Both India and Liberia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in oil and gas sector on basis of equality and mutual benefit.

“The Memorandum of Understanding signed today for cooperation in the oil and gas sector will enable our countries to undertake structured cooperation in this area, where India’s experience can be of some relevance to Liberia,” said the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh after delegation level talks with the team led by the visiting Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf here on Wednesday.

Both sides agreed on the need to expedite implementation of projects which have been offered to Liberia as part of the decisions of the India-Africa Forum Summits of 2008 and 2011.

With a view to institutionalize cooperation between the two countries in political, security, social, human resource development, economic, cultural, scientific, judicial and technical areas an agreement was signed for setting up of a joint commission.

A MoU was signed between Foreign Service Institutes of India and Liberia to promote academic exchanges of students, faculty and experts and sharing of information related structure and content of training programmes for diplomats.

“We have decided to enhance our cooperation in a number of areas, including agricultural research, health, small and medium enterprises, science & technology, education and skill development..... Indian investments in Liberia, especially in the mining sector, are growing. I requested President Sirleaf to facilitate Indian investment in agriculture, infrastructure, hydrocarbon, mining and manufacturing in line with Liberia’s national development goals and policies,” said Dr Singh.

On the Indian initiative for human resources development in Liberia, Dr Singh said : “We will also enhance scholarships and training slots under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme for Liberia. India will be setting up an IT Centre, a Vocational Training Centre, a Farm Science Centre and a Training Centre for Women in the field of solar energy in Liberia.”

Addressing a business summit jointly organised by three apex Indian industry bodies – FICCI, CII and Assocham – the Liberian President Sirleaf urged for Indian investments in marine sector, particularly in storage, value addition and packaging for exports.

As Liberia was ravaged by 14-year civil strife, the country needs to develop its infrastructure, including power sector, ports and roads.

President Sirleaf urged for investments in iron ore, gold, diamond, oil palm, hydrocarbons, hydro-power, solar energy and tourism. She urged for investments for value addition in forest products for exports.

India and Liberia have had a few high-level meetings during the last few years. The first of these was in 2009 when the then Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor visited Liberia. Subsequently, in 2010 the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi visited Liberia.

From the Liberian side there were two important visits. The Liberian Foreign Minister had visited India in February 2011. And earlier this year for the CII-Africa Conclave the Vice-President of Liberia visited India.

As a part of a seminal effort in 2007 India sent a fully formed all-women peacekeeping police unit to Liberia. This was a trailblazer in terms of UN peacekeeping and has been welcomed by all concerned. Currently there are two fully formed police units – one is the all-women police unit which is of 104 women police officials, along with 21 male supporting staff.

In addition, India has sent another fully formed all-male police peacekeeping unit in Liberia. These are part of what is called the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The second Indian unit is outside Monrovia. The first one is located in Monrovia.

Prime Minister Dr Singh and the Liberian President Sirleaf exchanged views on the forthing coming India-Africa Forum Summit.

Earlier, a four-member delegation led by Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Natama, Chief of Staff of the Bureau of the AUC Chairperson from the African Union Commission (AUC) visited India during September 4-7.

The delegation called on the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur.

During the visit the Plan of Action of the Enhanced Framework of Cooperation of the second India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-II) was launched. The Joint Plan of Action takes stock of present state of progress of the implementation of IAFS-II decisions and charts out the contours of future India Africa cooperation. An interactive session was co-chaired by Sudhir Vyas, Secretary (West), MEA and Ambassador Natama. The Heads of African Missions in New Delhi and the representatives of various Indian implementing agencies participated in the interactive session for a detailed review of the progress in implementation of IAFS decisions.

During their stay in New Delhi the visiting delegation held deliberations with senior officials in the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce and Industry. The delegation also visited National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC); Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT); Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL); and Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS). The delegation met with the representatives of various implementing agencies including Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), Solar Energy Centre (SEC), National Institute of Design (NID) et.al.