones and minimize the effects of conflict on Tamil civilians. EAM informed that India would continue to extend relief supplies to civilians caught up in the zone of conflict and make all efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

Defence

Aero India-2009: Ukrainian Defence Delegation's visit
Aero India is Asia's premier and biggest Air Show, which is held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore in India once in two years. This show was first held in the year 1996. The aim of this exposition is to bring the aviation exhibitors from all around the world under one roof, to showcase the best in aviation. The Exposition includes both flight and static displays of a wide range of civil and military aircraft from leading manufacturers, vendors and suppliers from the aviation industries of the whole world. It is organized by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

The Seventh Aero India 2009 - Aerospace Exposition was held from 11 to 15 February 2009. Invitations Brochures received from the organizers of the event were distributed among leading aviation companies in Ukraine. Some of the major Ukrainian aviation companies which participated in the air show were SpetsAviaKomplekt, Omega Plant (Sevastopol), Lutsk, Luhansk and Lviv aircraft repair plants of Ukraine's Defence Ministry, Konotop Aircraft Repair Plant Aviakon, Krasyliv Aggregate Plant and Radionis, Antonov Aeronautical Scientific & Technical Complex, FED Corporation, Ivchenko Progress Design Office, Aviant and Motor Sich JSC.
The Ukrainian delegation to the Aero Space Exposition was led by the Minister of Industrial Policy of Ukraine H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Novytskyi and consisted of dignitaries from the Aviation industries of Ukraine. For the first time, a high level defence delegation from Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine consisting of Lt Gen Vasyl Semenovych Nikiforov, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine & Lieutenant Colonel Olexander Volodymyrovych Kobersky, Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, also visited the exposition. During the visit, the Ukrainian delegation called on the Indian Defence Minister and Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force. It also interacted with various foreign aviation firms and witnessed the flying and static displays personifying the prowess of the aviation industry in India; and was particularly impressed with the flying display by the 'SARANG' helicopter aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force which is the only one of its kind in the world.

Economic and commerce

India story lures foreign companies
Contrary to popular perception, foreign firms invested more in Indian companies through strategic partnerships in 2008 compared with 2007. Among the cross-border mergers & acquisition (M&A) deals in 2008, inbound deals rose nearly 50% compared with a growth of 30% in the previous year. According to dealmakers, although company valuations have fallen steeply, the control premium (the extra price that a strategic investor offers to pay over the prevailing market price) on Indian companies is still in the range of 60-75%. According to corporate advisors, foreign companies, with sufficient cash levels, will continue to look for expansion opportunities in India.

IPO market likely to boom in second half
India may be in the throes of a meltdown but slowdown may just be the last word in your thoughts if you look at the initial public offering (IPO) estimates for 2009. And it is not just doubling or tripling, India Inc may actually be gearing up to raise four times the proceeds it collected from the primary market in 2008. According to a Thomson Reuters study, India Inc is eyeing to raise as much as $ 15.5 billion through public issues. This is in sharp contrast to 2008, when IPOs garnered only about $ 4.4 billion. Even in terms of number of offerings, a growth of 20% is expected in 2009. While only 36 public issues were seen in action in 2008, the number is expected to reach 44 this year.

More IT projects likely to come India's way: PWC
At a time when customers in the US are battling with economic recession, they will send more information technology projects to India, in order to bring down their costs of operations, according to a study done by Offshoring Research Network (ORN), in alliance with Duke University and research firm PricewterhouseCoopers.

India to emerge as global innovation hub: Evalueserve
With India aiming to increase its research and development expenditure in the coming years, the country is likely to emerge as the next global hub for innovation and join the club of developed nations, as per a study conducted by global research and analytics firm "Evalueserve".
"The move will catapult India to the league of developed nations that spend 2.5% of their GDP on R&D, on an average," the study titled 'R&D Ecosystem in India', by the British and Canadian High Commissions in India said.
The R&D ecosystem in the country comprises various supporting infrastructure, government departments, research organizations, funding institutions and industry associations. The scenario becomes feasible as the government is focusing on public-private partnerships, such as knowledge parks and incubator programmes, to promote commercialization, transfer and diffusion of technology, the study added.

Services industry maintains growth: FICCI
Amid the prevailing global economic scenario, the services industry has managed to maintain growth momentum, though at a lower rate, according to a survey by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The growth registered in the increase in the number of wireless subscribers, internet subscribers, earnings of the railways through passenger and freight traffic, foreign tourists are some of the categories that have posted a reasonable growth during April-November 2008 as compared to the previous fiscal, said the survey.

Indian automobile export registers 63% growth
The exports of passenger cars during the first 10 months of the financial year 2008-09 grew by 63.01% to 271,999 units, compared with 166,859 units in the previous year, according to the society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Indian economy - Opportunities Unlimited: presentation January 2009

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into India during April-October 2008 amounted to $18.7 billion.
• During April-October 2008, exports amounted to $ 107.3 billion, registering a growth of 23.3% year on year.
• In 2008, a total of 454 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals and 312 private equity (PE) deals worth $41.54 billion were signed. The total value of M&A deals was close to $31 billion. The PE deal value was $11 billion.
• India's foreign exchange reserves stood at $254.75 billion as on January 9, 2009.

Morgan Stanley to invest in stock broking arm
Morgan Stanley is investing $ 20.49 million into its Indian retail stock broking and portfolio management services firm, Morgan Stanley India Financial Services.

Goldman Sachs injects $ 75.63 million into NBFC
The Goldman Sachs group has announced a capital infusion of $ 75.63 million in its wholly-owned non-banking financial company, Pratham Investments and Trading, taking the company's total capital base to $ 99.13 million.

StarragHeckert to invest $ 31 million
StarragHeckert, a Switzerland-based manufacturer of machine tools, has announced plans to invest $ 31 million in India in two phases, as a part of extending its footprint in India.

Culture and Tourism

Dances of Indian Gods

The Theatre of Indian dance "Kamadeva" (Director Michael Kryvchuk) presented a dance program "Dances of Indian Gods" on 11 January in the Kyiv House of Actor. Also the artists of the dance group "Laxmi Samarpana" were invited to present a few items in the traditional Indian dance style Kuchipudi.

Michael Kryvchuk, renowned for his highly professional choreography in the fusion style and unique costumes, performed the dance of the Sun God - Surya, expressing three stages of the Sun: sunrise, noon and sunset. Also he presented the dance of Peacock - the most beautiful bird rejoicing the rain.

Tetyana Dykan, a graduate from the Delhi dance institute "Natya Ballet Centre", presented the dances "Shiva - Shankara" and "Ashoka", both in Chhau dance style, which is a marshal dance form originally from Orissa. "Shiva-Shankara" is a description of Lord Shiva - one of the main gods of Hinduism and "Ashoka" depicts the life story of the great emperor of ancient India.

Tourism - India Calls
Udaipur

Set amidst three lakes and hemmed in by the lush Aravali Hills, Udaipur is an alluring city in Rajasthan's far south, about 420 km from the state capital Jaipur. The legends of bravery of its Rajput rulers combined with the exotic locale, marvelous marble and sandstone palaces, beautifully laid out gardens, intricately carved temples and narrow lanes flanked by colourful stalls produce a mesmerizing effect on the visitor. Built in 16th century by Maharana Udai Singh, the ruler of the princely state of Mewar, Udaipur city embodies the very best in Rajput art & architecture and culture & tradition.

Attractions
• City Palace: Located on the edge of Pichola Lake, this palace with many beautiful structures built by successive generations of rulers within its confines, is the largest in Rajasthan. There is plenty to see in the complex such as Elephant Gate, Suraj Gokhada (balcony from which the rulers gave audience to their subjects), Peacock Square, City Palace Museum, royal courtyards, Ruby Palace, Pearl Palace, Bari Mahal (the central garden with a view of the city), Zenana Mahal (ladies' chamber) and Lakshmi Chowk (a beautiful white pavilion).
• Fateh Prakash Palace: In a separate enclosure within the City Palace complex are Shiv Niwas and Fateh Prakash Palace that have been converted into super luxurious heritage hotels. Fateh Prakash Palace also has a rare collection of crystals, including tables, sofa sets, dining table, dressers, fountains, beds, and a whole array of washing bowls, decanters and perfume bottles. The Durbar Hall here is the most lavish of all in India.
• Lake Pichola: This picturesque lake, 4 km long and 3 km wide, was enlarged by the city's founder and encloses Jag Niwas Island and Jag Mandir, with the City Palace as its backdrop on its eastern bank.
• Fateh Sagar Lake: Surrounded by hills and woodland, this lake to the north of Lake Pichola was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 and later reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh. The beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake.
• Lake Palace: Located on the Jag Niwas Island and covering the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of Pichola Lake, this royal summer palace dating back to1743 is now a five-star heritage hotel that retains much of its regal splendour.
• Jag Mandir: Also located in Lake Pichola, this complex was built as a hideout for Prince Khurram (who later came to be known as Shah Jahan), the estranged son of Mughal emperor Jehangir. Shah Jahan stayed here in 1623-24 and is said to have derived some of the ideas for the Taj Mahal from this palace. Udaipur's largest and most famous temple dedicated to Lord Jagdish (Lord Vishnu), and a museum, are also located within this island palace.
• Maharana Pratap Memorial: An impressive bronze statue of legendary Udaipur ruler Maharana Pratap astride his famous horse Chetak stands at the top of Moti Magri (Pearl Mount) overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake. The ruins of one of the first forts of Udaipur and a charming Japanese rock garden near the memorial are also worth seeing.
• Shilpgram or Craftsmen's Village: This ethnographic museum depicting the craft, art and culture of various Indian states, is housed in 26 huts spread over 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills. A colourful craft festival is held here during winter seasons.

Nearby Attractions: These include Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranakpur (famous for its 15th century Jain temples) Chittorgarh (which boasts of the largest hilltop fort), Haldighati (the site of the famous battlebetween Maharana Pratap and Mughal emperor Akbar in 1576), and Sajjangarh, where an 18th century palace perched 2,468 feet atop Bansdara Mountain, dominates Udaipur's skyline.

For more on India tourism, visit:
www.rtdc.org
www.tourindia.com
www.tourismofindia.com