IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

India-Ukraine relations                                                                                               

24th February, 2022 International News

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Context: India keenly following developments as tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia.

 

India-Ukraine relation:

Political relations

  • India has had friendly relations with Ukraine even when the latter was a republic part of the Soviet Union.
  • Ukraine has been positively co-operating with India at the international level.
  • Ukraine supports the resolution of the issue of Jammu & Kashmir on the basis of Simla agreement. Ukraine also supports reforms of the UN structure.

 

Education:

  • According to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine, there are more than 18,000 students studying medical or engineering in the country.
  • India offers training programs to Ukraine under:
    • ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) program, which offers training or capacity building programs in different centers of excellence in India.
    • ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarship, which offers higher-level courses covering wide range of subjects in eminent Indian Institutions.
    • Kendriya Hindi Sansthan Scholarship programm, which offers scholarships to foreign students to pursue higher-level Hindi language courses.

 

Diplomatic relations

  • India was one of the first countries to recognize Ukraine. Government of India recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign country in December 1991.
  • India and Ukraine established diplomatic relations in January 1992.
  • Ukraine opened its Mission in Delhi in February 1993 – its first in Asia.
  • More than 17 bilateral agreements have been signed between India and Ukraine, including agreements on Co-operation in Science and Technology, Foreign Office Consultation, Co-operation in Space Research, Avoidance of Double Taxation and Promotion and Protection of Investments.

 

Science and technology relations

  • Under the Agreement signed between India and Ukraine in May 1992, the Joint S&T Committee meets annually to discuss implementation of projects, holding of exhibitions and co-operation in scientific research.

 

Trade:

  • Ukraine is India's second largest trade partner after Russia in the former Soviet Union.
  • In March, 1992 the Treaty on Friendship and Co-operation was signed between India and Ukraine, providing a major boost to India-Ukraine trade relations.
  • India was the 15th largest export and the 2nd largest import market of pharmaceutical products for Ukraine in 2020. As for India, Ukraine is the 23 rd largest export market and the 30 th largest import for India in the same category.
  • India had a trade deficit of $1.7 billion with Ukraine in 2020. The number is inclusive of exports which stood at $438.3 million and imports of $2.1 billion.
  • India major exports to Ukraine are electrical and electronic equipment, plastics and related articles, oil seeds, oleagaic fruits, grain, fruits, seeds and chemical products.
  • India’s major imports from Ukraine are animal, vegetable fats and oil, cleavage products- totalling to $1.6 billion in terms of value in 2020 and fertilisers which stood at $232.8 million.

 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/explained-i-indias-educational-and-trade-links-in-ukraine/article65076521.ece?homepage=true