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How are the bilateral relations between India and Ukraine at present? How have they evolved over the last decade?
Ukraine and India are countries that traditionally share a similar vision on a majority of important issues of modern life. Besides, they have a lot in common regarding their ancient and modern history.
Relations between Ukraine and India were established as early as in the 1960s–70s in the times of the former USSR when Ukraine, together with other ex-Soviet republics, was providing economic and military aid to the Republic of India that had obtained its independence shortly before. According to the experts’ estimation in the days of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s contribution to India amounted to approximately 30% of the total Soviet Union aid package, while in some sectors – metallurgy, energy sector, heavy engineering, arms procurement (in particular, delivery of transport planes, combat ships, etc.) – Ukraine’s share was much bigger. The country played its significant role in developing Indian space programs. First Indian space artificial satellites were assembled by the world-known “Pivdenmash” missile plant in the city of Dnipropetrovsk.
The Republic of India recognized Ukraine’s state independence on 26 December 1991, and the Protocols on the Establishment of Diplomatic and Consular Relations between Ukraine and India were signed in Kyiv on 17 January 1992.
The Embassy of the Republic of India started its work in Kyiv on 07 May 1992, and the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi was opened in 1993.
The Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation, signed in March 1992, laid the basis for further intensification of bilateral relations.
A range of reciprocal visits of Ukrainian and Indian high-ranking officials took place after diplomatic relations between the two countries were established. In 1992-93, there was an exchange of official visits at the level of Presidents. In 1992, the Indian Defence Minister arrived in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister paid a visit to India in 1994. A number of important treaties were signed as a result of those visits.
In 1995-2001, a number of meetings between Ukrainian and Indian leaders took place in third countries mostly during the sessions of the UN General Assembly.
A new stage in Ukrainian-Indian relations began in 2001. It became possible because the leadership of both countries were firmly convinced of the necessity in further comprehensive development of mutually beneficial relations.
The state visit of the Ukrainian President to India on 02-05 October 2002 was undoubtedly a crucial event in Ukrainian-Indian relations. The contacts between the two states have essentially intensified since then. The visit has become a turning point in the last decade of Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations and was evaluated by the Ukrainian President as a real “breakthrough”. Renewal of bilateral political dialogue between Ukraine and India at the level of top officials, beginning of a new stage in Ukraine-India relations as well as defining new perspectives in intensifying mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukraine and India in political, trade and economic, military, scientific, and humanitarian spheres have become a key political outcome of the Ukrainian President’s official visit to India. Another important result of the Ukraine President’s visit to India was the decision to put political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of Ukraine and India, meetings of the intergovernmental Ukraine-India Commission on Economic, Trade, Industrial, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation, meetings of the Joint Business Council as well as meetings of Ukraine-India Committee on Cooperation in Science and Technology on a systematic and regular basis. A range of agreements on cooperation in economic, legal, trade, and tourism spheres were signed. Contacts between the space agencies of both nations were also renewed. Regular flights between Kyiv and Delhi have intensified the exchange of business delegations.
The official visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to India in January 2003 was aimed at consolidating the agreements achieved after the state visit of the Ukrainian President to India in October 2002.
Ukraine-India inter-parliamentary relations commenced during the visit of Volodymyr Lytvyn, Speaker of the Verkovna Rada of Ukraine, to India on 01-04 December 2003. It was the first visit of the Ukrainian top-parliamentary official to India.
I believe, that Ukraine and India possess huge potential and bright future of bilateral cooperation, which lies in further developing relations in political, trade and economic, cultural, and especially in the realms of science and technology, defence, and peaceful exploration of outer space. It gives me immense pleasure to state that the year 2005, especially the political consultations in May and the meeting of H.E. Mr. V. Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, and H.E. Dr .A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of the Republic of India, in June has vividly shown and proven that.
During that visit the Ukrainian President also stated that India is worth being a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The need to reform the United Nations is a natural phenomenon, proceeding from new tasks and challenges. In my opinion, Ukraine and India have similar positions on the matter.
What are the sectors in which synergies exist and both countries can cooperate for mutual benefit?
Trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and India has been developing at a rapid pace. The trade turnover between the two countries during 2003–05 has increased by three times and exceeded one billion dollars (US$1058.3 million). Export from Ukraine to India has increased 3.6 times to US$736.9 million. Import from India to Ukraine has increased two-fold to US$321.4 million, with positive trade balance for Ukraine of US$415.5 million.
Main commodities of Ukrainian export to India are:
1. Production of metallurgy – 60.6% from total volume of export, most of it is flat metal – 75%;
2. Fertilizers – 18.3%;
3. Engines (turbo engine, gas turbine) – 3.8%;
4. Pipes (seamless pipes) – 2.3%.
Main commodities of import from India to Ukraine:
1. Drugs, pharmaceutical – 42.2%;
2. Ore and aluminium and titan concentrate – 15.2%;
3. Tobacco products – 5.2%;
4. Polyester resin – 3.2%.
Medium and heavy industry. The Ukrainian enterprises: “Novo-Kramatorskiy machine-building plant” and Mariupol plant “Azovmash” – manufacturers and suppliers of equipment for Indian metallurgical enterprises, JSC “Tourboatom”, Kharkov, manufacturer and supplier of equipment for hydro, thermal, and nuclear power plants, well known in many countries of the world, Transformer plant and JSC “Motor-Sich”, Zaporozhye, “Zarya-Mashproekt”, Mykolayiv, and also a number of others have a high reputation and long-term experience of the Indian market.
Taking into account the long-term plans of the Government of India for projects of development of infrastructure, metallurgy, power, transport, oil and gas industry, and others like that, there are real prospects of participation of Ukrainian enterprises, which have experience in the sectors of these projects. The Embassy facilitates to establish and develop contacts between Ukrainian and Indian enterprises and companies.
Pharmaceutical industry. Growth of volume of the import of pharmaceutical products from India to Ukraine every year (reference: growth in 2005 against 2004 – 30.2 %) to suggest that cooperation in this field has good prospects.
The indicative example of Ukrainian-Indian cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical is an agreement about joint building a new pharmaceutical plant in Sumy, Ukraine.
Agro-processing industries. The Indian side considers the Draft Agreement between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic India on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation more than two years.
In the bilateral commodity turnover between Ukraine and India, basically India is the supplier of agricultural produce: tobacco, US$16.8 million; food extracts, US$5 million; rice, US3.2 million; peanut, US$2.9 million; and tea, US$1.9 million.
The participation of the Ukrainian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine in the Meeting “India – CIS Agrifood Business”, which was held in Delhi on 09-10 March 2006, will give a new impulse to the development of Ukrainian-Indian bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Science and technology. Ukrainian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of science and technology has a rich history of events.
Our cooperation in the field of science and technology is an important, positive element of Ukrainian-Indian bilateral interaction. Ukraine and India work successfully in this sphere on the basis of the Program of Cooperation signed in the year 2000 and the respective Protocol defining the most promising projects signed in 2001. In this legal framework, our countries – to the benefit of both sides – exercise active scientific and research exchange.
But the last three years were the most fruitful.
First of all, the sides established regular meetings of the Ukrainian-Indian Scientific and Technological Cooperation Committee.
Second, Ukrainian scientific and technical exhibitions took place in Hyderabad (“INDUK-2003”, March 2003) and in New Delhi (“IndiaSoft-2004”, February 2004).
Third, the International Laboratory for Electron Beam Technologies has been jointly established by Ukrainian and Indian specialists in Hyderabad.
I estimate these important events as a considerable contribution to the relationship between our countries.
I hope that the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the Fields of Science and Technology, and the Protocol to the above-mentioned Agreement on Protection of Rights to Intellectual Property Objects will be signed at the nearest future.
The last year visit to Ukraine of Indian President Abdul Kalam gave new impulse in our cooperation in the sphere of science and technology.
I’m sure that all commitments of the two leaders concerning first of all permanent meetings of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation and Ukrainian-Indian Scientific and Technological Cooperation Committee, conducting Days of Indian science and technology in Ukraine, exchange of visits for experts will be carried out for mutual benefit of our countries.
I’m also looking forward to the visit to Ukraine of Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Department of Ocean Development Shri Kapil Sibal.
The Ukrainian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of space exploration based on the agreement signed in 1994 should be revived.
I hope that the visits to Ukraine of the delegations of the Indian Space Research Organisation in September 2002 and in July 2003 were the major steps in identifying of the spheres of mutual interest in space research.
An important agreement was signed last year in Kiev during the visit of President Abdul Kalam to Ukraine. It was a Framework Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Presidents Yushchenko and Kalam charged the National Space Agency of Ukraine and the Indian Space Research Organisation with the development of a long-term space area cooperation program.
I believe there is a tremendous prospect for our cooperation in the sphere of space. We have a lot to offer each other in this field.
Information and communication technology (ICT). In general, the contacts between Ukrainian and Indian scientists and companies in the sphere of information technology are sporadic and usually take place first of all during international conferences and exhibitions like “IndiaSoft” 2004, 2005.
The huge Indian IT-company “CMC Ltd.” visited Ukraine in 2004 looking for partners for cooperation in the sphere of information technology and communications. Simultaneously, another Indian IT company “Aptech Ltd.” established an educational IT-centre in Ukrainian Transport University.
Today, the Indian Side is considering the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Collaboration between the V.M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine and the National Information Centre of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of India.
Regarding great scientific potential of our country, the Indian Side is interested in deepening bilateral cooperation with Ukraine to create joint enterprises and to export Indian IT products to Ukraine.
The most useful for Ukraine could be the Indian experience of development of the IT technologies and information industry.
I feel there is a good prospect for our cooperation in the fields of information technology and communications. We have a lot to offer each other in these fields.
Cooperation in defence between India and Ukraine has old and well-established traditions, which have their roots in the times of the former USSR, as technologically Ukraine was one of the most advanced republics of the former Soviet Union.
The first Indian space satellites were constructed in Ukraine in the city of Dnipropetrovsk, the Ukrainian ship-building companies built ships for the Indian Navy, and the Ukrainian port of Odessa was a “Sea Gate” of India to Europe.
These days, Ukraine works in the international arms market offering weapons, military hardware, technologies, and defence services and holds a place that is worthy of its scientific and technological potential.
The airspace industry is one of the high technological branches of the Ukrainian industry. The aircraft and space factories can design and produce such missile carriers as “Zenit” and “Cyclone”. Nowadays Ukraine takes part in many international space projects such as “SEALAUNCH”, where the start preparation of “Zenit” is fully automated.
Aeronautical Scientific and Engineering Complex “Antonov”, Kyiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company “AVIANT”, Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company, Zaporizhya Machine Building Design Bureau “Progress”, and Open Joint Stock Society “Motor Sich” are acknowledged leaders of the Ukrainian Aviation Industry. The aircraft factories produce such planes as An-32, An-38, An-74, An-140, An-124 “Ruslan”, An-225 “Mriya”.
The airplane An-32 has been developed by Ukrainian ANTONOV design bureau especially for India in view of its geographical and climatic conditions. Now the Ukrainian enterprises are cooperating with the Indian Air Force in prolongation of the terms of operation of these planes and in their modernisation.
Recently, ANTONOV design bureau developed a new medium transport plane, An-70, which presently has no analogues in the world. The presentation of this new plane took place in the Staff of the Indian Air Forces in February 2003.
This aircraft has features such as ability to use unpaved un-instrumented short strips, all-weather operation around-the-clock and around-the-year at all latitudes both on route and out of route, combination of high cruising speed with high fuel efficiency, and increased cargo compartment dimension.
The Ukrainian State Holding Company “Artem” produces air-to-air medium range aviation guided missiles for MIG-29, SU-27, and SU-30. Open Joint Stock Society “Motor Sich” makes engines for Antonov aircraft, and Mi and Ka helicopters. The Nikolayev Aircraft Repair Plant and other Ukrainian factories for many years carried out repairs of aviation equipment for the Indian Navy.
Today, Ukraine has unique opportunities for manufacturing of radar-tracking systems for Army, Air Force, and Navy. The Ukrainian passive radar “Kolchuga” is world famous. This passive radar does not radiate radio waves and consequently cannot be found out and destroyed by the enemy.
The system can find out planes, including those made with “Stealth” technologies at a distance up to 600 km and in the front area up to 1000 km.
Ukraine has proposed to India not only to deliver, but also to transfer the “know-how” of radar 1L-220U Weapon Location Radar, Low Level Transportable Radar, and Surveillance Radar Equipment.
The shipbuilding enterprises in Ukraine have wide experience in development and building of vessels and ships of different classes and type: aircraft carriers, capacity tankers, hovercraft and hydrofoil craft, etc. For example, without exception, all aircraft carriers of the former USSR, including the aircraft carrier already known in India “Admiral Gorshkov”, were built in the Ukrainian City of Nikolaev.
Currently, these enterprises are specialised in building cruisers, frigates, corvettes, tankers, frontier guards and custom ships, salvage boats, trawlers, refrigerator ships, tugs, floating docks.
The foreign partners have already highly appreciated high technical characteristics of “Zubr” - air cushion landing ships, multipurpose patrol boats.
Ukrainian enterprises that develop, produce, and modernise Armoured and Military Engineering Vehicles and Air Defence Systems have wide experience. The beginning of the tank building in Ukraine was marked by the creation of a specialised Design Bureau in Kharkiv in 1927, where the legendary tank T-34 was made. T-34 became the most popular tank during and after Word War II.
Nowadays, the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau has developed the T-84 MBT (all its component parts are manufactured in Ukraine), which is one of the best tanks of the third generation. The tank features an engine with power of 1200 hp, thermal image sight, roller steel turret of all-welded construction, and improved transmission.
Besides, the Design Bureau and the tank enterprises of Ukraine have special technology, which successfully apply to modernisation of tanks T-72 and T-55. Today Ukraine is ready to transfer technology and to assist in modernisation of Indian tanks T-72 and T-55.
The production market “Made in Ukraine” features: optimum price indices, simplicity of use, servicing and training of users, high level of stability, possibility of completion and modernisation.
Ukraine never imposes political conditions on her partners and never overestimates the value of the old equipment.
Prospects in the field tourism, hotel industry, and transportation. Cooperation between Ukraine and India in the field of tourism and hotel business has very small volumes.
Reference: on statistics of the Ministry of tourism of India about 3000-4000 Ukrainian tourists annually visit India.
For development of cooperation in the field of tourism and hotel business, it is suggested, above all things, to develop relations between the tourist firms of Ukraine and India, to hold joint measures, to extend an exchange by information.
Signing in August 2003 of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of India on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism established the legal base for development of bilateral relations in this direction.
Opening in December 2003 of a direct fly route between Ukraine and India gives wonderful possibilities for the increase of exchange by tourist groups.
What are the prospects and incentives, if any, available for Indian businesses venturing in Ukraine?
We know about the possibilities and capacity of India and its private sector to invest. Ukraine, in its turn, has a great potential and good experience in this field with some European, Asian, and American Countries. But, unfortunately, despite these facts, the volume of Indian investment in Ukraine is insignificant (approx. US$8.3 million).
We are trying to change the situation by circulating in India information about attractive investment projects in our Country, giving information about Ukrainian enterprises, business opportunities, etc. We also feel that our legal base should be improved. This process requires some time and after that the Indian investors must show their interest.
I also strongly feel that the biggest potential have direct inter-regional relations between our countries. This field should also be actively exploited by businesses from both sides.
What are the commonalities in ideologies between India and Ukraine? Are there any hindrances that need to be overcome?
As is well known, Indian ideology came from ancient traditions of peace and brotherhood and at the same time joined with the requirement of nowadays for defending the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the country and also promoting the all-round prosperity of Indian people. These principles are closely related to Ukrainian ones. Our foreign policy moves by national interests and progress of our people in harmony with whole civilized world. As well as India, we share our experience and achievements with our friendly countries to contribute their progress and striving for adequate place of Ukraine in world community.
How has the split from the erstwhile Soviet Union benefited the people of Ukraine economically, culturally, and politically?
In my opinion every nation in the world has its own history, language, and culture and the most significant moment for each nation is the appearance of independence and the first state system elements.
After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine got an amazing opportunity to develop independently all of the state features, create own law and justice, protect freedom and human rights, etc.
In 1991, my country became a full member of the international community as a new independent, sovereign, and democratic republic. Ukraine, as one of the biggest states in Europe, joined the global political world and European structure, and sustained the policy of peace and stability, promoted wide political dialogue with foreign countries. Particularly, Ukraine refused military nuclear programme and supports non-proliferation measures of the weapons of mass destruction.
Based on geopolitical and geo-economic priorities, the Ukrainian Government formulated fundamental principles of foreign policy mainly directed to the European and Euro Atlantic integration.
Despite some serious difficulties concerned with the split from the erstwhile Soviet economic system, Ukraine successfully improved internal economic links and trade and economic relations with foreign countries.
Nowadays we cautiously retain our cultural and historical heritage, national relics and works of art, develop Ukrainian language. We hold Ukrainian traditions that were deeply intertwined with other former soviet nations.
Are there any high-level visits between the two countries expected in the near future?
Implementation of the agreements concluded between our Presidents during Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s state visit to Ukraine in June 2005 is the top priority of Indo-Ukrainian relations nowadays. Besides, we are planning some bilateral contacts in the near future. Ukrainian and Indian sides are considering the terms of the Foreign Office Consultations on the level of deputy ministers of foreign affairs. We hope of the fruitful visits of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine to India and the Minister of Science and Technology of India to Ukraine in 2006 – beginning 2007.
We are expecting intensification of trade and economic cooperation between our countries after the next session of the Indo-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission, which will be held in the near future.
The stable improvement of Indo-Ukrainian trade and economy relations, especially, should be the main result of intensification of the political dialogue between our two countries.
What is being done to increase cultural exchanges between India and Ukraine?
During the meeting of the Ukrainian and Indian Presidents in June 2005 they agreed to announce the year of 2006 the Year of Friendship, Year of Ukrainian culture in India and Indian culture in Ukraine.
The Indian delegation offered to exchange children’s delegations. According to the Indian President, his country has already invited some 100 Ukrainian children to live in Indian families and attend Indian schools for one month. The same number of Indian children was proposed to come to Ukraine.
We are doing our best for implementation of the mentioned agreements in the nearest future.
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