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Punjab Journal of Politics, Vol.XXXIV, No. 1-2, 2010, pp.19-42
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INDIA AND MOZAMBIQUE: EXPANDING RELATIONS ACROSS INDIAN OCEAN
Mohammed Khalid*
India stood for the independence of the countries like Mozambique and
Tanzania among others throughout 1970s and 1980s. It is designed to
promote economic cooperation, engage the Indian Diaspora strongly
present in these countries, combat terrorism and sea piracy, assist the
build up of their defence forces and promote cooperation in the Indian
Ocean. Geographically crowning the Indian Ocean realm, mounted by
recent industrial and technological development, India is expanding its
pangs around. Indian Ocean region has come out to be the natural
sphere of India’s foreign policy in the 21st century. The present essay is
an attempt to dig out the expanse and level of cooperation with
Mozambique-a poor but geopolitically important country on the
African littoral of the Indian Ocean.
Relationship between India and eastern coast of Africa can be tracked
back to centuries when migrations and trade from India’s western coast
began to the coastal land of Africa. When colonialism encompassed India
and Africa, the colonial powers created their own trade networks across the
Indian Ocean. But at the same time the relationship continued to grow
between the two peoples of India and Mozambique. As anti-colonial
struggles dawned on Africa in the 1950s and 1960s, India unfailingly
showed a great emotional and political solidarity with the countries of that
continent. India stood also for the independence of the countries like
Mozambique and Tanzania among others, throughout 1970s and 1980s.
During the Cold War India convinced and roped in many of these countries
to Non-alignment and Afro-Asian solidarity as a viable and fruitful way to
promote economic cooperation with them. After the end colonialism and
institutionalised racialism in the African continent and the demise of
erstwhile USSR, India refurbished its Africa policy. It was
*Department of Evening Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh
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designed to promote economic cooperation, engage the Indian Diaspora strongly present in these
countries, combat terrorism and sea piracy, assist the build up of their defence forces and promote
cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Emergence of this new partnership has strengthened bilateral
relations and created tremendous goodwill for India. Geographically crowning the Indian Ocean
realm, mounted by recent industrial and technological development, India is expanding its pangs
around. The Ocean rim has come out to be the natural sphere of India’s foreign policy in the 21 st
century. Indian state and its corporate sector is showing increasing presence in different parts of
the Ocean littoral and looking for further avenues to develop multifaceted and multi-level
cooperation with them. The present essay is an attempt to dig out the expanse and level of
cooperation with Mozambique –a poor but geopolitically important country on the African littoral
of the Indian Ocean.
Mozambique: a profile
Previously known as Portuguese East Africa, Republic of Mozambique
(Portuguese-República de Moçambique), having an area of 801,590 sq km is situated in
southeastern Africa. The country has a coastline of 2,470 km in the Indian Ocean to its
east. Mozambique’s border to the north runs with Tanzania for 756 km; to the northwest
with Malawi for 1,569 km and Zambia 419 km; to the west with Zimbabwe for 1,231 km;
to the southwest with Swaziland 105 km and South Africa 491 km. Its maritime seas
extend for 12 nautical miles (22 km) and exclusive economic zone up to 200 nautical
miles (370 km.). About 1,600 km adjoining sea in Mozambique Channel is an important
shipping route round the southern tip of Africa in the Indian Ocean.1
Mozambique has tremendous geopolitical importance which transcends its
geographic position. Its long coastline and three major ports of Maputo, Beira, and
Nacala are all ideally suited for naval bases and have long been coveted by the great
powers. These ports, from which a great power could interdict, or at least disrupt, Indian
Ocean commerce and alter the balance of power in Southern Africa, also offer
international gateways to the landlocked countries of the region. These ports can
significantly facilitate Africa’s integration into the global economy and help to expand
the Continent’s access to markets in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. This
geopolitical importance is vital in the current
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posturing of the world economy where Africa is seeking to consolidate its position.
Mozambique’s strategic position is crucial to the countries of Southern African
Development Community (SADC) --which includes 14 countries of South Africa and
Island states of Mauritius and Seychelles etc. Landlocked states of Zimbabwe, Malawi
and Zambia that border Mozambique are aware of the importance of the country as its
harbours in Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, and Quelimane provide access to
the sea route for their exports.2 These states as well as the rest of the SADC have a direct
concern in political stability of Mozambique. These landlocked neighbours are intimately
affected and their political, social and economic survival heavily depends on what
happens in Mozambique.
After almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony, Mozambique became
independent in 1975. On gaining freedom, a large number of white population emigrated
from the country. Shortly after independence, it was declared as People's Republic of
Mozambique. This was followed by an intense civil war after 1977.3 In 1987 the
government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the
economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) supported Mozambique’s such
sustained efforts to adjust its economy to marketisation.4 In 1989 the ruling party --Front
for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO)-- formally abandoned Marxism and
embarked upon liberalisation of its economy.5 In 1990 a new constitution was adopted,
which provided for multiparty elections and economic reforms. United Nation negotiated
a peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance
(RENAMO) forces, thereby ending the violence in 1992. With the end of Communism,
Mozambique painstakingly, but gradually, transformed itself from one party state to a
democratic system and from planned economy to liberal market mechanisms. As a result,
economic growth climbed from an average of 6.7% to 10% between 1996 and 1998 on an
average of 8% between 1996 and 2006. Through the adoption of a prudent fiscal and
monetary policy, inflation was reduced from 50% in 1995 to less than one percent in
1998.6 Since then the government has managed to maintain these levels and keep to its
inflation target rate of less than 5.5%. The devastating floods of early 2000 slowed GDP
growth to 2.1% but the growth recovered to reach the mark
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of 14.8% in 2001. In 2003, the growth rate was 7%. The government projects the
economy to continue to expand between 7%-10% a year for the next five years.
Government introduced a value-added tax and reformed customs service which improved
the government's revenue collection. More than 1,200 state-owned enterprises (mostly
small) were privatised. Many more of the remaining parastatal enterprises, including
telecommunications, energy, ports, and railways are in the process of privatization.7
However, economic expansion in the future hinges on several more economic reforms,
and the revival of the agriculture, transportation, tourism sectors and foreign investment.
Mozambique has already embarked on a campaign to encourage Foreign Direct
Investment by establishing legal and institutional frameworks.
In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance
for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the
poverty line. Mozambique is generally considered an ‘aid success story.’ The IMF in
early 2007 called ‘Mozambique is a success story in Sub-Saharan Africa.’ Country’s
once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling
under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives,
and is now at a manageable level.8 Yet, both the World Bank and UNICEF called it a
‘paradox’ to describe rising chronic child malnutrition in the face of GDP.9 Subsistence
agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce. A
substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the MOZAL aluminum
smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date has increased export
earnings.
Mozambique had a population of 21 million in 2008 with about 23.8% Catholic,
17.5% Zionist Christian, and 17.8% Muslim, among others. With about 70% population
living below poverty line as per 2001 estimates, the country had literacy rate of 47.8%
(male: 63.5% female: 32.7%) in 2003.10 The country is among the worst ranked in life
expectancy and infant mortality rates. Its Human Development Index is one of the lowest
on earth. Mozambique had an estimated GDP (purchasing power parity) of US$23.38
billion in 2004 with real growth rate of 8.2%. Per capita GDP was estimated at $1,200 in
the same year.11 The fertility rate is at about 5.5 births per woman. In 2004, Public expenditure on health
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was at 2.7 % of the GDP whereas private expenditure on health was at 1.3 %. Health
expenditure per capita was US$ 42 in 2004. In the first decade of the 21 st century, there
were 3 physicians per 100,000 persons in the country. Infant mortality was at 100 per
1,000 births in 2005. HIV prevalence among 15 to 49 year olds exceeds 10 %.12
Mozambique’s economy is predominantly agricultural. Around 83 per cent (8 1%
according to some estimats) of the labour force is engaged in agriculture and it
contributes 21.1% of the GDP (34 % including allied sectors). Only about 6 per cent of
the total land area is cultivated. The main cash crops include cashew nuts, sugar cane,
cotton, copra, and tea. Basic food crops are maize, cassava, wheat, peanuts, cashew nuts,
potatoes, rice, and beans. Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry are also raised. About
98.9 percent of the rural poor in Mozambique own land, with an average of 2.5 hectares
per household. Many small holder farmers can only produce enough for subsistence
only.13 Forests cover about 25 per cent of the land area still there is hardly any
commercial forestry and most of the 18 million cu mt of wood cut in 2004 was used for
fuel.
Food-processing, cotton-ginning, and the manufacture of steel, machinery, refined
petroleum, clothing, and textiles are principal industries in Mozambique. Food,
beverages, and tobacco processing account for 62% of all manufacturing. Locally
produced raw materials, such as sugar, cashews, tea, and wheat are processed. Brewing,
production of textiles, cement and fertilizeras well as manufacturing of agricultural
implement was started in the 1980s. Apart from this glass, soaps, oils, ceramics, paper,
tires, railway equipment, radio, bicycles, and matches are produced in the country. There
are only 11 large state-owned companies, which include national airlines, telephone,
electricity, insurance, oil and gas exploration, port and rail, airports, water supply, and
fuel distribution. A large aluminium plant which is a joint overseas investment venture,
opened in September 2000. Vvirtually all manufacturing is located in the major urban
areas of Maputo, Beira, and Nampula. Industry contributed 30.9% to country’s GDP and
employed only 6% of the labour force.14
Service sector, the most valuable area of economic activity, contributed 45.6
percent to the GDP in 2008. About 13 percent of the labour force was engaged in the
service sector according to 1998 estimates.15
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The largest contributor to the service sector is business, which alone constituted 19.5
percent of GDP in 1999. The business class consists of small elite which is engaged in
business activities are trading and distribution. Other important service activities include
finance, transport, communication, and retail. Tourism is a relatively marginal component
of the country’s economy. Restaurants and hotels accounted for a meager 1.2 percent of
GDP in 1999. There is a strong potential for the development of the tourism sector, given
the country's long coastline with superb beaches, the existence of several attractions of
historical interest and the great diversity of flora and wildlife.
Mozambique has substantial and valuable mineral resources. It has world's largest reserve
of columbotantalite, which is used to make nuclear reactors and aircraft and missile parts.
It is located in Zambezia Province in central Mozambique. The country is the second
most important producer of beryllium, another highly desired strategic mineral. Long and
violent civil war however prevented the exploration and development of these resources.
Other resources include large deposits of coal, iron, and salt. Diamonds, asbestos, mineral
sands, and bauxite are also found. There are small deposits of copper, gold, manganese,
titanium, and offshore natural gas.16 It has started a US$700 million project to expand
natural gas fields at Pande in 1995.
After independence Mozambique's foreign policy has primarily focused on
maintenance of good relations with its neighbours and expansion of ties with donor
countries or those countries that supported country’s liberation struggle. India is one of
such countries. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Mozambique's foreign policy was
inextricably linked to the struggle for majority rule in Rhodesia and South Africa.17
Mozambique enforced UN sanctions against Rhodesia and deny that country access to the
sea. In retaliation, Ian Smith's regime of Rhodesia, undertook overt and covert actions to
destabilize Mozambique. Thus it started sponsoring the rebel group RENAMO. Even the
apartheid regime in South Africa continued to finance the destabilization of Mozambique
during 1980s.18
After the end of apartheid, Mozambique established diplomatic relations with
South Africa, in October 1993. At times it had strained relations with neighboring
Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania but overall Mozambique's ties to these countries
remain strong. In the years immediately following its independence, Mozambique benefited from
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considerable assistance from some western countries, notably the Scandinavians. Besides,
Moscow and its allies became Mozambique's primary economic, military, and political
supporters. Her foreign policy reflected this linkage as well.19 Mozambique opted to be
non-aligned and acted as moderate member of the African Bloc in the United Nations and
other international organizations. Mozambique also belongs to the Organization of
African Unity/African Union and the Southern African Development Community
(SADC). In 1994, the country became a full member of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference. Thus the country succeeded in part to broadening its base of international
support and appeasing its sizeable Muslim population at the same time. Similarly in early
1996, Mozambique joined its Anglophone neighbours in the Commonwealth. In the same
year, Mozambique became a founding member and the first President of the Community
of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and maintains close ties with other Lusophone
states.
Indians in Mozambique The area where Mozambique is situated was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498.
The Portuguese gained control of the Island of Mozambique and the port city of Sofala in
1505. By 1530s small groups of Portuguese traders and prospectors penetrated the
interior of its land. When Vasco da Gama paid the first visit to ports of Mozambique in
1499, he had found Indian traders there. This proves that Indian traders and merchants
had been coming to this land even before Vasco da Gama set his sails for Africa and
India. It is a documented fact that India had links with Mozambique for half a millennia
as traders from south India had been going to this land.20 Muslim traders from India's
Malabar region regularly plied the trade routes of the Indian Ocean that brought them up
and down the eastern coast of Africa long before the arrival of the Portuguese. In the
seventeenth century, Indian merchants had a considerable presence in finance and
maritime trade of the western Indian Ocean. These merchants gained prominence by
exploiting new opportunities in the region. They became connected to larger firms and
corporations in Gujarat and Maharashtra and created networks extending up to Muscat
and the Swahili coast.21 In the ports of the Mozambique Channel they were especially
noteworthy at Mozambique Island, Inhambane, and Mahajanga. In the late 1750s,
Muslim traders had established religious schools for local Africans
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at Inhambane. By the 1800s, Vania (Bania) merchants from Diu had settled on the Island
of Mozambique. Indian Muslim traders also established an Islamic network across the
Mozambique Channel in the nineteenth century. In cooperation with Portuguese shippers,
they were active in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Muslim traders from the state of Kutch
in close alliance with the Sultan of Oman had expanded their activities in East Africa in
1840, when the Sultanate relocated its seat of government to Zanzibar. From slave trade
they later shifted towards ivory and cashew nuts under pressure from the British.22
Presence of Indians in Mozambique since half of the 19 th century is closely linked
to the socio-economic and political transformations of the Swahili coast. Many Guajarati
traders began to flow into Mozambique from South Africa in the latter half of the 19th
century. Several petty traders or employees of the large Indian trading firms also
migrated to Mozambique. However, in 1899 plague broke out in the country for which
Indians were blamed. As a result, migration of all Asians was officially stopped. Even
after the relaxation of the restriction in 1907, Asians who sought to migrate to the
Mozambique had to pay a heavy disembarkation fee at their port of arrival. Meanwhile,
due to intensification of freedom movement in India, in the post-1911 period, the British
became more hostile to Indians in South Africa. This caused more and more Gujaratis,
who had originally intended to settle in South Africa, to divert north to Mozambique,
especially in the area around Delagoa Bay.23
Even during Great Depression that set in during 1930s, Indians trading in cashew
nut continued to excel in business as Depression did not hit cashew nut prices. Migration
of Indians was again restricted by the Portuguese government who not only barred further
immigration, but also prevented the return of Indian residents of Mozambique, who were
outside the country at the time of announcement of the new migration regulations. This
produced a significant change in settlement patterns and many Indians who previously
came alone leaving their families in India now started bringing their wives and children
over to Mozambique. To put restriction on immigration the Portuguese introduced racial
quotas so that more Portuguese get employed and less Indians migrate to this land.
Indians, however, survived this quota system and went on trading and settling in the
country. During the Second World War, because of its
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declared neutrality, Portuguese ships were not targeted by the Allied as well as Axis
powers. This helped Indian traders to continue their business. In 1948, Protuguese
government re-defined its racial quota system but it could not prevent Indian population
to prosper. The 1950s saw further rise in cashew nut prices, so Indian firms continued to
earn more. By the end of the decade, 12,000 Indians were living in the country.24
Early in 1947, when India got independence and Pakistan came into being after
partitioning of the subcontinent, many Indians (Hindus, as well as some of the Muslims)
chose Indian citizenship and some (especially Muslims) chose for Pakistani nationality.
Some of the larger traders took advantage of the situation and opted for British
nationality. Many others registered their Mozambque-born children as Portuguese
citizens. In response to the liberation of Goa by the Indian armed forces in 1961, the
Portuguese put all the Indian nationals in Mozambique in concentration camps for six
months. Their bank accounts were frozen and properties confiscated. Many were even
repatriated to India. Ostensibly this was done for the protection of these Indians.
However, in reality the Portuguese hoped to use their freedom as a bargaining chip in
exchange for the freedom of 3,200 Portuguese who had been captured in Goa. Besides
other effects, this led many of the Muslims who had initially chosen Indian nationality to
switch their allegiance to Pakistan. Even after the cessation of hostilities in Goa, Indian
nationals in Mozambique continued to face restrictions by the colonial government. Some
chose to resettle in other countries in east Africa. Later, in the 1970s, as the process of
decolonisation began and Portuguese rule drew near, South Asians began leaving the
country in larger numbers; the outflow was especially significant among Ismailis, who
were urged to leave the country by the Aga Khan IV. Some returned to Pakistan or India,
while others re-established themselves in Portugal.25 In contrast, large proportions of
Indians stayed in Mozambique after independence and form the sixth-largest Diasporas
community in Africa. Roughly 20,000 people of Indian descent as well as about 1000
Indian expatriates reside in Mozambique.
During the early days of independence Mozambique had a socialist regime. Due
to this, Indian community, which is mostly engaged in trading, faced many difficulties.
However, after return of peace in 1992 and liberalization of economy, the Indian
community started flourishing
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again. About 40% of retail trade in the country is in the hands of persons of Indian origin.
Many Indian experts are working in different fields in Mozambique. Besides commercial
and economic activities, few of them have also held posts of Members of Parliament and
Governors of the Provinces.26 At present Abdul Razak Noor Mohomed is Deputy
Minister Mineral Resources.
The Indian community in Mozambique is mainly grouped under the Comunidade
Hindu (Hindu Community) and the Comunidade Mohametana (Muslim Community).
Both these associations have been set up with elected members from the community and
celebrate all the major Indian festivals apart from organising various other cultural
programmes.27 On June 27, 2001 the Indians launched Indian Professional and Business
Council, Maputo with an objective to project a positive image of the Indian community in
Mozambique by highlighting important contributions made by Indian professionals and
projecting a clear perspective of India, its achievements, successes, potentials, and
relevance to Mozambique. It was also to encourage more frequent business and social
links, share knowledge and experience between Mozambican and the Indian
professionals and to increase Indian community’s greater participation in the economic
development of the country.
India-Mozambique relations
Friendly relations built over the last few centuries have grown over the years as a
result of which India and Mozambique today find many common areas to cooperate.
India had consistently lent its support to Mozambique in the latter’s freedom struggle. On
its independence in 1975, India established diplomatic relations becoming one of the first
countries to open its Embassy in Mozambique. The latter opened its Mission in New
Delhi in the first week of December, 2001 and its first High Commissioner to Delhi was
appointed towards the end of March 2002.28
Mozambique’s first President Samora Machel paid a visit to India in 1982, which
was reciprocated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the same year. India has assisted
Mozambique through five Line of Credits (LOCs) totaling US$ 115 million for rural
electrification in provinces of Zambezia, Inhambane, Nampula and Gaza to finance
transfer of water drilling technology and equipment from India as well as for
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establishment of IT Park in Mozambique.29 High point in Indo-Mozambican relations
came when President Alberto Chissano came to India during 10-15 May, 2003, heading a
high power ministerial delegation. During the visit, Government of India decided to write
off debts to the tune of Rs. 90 million, owed on LoCs granted in 1981 and 1982.
Government of India through HMT (I) Ltd. offered to set up a Cashew Processing Plant
in Mozambique out of the annual grant of US$ 200,000. Process of its implementation
has already begun. India gave an assistance package of US$333,000 to develop Youth
Centre with special emphasis on sports (especially football, in the backdrop of World
Cup in South Africa in 2010). It also provided an emergency assistance of about US$
256,000 towards relief supplies to the victims of floods in Mozambique in 2008. Two
‘Hole in the wall’ education projects, in Macuba in Zambezia Province and Chibuto in
Gaza Province, to the tune of US$75000 were installed by Government of India in 2007.
Friendly relationship has continued to grow further through regular exchange of
Ministerial visits between the two countries in recent times. During 2009 many of the
Mozambican ministers visited India to develop cooperation in different fields.30
Similarly, some of the Indian Ministers paid visit to Mozambique during recent years.31
Under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, training slots for
Mozambique have been increased from 20 to 30 since 2008-09. In addition, 15
scholarships are provided under ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural relations) General
Cultural Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) every year. Government of India has deputed an
Expert to the Mozambican Ministry of Science and Technology as consultant in the field
of statistics and management since July, 2007.32 When president of Mozambique visited
India in 2007, India and Mozambique signed MOU in the field of agriculture and
Bilateral Inter-governmental Science & Technology Agreement.
Trade and investment
Mozambique has a substantial trade deficit. In 2003, imports accounted for
$1.24 billion while exports for $910 million. In the recent years the country has got
support provided by foreign donors and has set up mega-projects through foreign direct
investments, which have largely compensated for balance-of-payments shortfalls.
Aluminum smelter
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MOZAL that commenced production in mid-2000, has greatly expanded the nation's
trade volume.33 Its principal export commodities include aluminum, electricity power,
natural gas, tobacco, prawns, timber, cashews, shrimp, fish, copra, sugar, cotton, tea, and
citrus fruits. Mozambique imports machinery, diesel, vehicles, cereals and electricity
power.34 India has a fair share of trade with Mozambique and exports drugs and
pharmaceutical, hospital supplies, transport equipment, rice, cotton including accessories,
cotton yarn/fabrics and linoleum. India imports cashew nuts, wasted melted iron, green
beans/peas, oil seeds and powdered scale aluminum from Mozambique. India’s trade as
per Mozambique government statistics is shown in the table below.35
Table-1
Mozambique’s Foreign Trade and imports from and exports to India(In million US$)
Year Imports
Total Imports
Total from India
Import from India
Export
2007 3049.748 2412.120 135.858 16.7172006 2807.595 2370.998 78.246 26.003
Table-2
Major items of exports to and imports from India for 2007
S. No.
Exports to India
Value in Million
US$
Imports from India Value in Million
US$
1. Aluminium ingots
2.027 Medicines Bulk 25.970
2. Raw and waste cotton
0.337 Rice 25.473
3. Timber logs 0.122 Bicycles and motor cycles
10.273
4. Oil Seeds 0.116 Petroleum products (Bitumen)
6.164
5. Transport 0.085 Special vehicles 3.817
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equipment
6. Raw cashew nuts
0.048 Primary and semi-finished iron and metal
3.601
Mt
Sr.
No.
Exporting Country Value in US$ % of
Total
Import
1. Netherlands 1,491,691 61.84
2. South Africa 414,449 17.18
3. Zimbabwe 71,110 2.95
4. China 40,274 1.67
5. Spain 37,118 1.54
6. UK 31,849 1.32
7. Portugal 31,243 1.30
8. Kenya 29,387 1.22
9. India 16,717 0.69
10. Malawi 15,964 0.66
49,748(2007)
Sr.
No.
Importing Country Value in US$ % of
Total
Export
1. South Africa 1,001,761 33.00
2. Netherlands 448,066 14.69
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3. India 135,858 4.45
4. Portugal 108,682 3.56
5. China 107,122 3.51
6. UAE 104,246 3.42
7. Japan 94,397 3.10
8. USA 83,642 2.74
9. Thailand 55,974 1.84
10. Pakistan 41,755 1.37
Rising Indian corporate sector has invested in many countries of the Indian Ocean region.
Many Indian companies have invested in Mozambique in the recent years. For example,
RICON, the consortium of RITES and IRCON has won the 25 years concession to
manage Beira railway system (SENA line) in December, 2004. India has assisted
Mozambique Railway (CFM) to rehabilitate over 600 km of railway line.36 Meanwhile
the Dondo-Marromeu part of Sena line has already been completed and inaugurated in
November, 2008. Essar group and Jindal Steel Works have established offices in Maputo
and Tete respectively. Six Indian companies are active in the coal sector. Coal India Ltd.
(CIL) in March, 2009 won two coal blocks in Moatize, Tete province of Mozambique.
The CIL has planned to set up of a premier mining institute in Mozambique, on the lines
of the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. Tata steel has entered into a joint venture with
Australian company Riversdale with 35% stake in coal licences covering 25,000 hectares
of land. Tata Steel acquired additional 7.3 percent stake in Riversdale in September, 2008
raising its total share to 42%. In February 2008, India’s Global Steel Holding (GSH-
parent Company of Ispat Steel) acquired two coal-prospecting licenses in Tete province,
covering 30,000 hectares. Jindal Steel, Videocon, Adani Group and P.K. Ores of Orissa
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are other companies who have joined the ‘coal pursuit’ in Mozambique by buying coal
mines from local license holders. The Indian Sadbhav Engineering (SE) Company
acquired 74% equity in the Hong Kong-based mining enterprise Ocean Bright
Corporation Ltd. (OBCL) and gained the rights to mining prospecting in Manica, Tete
and Nampula provinces. They have also bought the rights to mine copper ore in 24400
hectares of area in the Tete province, limestone in a similar area in Nampula province,
and coal in 5230 hectares in Manica.37
Bharat Petroleum and Videocon Industries have entered Mozambique’s oil sector
by acquiring a stake in energy exploration in Rovuma Basin in Northern Province of
Cabo Delgado. These two companies have purchased a 20% stake in the offshore area
from Andarko Petroleum of the US whose own share has been reduced to 36%. Rusini
Bio-Fuels of Hyderabad is setting up a US$ 30 million project to produce Ethanol from
sweet sorghum in participation with Petromac of Mozambique. The Government of the
Southern Mozambican province of Inhambane has entered into an agreement with an
Indian company Aar Ess Exim Pvt. Ltd.
in 2007 for the construction of cement factory in Pambara with a capacity of 1,000
tonnes at a cost of US$65 million.38 The Sajjan Jindal-promoted JSW Group has planned
to develop a port in Mozambique. RJ Corp India in partnership with Pilivi Industries of
Mozambique has set up a Pepsi Cola production plant on the outskirts of Maputo with the
investment of US$10 million. The plant has become operational since February, 2009.
Coal Ventures International (CVI), a consortium comprising Coal India, Steel
Authority of India (SAIL), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), National
Minerals Development Corporation (NMDC) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)
has been formed to explore Joint Venture in the fields of coking coal, bio-energy, and
other minerals, in Mozambique as part of a US$116-million investment.39 The advent of
Indian mining companies in Mozambique to tap its vast coal reserves, is expected to
transform this electricity exporting country into a regional powerhouse. Exploration and
foreign investment in this sector is expected to rise to US$30 billion in the next decade.
Indian companies want to invest in coal sector to have a control on the supply of coal,
essential in the development of the country's power plants, cement and steel units. Buying
coal mines would ensure the Indian companies of supply security. Exploration of these
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coal blocks, spread over 224 sq km, was set to commence shortly, and the mining
activities were expected to begin after three and a half years.40 These investments and
keen interest of Indian companies in Mozambique speaks volumes of goodwill and
cooperation prevalent between the two countries.
Defence Cooperation
The role of Indian Navy in bringing about security and stability to the Indian
Ocean and its littoral is a well recognized fact. Indian Navy is equipped to protect the
larger maritime zone and police the entire waters from Madagascar, Mozambique and the
Gulf of Oman in the west to the Malacca Straits. India is already receiving policing
requests especially after its patrolling of the eastern waters with the Indonesian navy
where Indian naval ships escorted US ships in the Malacca Straits for three months in
2002, and patrolled the Mauritian waters twice.41 India has an agreement to provide anti
piracy patrols to Mozambique and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote
and expand defence cooperation. The scope of the MoU covers all the three Services envisaging
cooperation in the field of military technical cooperation, logistic support and training.
The MoU envisaged joint activities, such as maritime patrolling of the Mozambican
coast, mutual training in military institutes, supply defence equipment/services, transfer
of know-how and technology for assembling and repair of vehicles, aircraft and ships as
well as rehabilitation of military infrastructure.42 In response to a request from the
Mozambique government India deployed two vessels Sujata and Savitri of the Indian
Navy to provide offshore security at Maputo, from June 23, 2003 to July 15, 2003 during
the World Economic Forum Meeting (held from July 4 to 12 2003) and the fourth Afro-
Caribbean Pacific Heads-of-State Summit. The two ships also undertook Operational Sea
Training of 100 personnel of the Mozambique Navy during the period between the two
Summits. This operation was conducted from 30 May to 27 Jun 04 and the ships were
deployed for nearly two months. The two ships effectively projected Indian Navy's
capability for sustained operations off the Southern Coast of Africa. From June 4-13,
2007, an Indian Naval delegation visited Mozambique to conduct study for preparation of
a broad plan for the long-term sustainable development of the Mozambican Navy.43
Cultural relations
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34
With sizable number of people of Indian origin in Mozambique, cultural relations
between India and Mozambique have existed for the past few centuries. Apart from
various cultural events organized by the local Indian community, a few theatres in
Maputo and other cities regularly screen the latest Indian movies. Indian film festivals are
organized by Indian High Commission in various cities of Mozambique from time to
time. Cultural groups from India have visited Mozambique in the past. Recently, a five
membr Bharatnatyam dance troupe led by Susheela Mehta visited Mozambique from 3-5
May, 2009 and gave two separate performances in Maputo. India Cup Cricket and India
Cup Golf Tournaments are also organized every year with the support of High
Commission, which help in bonding close cultural relationship between the two
countries.44
Prospects for Future
India and Mozambique have strong desire to strengthen bilateral relations. Given
India's vast experience in sophisticated technology and industry, Mozambique wants
India to share its expertise to explore untapped
natural resources and help in meeting infrastructural requirements. It also intends to
expand trade with India, seek cooperation in the development of commercial farming
through the establishment of joint ventures and technical assistance on coconut and coir
processing. It wants Indian to play a role in business, technology and investment in
Mozambique especially in the Zambezi valley --potentially the richest part of the country,
but whose people have the lowest human development index. Mozambique desires
India's help in providing training in drug quality control, assistance in the field of anti-
retroviral drugs and the treatment of Malaria, Tuberculosis and help combat HIV/AIDS
etc. Both want to cooperate in the area of Transport and Communications.
Mozambique has same perception as India on various international issues. It is in
favour of the expansion of the UN Security Council and feels the need for equitable
balance in the expanded Security Council to provide a constructive voice to the
aspirations of the developing countries. Mozambique has expressed support for India's
candidature to the permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council. Both
intend to fight against terrorism with an objective of its total elimination. Both reiterate
their commitment to the UN Security Council Resolution 1373 and need to strengthen the
35
35
international legal regime to fight terrorism through the adoption of the Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism.45 Mozambique appreciates India’s security
concerns in the light of recent local, regional and global developments; believes that
Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India; supports resolution of differences between
India and Pakistan through bilateral dialogue on the basis of Shimla Agreement of 1972
and Lahore Declaration of 1999. It also recognized the cross-border infiltration and
terrorism and called on concerned countries to dismantle the infrastructure of support to
terrorism and to stop serving as a platform for international terrorism.46
Conclusion
India is a powerful country in the Indian Ocean. Its emergence as an important
economic and military power in the recent decades suggest that the Country is going to
play a more powerful role in the world let alone in the Indian Ocean. Akin to its rise,
India can no longer contain itself to South Asia as was the situation during the Cold War.
The nature and implications of its rising economic vitality and its highly successful
knowledge based industrial sector is already creating ripples around the globe, at the
United Nations and in the international financial institutions. Its new Africa policy is part
of that changing global vision which is constantly on the upswing. The contours of this
policy are defined by the continuity and change in its relations with the African countries
of Indian Ocean littoral. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister once said that
importance of Africa arose from the fact that “though separated by the Indian Ocean from
us, it is in a sense our next door neighbour”.47 The emotional bonds nurtured for decades
by successive Indian leaders are now being translated into pragmatic economic
cooperation with these countries. In this drive, Indian Diaspora is playing an important
role in bringing the countries of their settlement close to their motherland. Looking at the
nature and kind of goods and services India can offer to these lands suggest that in he
times to come, the country will be able to create a powerful network of cooperation with
the whole of the Indian Ocean Rim. India is not merely concerned with the larger
economies in the region; it is building mutually beneficial relations with smaller and poor
countries too. Mozambique is one such example. Strong and growing ties between India
and Mozambique in terms of trade and investment as well as security due to the strategic
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36
transport links in the region will continue to expand.48 As there are no real issues between
the two countries, it is further to suggest that in the times to come, relations between
India and Mozambique are bound to grow in the wider spirit of Indian Ocean
Cooperation.
References
1. According to some sources the area of Mozambique is 799,380 sq. km. for Geography of the Country,
see, The Statesman’s Year Book, 2008, Macmillan, New York, 2007, p.885; The New Encyclopaedia
Britannica, vol.. 8, 2002, p.383
2. Earlier it was created as SADCC to harmonize development plans and to reduce regions economic
dependence on South Africa. In August 1992, SADC was established under an agreement among these
countries. For the structure, membership and activities of SADC, see, The Europa Year Book 2008, vol. I,
Routledge, London, 2008, pp. 386-91.
3. For history of colonialism and Civil War after it attained independence, see, Newitt, M. D. D: A History
of Mozambique, Indiana University Press, 1995, p. 679; Dodge, Cole P and Magne Raundalen, Reaching
Children in War: Sudan, Uganda and Mozambique, Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, 1991, pp.146;
Fitzpatrick, Mary: Lonely Planet Mozambique, Lonely Planet Publications, 2000.
4. The political pressure of the ideologically charged Civil War, in conjunction with the excruciating need
for aid and funds to finance imports, compelled Marxist FRELIMO to negotiate structural adjustments with
the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in 1986. The structural adjustment required
privatization of major industries, less government spending, deregulation of the economy, and trade
liberalization. Structural Adjustments, therefore, have essentially focused on the implementation of an
unfettered free market economy in Mozambique. See, Dorosh, Paul (et. al), “Market Liberalisation and
Role of Food Aid in Mozambique”, in, Sahn, David E: Economic Reforms and the Poor in Africa, Oxford
University Press, 1996, pp.339-365; Ostheimer, Andrea E, “Transforming peace into democracy:
Democratic structures in Mozambique”, African Security Review, Vol. 8, No. 6, 1999.
5. The Liberation Front of Mozambique, better known by the acronym FRELIMO (from the Portuguese
Frente de Libertação de Moçambique) is a political party which was founded in 1962 to fight for the
independence of the Portuguese Overseas Province of Mozambique, which was achieved in 1975 after the
Carnation Revolution in Lisbon. It has ruled Mozambique from then until the present (2009), first as a
single party, and later as the majority party in a multi-party parliament. Bowen, Merle. For details, see, The
State against the Peasantry: Rural Struggles in Colonial and Postcolonial Mozambique , University Press
of Virginia, Charlottesville, 2000.
6. See, “IMF Mission Calls for Fiscal Stimulus in Mozambique”, International Monetary Fund, Press
Release No. 09/165, May 13, 2009.
37
37
7. “Mozambique”, A report prepared by Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems
(ASCLME) Project, accessed at, http://www.asclme.org/mozambique.html
8. The highest Mozambique's external debt has ever been was just over US$6 billion in 1998. From that
date the debt was gradually reduced when Mozambique joined the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
Initiative, set up by the big international banks to write off the debts of the world’s poorest countries. See,
“Mozambique’s external debt falls to 2.6 billion Euros over the last four years”, at,
http://www.clubofmozambique.com/solutions1/sectionnews.php?secao=business&id=15863&tipo=one
9. See, Hanlon, Joseph, “Is Poverty Decreasing in Mozambique?”, Paper presented at the Inaugural
Conference of the Instituto de Estudos Sociais Economicos, Maputo, September 19, 2007.
10. Since country’s independence, efforts have been made to increase literacy rate in the country. For detail
see, Mario, Mouzinho and Nandja Debora, “Literacy in Mozambique: education for all challenges”, paper
commissioned for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2006, UNESCO, Paris, pp. 2-4
11. During 1996-2006, GDP per capita increased by an average of 6.2% per year, overall GDP increased, in
real terms, at an average annual rate of 8.4% in 1996-2006. See, The Europa Year Book, vol. II, op. cit.,
p.3178.
12. The first case of HIV/AIDS was diagnosed in 1986 in Mozambique. This was followed by a steady
increase in the prevalence rate up to an estimated 16.2% among the population aged 15 to 49 years in 2004.
In July 2004, the Government declared HIV/AIDS a national emergency. For details see, “HIV/AIDS-The
Picture”, at, http://www.unicef.org/mozambique/hiv_aids_2045.html
13. IMF Country Report Number 01/25; also see, “Mozambique subsistence agriculture faces long-term
decline from HIV/AIDS epidemic”, http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2004/49917/index.html;
Encyclopedia of Nations, at http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Africa/Mozambique-
AGRICULTURE.html; also see, The Europa Year Book, vol. II, op. cit., p. 3178.
14. “Mozambique GDP-composition by sector”, available at,
http://www.indexmundi.com/mozambique/gdp_composition_by_sector.html
15. This does not include the people engaged in informal sector which includes carpentry, motor vehicle
repair, tailoring, hawking, and selling various fruits, vegetables, and other commodities. Recent studies,
such as those conducted by researchers of the Centro de Estudos Africanos of the University Eduardo
Mondlane in Mozambique, indicate that informal activity has increased substantially as a result of cuts to
the social sector, unemployment and rising food prices. Unfortunately, the burden caused by these
developments has been shouldered unequally by women, who have taken the responsibility of ensuring the
survival of the family. In 1994, as much as 75 percent of all women in Maputo were forced to participate in
the informal sector in order to earn their chief incomes. Such women make as little as $0.20 a day, plus
food. See, The Europa Year Book, vol. II, op. cit., p. 3178.
16. “Mozambique Natural Resources”, available at,
http://www.mapsofworld.com/mozambique/economy/natural-resources.html
38
38
17. In March 1976 Mozambique closed its border with Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) resulting in border fighting
between Mozambican and Rhodesian troops. As a result the Rhodesian Intelligence helped to establish the
Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) and after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, South Africa
continued to support RENAMO which embarked on a terror campaign against local people and by March
1989 a full scale civil war that ensued had claimed as many as 600,000 lives and displaced an estimated 5
million people. See, Preston, Matthew, Ending Civil War: Rhodesia and Lebanon in Perspective, 2004.
Page 66; Meredith, Martin, The Past is Another Country, p. 218. Ryan, Johnny, "Principled Failure: British
Policy toward Rhodesia, 1971-72", The History Review, 2004.
18. Juergensen, Olaf Tataryn, “Angonia: why Renamo?” Southern Africa Report (SAR), vol. 10, No 2,
December 1994, p.13; also see, Alexander, Jocelyn, “The local state in post-war Mozambique: political
practice and ideas about authority”, Africa, Vol. 67, 1997.
19. Mozambique’s relations with Soviet Union date back to the 1960s, when USSR began to support the struggle of Mozambique's Marxist-oriented FRELIMO party against Portuguese colonialism. Most leaders of the FRELIMO were trained in Moscow. Diplomatic relations were formally established on 25 June 1975, soon after Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal. Thereafter the Soviet Union and its allies became Mozambique's primary economic, military, and political supporters. See, U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Foreign Affairs, “Soviet Policy and United States Response in the Third World”, Committee Report, 97th Cong., 1st Session., 1981, pp. 29-30, 60; Belfiglio, Dr. Valentine J, “The Soviet Offensive in Southern Africa”, Air University Review, July-August 1983.20. Appadurai, Arjun, Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization,
University of Minnesota press, Minneapolis, 1996.
21. Takashi, Oishi, “Indian Muslim Merchants in Mozambique and South Africa: Intra-regional Networks
in Strategic Association with State Institutions, 1870s-1930s”, Journal of the Economic and Social History
of the Orient, ISSN 0022-4995; Subramanian, Lakshmi, The Global World of Indian Merchants, 1750-
1947: Traders of Sind from Bukhara to Panama (Cambridge Studies in Indian History and Society),
Cambridge University Press, 2000.
22. Bastos, Susana, “Distinguished families, exceptional women: a contribution towards the study of
Islamic elites in the Portuguese-speaking Indian Diaspora”, in, Bastos, S. & Bastos J. (eds.), Different
Children of Different Gods: Uses of Religion in Strategies of Differentiated Social Insertion , Lisbon,
ACIME.
23 Susana, Pereira Bastos, "Indian Transnationalisms in Colonial and Post-colonial Mozambique", Wiener
Zeitschrift für kritische Afrikastudien, no. 8, 2005, pp. 277–306. 24. Singhvi, L. M, “Report of the High
Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora”, New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs, 2002, pp. 89–109,
25 For details see, Keshavjee, Habib: The Aga Khan and Africa, His Leadership and Inspiration, The
Mercantile Printing Works, Durban, 1945.
26. High Commission of India in Moputo, available at, http://www.hicomind-maputo.org/community.html
39
39
27. Ibid.,
28. Since then the two countries have maintained a cordial and friendly relationship. This include important
visits by Foreign Minister Pascoal Mocumbi to India in August 1992, Indian Minister of State for External
Affairs Salman Khursheed’s visit to Mozambique in Jan 1994, Mozambican Interior Minister’s visit to
India in Sept 1997, Indian Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh’s visit to Mozambique in March
1999, and the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh’s visit in December 2002 for the
first meeting of the Indo-Mozambique Joint Commission. Mozambican Defence Minister Tobias Dai
visited India in March 2006 and February 2008 (to participate in DEFEXPO in New Delhi). Mozambican
Minister for Science and Technology visited India July 2006, Mineral Resources Minister Esparanca Bias
visited to attend CII conference in New Delhi in October, 2006 and Agriculture Minister Tomas Mandlate
visited India in November, 2006. Vice Minister for Mineral Resources Abdul Razak Noormahomed visited
to attend the India-Africa Hydro-carbon conference in November 2007. Mozambican Interior Minister Jose
Antonio Pacheco visited New Delhi in July 2008, Salvador Namburete, and Mozambique Minister of
Energy, visited to participate in a Conference on “Energetic Independence with Global Cooperation-
PETROTECH 2009” organized by Indian Oil Cooperation under the auspices of Ministry of Oil and
Natural Gas from 11-15 January, 2009 in New Delhi. Further, Mozambican Environment Minister Alcinda
Abreu visited India from 5-7 February, 2009 and discussed environment matters. A 4-member delegation
led by Vice Minister of Agriculture, Caterine Pajume visited to attend the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on
India-Africa Project Partnership 2009 held in New Delhi on 22-24 March, 2009. The second session of
India-Mozambique Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was
held in New Delhi on 18-19 February, 2009. In this session a whole range of issues was discussed to
strengthen bilateral relations. Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor visited Moputo on
January 13, 2010, on the occasion of inauguration of President Guebuza’s second term. For details see,
http://www.hicomind-maputo.org/message.html; also see, “Mozambique wants ‘greater vigour’ in relations
with India”, Thaindia News, January 14, 2010.
29. The first Line of Credit of US$20 million was offered in 2003 which became operational in September,
2004 with the signing of agreement between EXIM Bank and Mozambican Government. Out of this US$20
million, US$10 million was allotted for rural electrification in Zambezia province, US$ 8 million for water
management and US$ 2 million for a coir project. The second LOC of US$20 million was granted in
December, 2006 for rural electrification in Gaza province. The third LOC of US$20 million was approved
in April, 2008 to finance transfer of water drilling technology and equipment from India to Mozambique.
The fourth LOC of US$25 million was approved in August, 2008 for establishment of IT Park in
Mozambique. The last and fifth LOC for US$30 million was approved in December, 2008 for financing
rural electrification projects. See, Message of High Commissioner on India’s Independence Day 2009,
available at, http://www.hicomind-maputo.org/message.html
30. Ibid.,
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40
31. From Indian side, MOS for External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma visited Mozambique on July 1-2,
2007 led a business delegation to attend the CII regional conclave on “India-Africa project partnership”
held in Maputo. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Mr. Vayalar Ravi also visited Mozambique on 11-14
November, 2007. Mr. Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRIs, Goa Government visited Mozambique
from 16-21 May, 2008. Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Ferltilizer lead a 12-member delegation
to Maputo in September, 2008 and held discussions with the Minister of Mineral Resources for opening an
Integrated Fertilizer plant in Mozambique. A two member delegation from Ministry of Finance led by Mr.
K.Ramalingam visited Maputo on 24-28 March, 2009 to hold second round of negotiations on DTAA.
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma visited Maputo on July 1-2, 2007 led a
business delegation to attend the CII regional conclave on “India-Africa project partnership”. Minister of
Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi also visited Mozambique on 11-14 November, 2007. See, Ibid.,
32. See, Report of the first meeting of the inter-governmental committee on African Science, Technology
and Innovation Indicators (ASTII), 17-18 September 2007, Maputo, Mozambique.
33. Situated at Beluluane in the Boane district, about 17 km from central Maputo, the MOZAL project is a
250,000 ton per annum capacity primary aluminum smelter built at the cost of US$ 1.3 billion. The project
is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the world. It is owned by an international consortium led
by London-based Billiton having 47% share, South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation has 24%,
Mitsubishi of Japan has 25% and the government of Mozambique has 4% shares. See, afrol.com, 21
September 2000; and, http://www.bhpbilliton.com
34. For the commodities Mozambique Imports yearly, see, http://www.indexmundi.com/trade/imports/?
country=mz3
35. Source, High Commission of India, Maputo, available at,
http://www.hicomind-maputo.org/pages/trade.html; For further details see, http://commerce.nic.in; and
http://www.infodriveindia.com/Export-Import/Trade-Statistics/Countries-Wise.aspx
36 RICON has taken up, Beira Rail Concession Project worth US$ 0.13 million; Study, Design and
Rehabilitation of Dona Ana Bridge Rs. 268.71 Million; Supply of Prestressed Monoblock Concrete
Sleepers for Cape Gauge Rs. 491.65 Million; Supply of Stone Ballast for Sena Line of Beira Railway
Corridor Rs. 221.68 Million; Rehabilitation of 670 kms of Cape Gauge of Sena line between Dondo and
Moatize, including branch lines of Inhamitanga-Marromeu, etc. See, “Railways and railways Projects”,
IRCON International Limited, at, http://www.ircon.org/railways.asp; “Improvement Railways
Transportation Coal-Mine in Central Mozambique”, Mining Exploration News, September 15, 2008.
37. Hong-Kong based OBCL directly and through its subsidiaries holds licenses for prospecting iron ore,
copper, lime stone in the provinces of Tete, Nampula, Monica, Niassa of Mozambique. See, Sadbhav
Engineering to buy 74% stake in Ocean Bright Corp, at, http://www.stockwatch.in/stock-news/sadbhav-
engineering
38. See, India Africa Connect, available at, http://indiaafricaconnect.in/indiaafrica-projects.php
41
41
39. April 2007, Rajiv Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal visited Mozambique and held
discussions with his Mozambican counterparts. During his visit a plan of action was signed on cooperation
in the field of Coal. This was followed by a visit of three-member team of Coal India Ltd. led by Director
(Technical) to study the geological and other data of the various coalfields in Mozambique including
Moatize (Tete Province) Manimba/Metangula coal basin (Niassa Province). Subsequently, a three-member
delegation from Mozambique visited India from November 25 to 2nd December 2007 to overview the
Indian experience in coal/project mining, processing of coal, geo-mapping etc. See, “Coal India awarded
two blocks in Mozambique”, The Hindu Business Line, March 7, 2009.
40. “Coal India plans subsidiary in Mozambique”, Business Standard, August 18, 2009
41. See, The Hindu, April 23, 2002; “Tackling Terrorism on High Seas”, The Financial Express, November
5, 2003; Ramachandran, Sudha, “Delhi all ears in the Indian Ocean”, South Asia, March 3, 2006.
42. See Press Information Bureau press release at, http://mod.nic.in/samachar/april1-06/h3.htm
43 India and Mozambique, “Developments in Bilateral Relations”, available at, http:// www.hicomind-
maputo.org/pages/bilateral.html
44. INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM – AFRICAAFRICA
CRICKET ASSOCIATION, Newsflash Africa, September 2008, p.3, available at,
http://www.africacricket.org
45. UN Security Council unanimously adopted wide-ranging anti-terrorism resolution on
September 28, 2001 which calls for suppressing terrorism and improving international
cooperation to fight against this menace. See, Press Release SC/7158, UN Security
Council.
46. State visit of. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, President of the Republic of Mozambique, India-
Mozambique, Joint Statement, May 12, 2003
47. Cited in, T G Ramamurthy, “Foundations of India’s Foreign Policy”, Africa Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1
&2, 1997, p.30
48. Vines, Alex and Oruitemeka, Bereni, “Engagement with the African Indian Ocean Rim states”,
Journal South African Journal of International Affairs, Vol.14, Issue 2, Winter 2007, pages 111-123.
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