India–Gabon Relation
Source: Business Standard
GS II: International Relation, Policies and Developmental Studies 

What is discussed under India–Gabon relation?

1. About Gabon
2. India–Gabon relation
3. Visit of vice president of India to Gabon (2022): Highlights

Why in News?

1. A delegation from Gabon visited India and interacted with the Indian business community.
2. India congratulated Gabon on its Independence Day celebrated on 17th August and expressed confidence in the bilateral ties and comprehensive strategic partnership between both nations.

About Gabon

• • Gabon (Gabonese Republic) is a country on the west coast of Central Africa.
  • It is home to over 2.3 million people.
  • The majority of Gabonese speak their native tongues, however, French is the only official language.
  • The presidential republic form of government is stated under the 1961 constitution.
  • The independent nation of Gabon has had three presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1960.
  • Approximately 46% of the government budget, 43% of the GDP, and 81% of exports are funded by oil income.
  • The ‘next-most-important’ sources of revenue include logging and manganese mining.

India–Gabon Relations

History

• • Gabon–India relations refer to the international relations that exist between Gabon and India.

    

  • Gabon maintains an embassy in New Delhi.
  • The Embassy of India in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is jointly accredited to Gabon.
  • Several Gabonese ministers have visited India in 2007, and in 2015 to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi.
  • Gabon was visited by India in 2015 and 2022.
  • In 2022 visit, both sides held a series of bilateral engagements advancing cooperation across spheres including trade, investment, energy, ICT, capacity building, health, pharmaceuticals and more.

Trade

• • The bilateral trade between both nations reached USD 1.12 billion in 2021-22.
  • India is the 2nd largest destination for Gabonese exports.
  • Commodities exported by India are meat, plastic and articles thereof, machinery and mechanical appliances, pharmaceuticals, cotton, iron and steel.
  • Commodities imported to India are wood and wood articles, mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation,  ores, slag and ash.
  • India imported about US$ 670 million worth of crude oil from Gabon in 2021-22.
  • More than 50 Indian companies are engaged in Gabon Special Economic Zone.
  • There are around 800 Indians living in Gabon.
  • They are basically engaged in infrastructure projects, trading, and export of timber and metal scrap.

India’s investments in Gabon

• • Oil India Ltd. [OIL], in partnership with Indian Oil Ltd., is conducting oil exploration in Shakti Block, Lamberele.
  • Bharti Airtel is present in Gabon following its acquisition of Zain Communications Network in 2010.
  • More than 20 Indian companies have set up units in Gabon’s SEZ since 2016 for veneer manufacturing.
  • 3F Oil Palm Agrotech Ltd. is looking to invest in a palm oil project in Gabon.
  • MOIL is exploring the possibility of acquiring manganese ore mines in Gabon.

• • Both India and Gabon are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
  • Gabon supports India’s candidature at various international forums.
  • India congratulated Gabon for getting elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2022-23.

Education

• • Many Gabonese citizens enrol in training programmes and scholarships provided by India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and ICCR schemes.

Visit of Vice President of India to Gabon (2022): Highlights

• • The prime minister of Gabon and the vice president of India addressed active economic engagement and new opportunities for collaboration, notably in the fields of agriculture, green energy, mining, health and pharma, ICT, defence, and maritime security.
  • Both countries acknowledged the need for collaboration in critical sectors for capacity building and skill development/training.
  • Gabonese side requested to open our resident mission in Libreville.
  • As non-permanent members of the UNSC, India and Gabon have agreed to collaborate closely on issues related to climate change, terrorism prevention, and UN reform.
  • A unique training programme at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Services for a group of 20 Gabonese diplomats was announced by the vice president during the visit.
  • Both sides signed two MoUs/Agreements: 
    • MoU for cooperation between India’s SSIFS and Gabon’s ministry of foreign affairs.
    • An agreement for the establishment of a Joint Commission between two foreign ministries.

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