India-Libya Relations
Though separated by geography, India and Libya enjoy strong bilateral ties. India
established its Mission in Tripoli in 1969. The high water mark of Indo-Libya relations was
the visit of Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi to Libya in 1984. India has supported
Libya in international fora. India welcomed the UN Security Council resolution 1506 adopted
on September 12, 2003, lifting sanctions imposed on Libya. Since then, there has been a
series of high-level visits between India and Libya. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Mr. Murli Deora visited Libya in January 2007. EAM Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited Libya
in May 2007. Deputy Speaker of Rajya Sabha, Shri Rehman Khan visited Libya in September
2009 to participate in the 40th Anniversary of Al-Fatah Revolution. From the Libyan side,
Minister for Asian Affairs, Mr. Burrani visited India in March 2007. The Minister for
Economy, Trade and Investment Mr. Alasawi visited India in July 2007 on the occasion of
10th session of Indo-Libya Joint Commission. Minister for African Affairs, Dr. Abdussalam
Treki, led the Libyan Delegation, which participated in the India-Africa Forum Summit at
New Delhi in April 2008. Captain Ramadan, Secretary, Administration Committee of
Harbours Authority (Minister of State) visited India in March 2009 for negotiating the
bilateral Shipping Agreement. Dr.Treki as UNGA President visited India in 2010. Libyan
Foreign Minister Mr.Abdelati al Obeidi visited India in July 2011.
Important Bilateral Treaties and Agreements
Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (1981),
Agreement for Cooperation in the field of Health and Medical Sciences (1983)
Agreement on Economic Cooperation (1985),
Cultural Agreement (1985)
Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) (2007)
Cultural Cooperation Agreement (2007).
Economic and Commercial Relations
India and Libya have enjoyed close economic ties. In 1978, the two countries signed
a framework agreement on “Protocol on Industrial, Economic and Scientific Cooperation”.
This was the beginning of consultations on economic cooperation between the two countries
under Indo-Libyan Joint Commission (ILJC). Till now, a total of ten sessions of ILJC have
been held.
The economic cooperation between the two countries spans the entire spectrum of
commercial activities. Indian companies especially in Hydrocarbon, Power, Construction
and IT sector have several ongoing projects in Libya. Indian Oil majors -Indian Oil, Oil India
and ONGC Videsh (OVL) are increasingly involving themselves with Libyan hydrocarbon
sector-both in Upstream as well downstream. BHEL has successfully completed execution of
prestigious Western Mountain Gas Turbine Power Project. I-flex Solutions is implementing a
project on core banking solutions with Central Bank of Libya and other five banks. Also over
the past three decades, Indian companies have executed several projects. These included
building hospitals, houses, schools, roads, power plants, airports, dams, transmission lines
etc.
The presence of Indian Companies in Libya had risen significantly in the last five
years including major PSUs like BHEL, OVL, IOC, Oil India, and private companies Punj
Llyod, Unitech Ltd, K E C, Dastur Engineering, Shapoorji Pallonji Intenational, SECON Pvt
Ltd, Global Steel ltd (Ispat Group Co.), NIIT, Sun Pharma, Simplex Projects and Simplex
Infrastructure Ltd.
Bilateral Trade
As per latest statistics for the year 2010-11 (April – Dec), the bilateral trade stood at $
584.58 Million compared to total trade of US$ 844.62 Million for the year 2009-10. The
bilateral trade began showing significant upward trend since 2004-05, peaking to US $
1,366.65 Million in the year 2007-08 as compared to US $ 29.12 Million for the year 2003-
04.
The main items of our export basket were Electrical equipments, Machinery,
Mechanical Appliances, Vehicles, parts of turbines, Boilers, Iron & Steel articles, Project
goods, drugs and pharmaceuticals whereas Libya exported Mineral fuels, Mineral oils and
products of their distillation, bituminous substances, mineral waxes.
Trade Data Source: Ministry of Trade and Commerce, GOI and DGCI & S, Kolkata.
Note: The country's total imports since 2000-2001 does not include import of Petroleum Products and
Crude Oil
India-Libya Cultural Relations
A Cultural Cooperation Agreement (CCA) was signed in 2007 during the External Affairs
Minister’s visit to Libya. In the last three years, a number of Indian cultural troupes,
sponsored by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), have visited Libya and staged
cultural performances in different cities. An 8-member Cultural Group of Kathakali, led by
Shri Kalamandalam Raman Kutty, visited Libya in August 2008 and staged two
performances in Tripoli and in Sirte. An 8-member Libyan cultural troupe sponsored by
ICCR had visited India to perform during the first India-Africa Forum Summit, which was
held in India in February 2008.A 12-member “Anart” Kathak group visited Libya from 16th
November to 22nd November, 2009 and performed in three cities i.e. Tripoli, Sirte &
Benghazi
Air links with India
There is no direct flight from India. Convenient air routes were via Dubai (Emirates), London
(British airways), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Istanbul (Turkish Airways). After the
imposition of ‘No-Fly Zone’ over Libya, the most convenient route is through Tunis for
travelling to the western part of Libya and through Cairo for eastern Libya.
NRI/PIO population
NRI/PIO population in Libya was estimated to be 18,000 prior to the recent conflict in Libya.
While most of them left Libya during the present conflict, a few hundred Indians still remain
in Libya, mainly working in various universities and hospitals.
August 2011
