On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of India’s independence, celebrated on Saturday in Ankorondrano, the embassy reaffirmed its commitment to Madagascar.
A partnership that is taking concrete shape. India reaffirms its support for Madagascar in its development priorities across several areas, including humanitarian aid, health, training, and education. This dynamic was illustrated during the celebration of the 80th anniversary of India’s independence on Saturday at the Ibis Hotel in Ankorondrano.
“India reaffirms its commitment to Madagascar as a close maritime neighbor, a sister nation of the continent, and a family separated by the ocean, and attaches great importance to the centuries-old ties of friendship and the strong human relations that unite our nations,” emphasized Mohit Kumar, Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Madagascar.
Following cyclones and drought, the Indian government donated 5,000 tons of rice to the Malagasy people and government. “This gesture follows an initial delivery of 30 tons of humanitarian aid, including medicines, blankets, tents, and water tanks, which was transported by a C-17 aircraft and delivered in March,” the Chargé d’Affaires indicated.
Health is another concrete area of this cooperation. “India has provided state-of-the-art health services, particularly in radiotherapy at health facilities in Antananarivo. This has enabled the treatment of more than 1,800 cancer patients in Madagascar.” Through this support, India is placing its medical expertise at the service of the needs of the Great Island.
Skills development also occupies an important place. Hundreds of Malagasy civil servants have been able to strengthen their capacities through the ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) program. Furthermore, scholarships have been granted to deserving candidates under the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) program.
Both countries also claim a closeness based on common values. “Guided by the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), India has always stood firmly by Madagascar’s side, a sentiment that echoes the Malagasy cultural value of ‘Fihavanana’, which embodies social harmony, solidarity, and fraternity. This shared philosophical vision is reflected in the concrete support provided by India in humanitarian and development terms,” concluded the Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy.
Beyond the official celebration, the day was also marked by demonstrations of yoga and traditional Indian dances. These performances, characteristic of India, offered the public a glimpse of the country’s cultural richness and contributed to the festive atmosphere of the event.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-17 05:53:33 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/relations-diplomatiques-la-cooperation.html