Crux on Address by the hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the University of Antananarivo Madagascar

1. The distance between Madagascar and India may seem wide – but in many senses we are neighbours. The waters of the Indian Ocean wash both our shores. The hopes and opportunities, concerns and challenges of this mighty ocean make us obvious partners. As per the International Seabed Authority, the undersea exploration zones of our countries are closest to each other.
2. Aside from geography, geology also connects us. Over 100 million years ago India and Madagascar were part of the same super-continent of Gondwana. As the continental drift occurred, the super-continent broke up and gradually, over thousands of years, Madagascar and India moved in separate directions. Yet, somewhere deep in our ancient rocks and soils, we are still cousins. We are both children of Gondwana.
3. In the 18^th century the first Indian migrants reached Madagascar. They received a generous welcome in this warm and hospitable land that – much like India I should add – is proud of its multiethnic character and pluralism. Today, the Madagascar-India relationship draws from a history of shared experiences. Our common goal of a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable world has led to our countries supporting each other in bilateral and multilateral forums. 
4. Madagascar was a distinguished participant at the first summit of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi.
5. As an island nation, you understand better than most the risks of climate change and the need to move away from fossil fuels towards renewable and particularly solar energy. As an ISA member state Madagascar will be accessing a solar grant pilot project to be commissioned by India’s National Institute of Solar Energy.
6. Madagascar and India are both young countries, with a determination and drive to change our destinies. One of the reasons I am here at this university is because I was very keen to interact with the youth of Madagascar – a country where 60 per cent of the population is below the age of 25. India’s demographic profile is very similar – 65 per cent of our people are under the age of 35. Young people in both our countries see the same dreams. We need to work together to make them – to make all of you – realise those dreams. We need to work together for India to help Madagascar in its developmental process – as per your country’s priorities.
7. It is fitting that at the base of the Madagascar-India relationship is education cooperation. India offers higher-education scholarships to Malagasy students under various heads – including the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, the India Africa Forum Summit initiative, and the C.V. Raman Fellowship, named after the first Indian scientist to win a Nobel Prize.
8. Hundreds of students from here have used the Pan-African e-Network Project, which started in 2010.The Government of India is in the process of upgrading this network so that more and more students, in Madagascar and across Africa, can benefit from online courses.
9. As important as education is public health. Here too Madagascar will continue to find India a willing partner. An increasing number of health professionals from Madagascar are participating in capacity-building programmes being offered by Indian medical institutions. Tele-medicine facilities are also being offered in collaboration with the Institute Médicale de Madagascar. Since 2010, top hospitals in India have been using this mechanism to provide free diagnosis to patients in Madagascar.
10. Both Madagascar and India are farming societies, with vast, fertile fields and hard-working farmers. It stands to reason that research in agriculture and the desire to help our farmers enhance productivity and incomes will bring us together. During my visit here, it has been my privilege to inaugurate the Centre for Geo-informatics Applications in Rural Development. This Centre is a tribute to our bilateral ties and will allow communities in Madagascar to use geospatial technologies for a host of applications in rural development.
11. Soil testing laboratories built with Indian support are helping farmers in Madagascar understand the needs and properties of their soil, and the specific nutrients that are required.
12. India is also helping construct a fertiliser plant in Madagascar.
13. Both Madagascar and India are endowed with precious natural and mineral resources. It is important that these are managed and developed in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner that brings jobs, benefits and prosperity to the local community. Here too India would be happy to support Madagascar’s efforts.
14. Our primary shared resource is, of course, the ocean – a vast expanse of water that holds within it many riches, much hope and sometimes hidden challenges as well. We need to explore the sea and we need to help fishing communities here in Madagascar. In parallel, we need to ensure maritime security and guard against environmental degradation. Above all, we need to be prepared for humanitarian disasters and the unpredictable moods of the ocean. Malagasy and Indian Navies are close partners and Indian ships have made several friendly visits to Madagascar. I would particularly like to recall the visit of our ship INS Trikand in 2016. 

Source:PIB