India, Namibia sign five pacts

WINDHOEK, Aug 31 (PTI) — India and Namibia today signed five agreements aimed at boosting bilateral economic ties in the agriculture, technical cooperation and foreign office consultations as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee announced a $5 million line of credit to facilitate imports of Indian capital goods to the African country.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Mr Vajpayee and his Namibian counterpart Hage G. Geingob after which delegation-level talks were held between the two sides.

The agreement on agricultural cooperation envisages promotion and acceleration of research and training in scientific cultivation and improvement of production techniques of agricultural crops and animal husbandry through exchange of scientists and technologists.

Under another accord, the two governments agreed to strengthen bilateral ties on technical cooperation for economic and social development of the two countries.

This will be effected through a deputation of experts, short term training in technical institutions for upgrading professional skills and provision of consultancy services under the ITEC programme of the External Affairs Ministry.

India will also set up a Rs 3.2 crore plastic technology demonstration and common facility centre near here for which machines and equipment will be gifted and installed by the National Small Industries Corporation. This includes injection moulding, blow moulding, thermoforming, extrusion and plastic recycling.

The protocol on Foreign Office consultations provides for regular talks to review the implementation of agreements reached between the two countries and strengthen the process of exchange of views on international and bilateral issues.

These consultations will cover all important issues under discussion at the United Nations and other international fora and issues connected with the prevention of conflicts and peaceful settlement of international disputes.

The protocol also provides for cooperation in research on foreign policy issues, exchange of archival documents and preparation of compendia of documents pertaining to bilateral relations.

Earlier, in his speech before the signing ceremony, Mr Vajpayee expressed the hope the business communities of both countries would make full and early use of this credit in rupees as desired by the Namibian side.

Referring to long-standing relations between the two countries and India’s support to Namibian independence, the Prime Minister said while political ties between the two countries were on a sound and firm footing, economic and commercial relations had, however, not kept pace.

Expressing happiness over the setting up of a joint trade committee, Mr Vajpayee said he was confident that at its first meeting in New Delhi next February the committee would come up with creative and practical suggestions to stimulate bilateral trade and investment.

Mr Vajpayee said the two countries should work together to encourage Indian companies to use Namibia as a base for operations in southern Africa as well as tap the rich natural resources in Namibia such as natural gas and precious and semi-precious stones for mutual benefit.

Referring to the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, Mr Vajpayee said India was committed to cooperating with Namibia in the area of human resource development.

As two developing non-aligned nations both India and Namibia face common challenges, he said.

"It is, therefore, in our interest to work in a coordinated manner, in both our bilateral and multilateral relations," he added.

Meanwhile, Namibian President Sam Nujoma suggested more Indian business presence in the country to enhance bilateral trade relations.

At a banquet hosted by him in honour of Mr Vajpayee last night, Mr Nujoma paid glowing tributes to India’s long and continued support to the African cause, especially the Namibian freedom struggle.

India, Pak Foreign Secys meet again

DURBAN, Aug 31 (PTI) — Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan today met for the second time in less than 24 hours in their effort to break the deadlock over the resumption of the stalled bilateral dialogue process.

External Affairs Secretary K. Raghunath met his Pakistani counterpart Shamshad Ahmed on the sidelines of the NAM meeting, Additional Secretary in External Affairs Ministry Dilip Lahiri, said without giving details of the talks.

"Once again I am not at liberty to divulge any details about the discussions," he said.

The outcome of the discussions will be conveyed to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz who is leading his country’s delegation at the NAM Summit in the absence of Premier Nawaz Sharif, official sources said.

The two officials had "lengthy discussions" yesterday for the first time after their talks failed on the modalities of resumption of the dialogue in Colombo.

The negotiations had failed as Pakistan insisted that the Kashmir issue should be discussed first while India emphasised that the dialogue process should be "on the basis of a broad-based and composite approach".