News

On 11 November in New Delhi, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė opened the Lithuania-India Business Forum that was organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and, together with Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Madhusudan Ganapathi, discussed prospects for the development of bilateral political, economic, cultural and scientific relations.

The Forum was attended by 16 businessmen from Lithuania who presented their businesses to the Indian business representatives.

The Vice-Minister stressed that it was very important for Lithuania to find its niche and to look for business opportunities on a gigantic Indian market.

At the Business Forum, the Indian-Baltic Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding.

At the bilateral political consultations with M.Ganapathi, the Vice-Minister also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, possible joint projects of Lithuania and India in this country, experience and cooperation in international organizations, the EU-India policy guidelines, relations with neighboring Russia and important global policy issues.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė said that in 2012 India and Lithuania would celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and suggested to organize a variety of cultural events on this occasion.

The Vice-Minister once again reminded that Lithuania looked forward to the opening of the Embassy of India in Vilnius. The Lithuanian Embassy in India was opened in 2008. First Lithuanian Ambassador to India Petras Šimeliūnas presented his credentials on 8 April 2010.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė also gave a lecture at the Indian Council for World Affairs. The Vice-Minister reviewed Lithuania’s path and current policy issues. A discussion took place after the lecture.

The Vice-Minister met with Lithuania’s Honorary Council in India Om Prakash Lohia and thanked him for his activities in promoting Lithuania’s name in his country and boosting bilateral economic and cultural ties.

In the first half of 2011, the turnover between Lithuania and India amounted to 178.23 million Litas. Lithuania’s trade balance with India was positive and amounted to 66.03 million Litas. In the first half of 2011, Lithuania’s exports to India amounted to 122.13 million Litas and, as compared with the same period in 2010, decreased by 47.2%.

Lithuania and India established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1992.