India–Nauru relations

India-Nauru relations

India	Nauru

Bilateral relations between India and Nauru have been established since the island's independence in 1968. Nauru had invested in Paradeep Phosphates Ltd (incorporated in 1981) a joint venture between Governments of India and Nauru. Former President Bernard Dowiyogo visited India in June 1993, when Nauru dis-invested its shares due to the losses incurred worth A$63.8 million in Paradeep Phosphate Ltd. India bought Nauru's equity for the amount Nauru had initially invested. Former President Kinza Clodumar visited India during April, 1998 to attend the First Assembly Meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The visit was utilized for bilateral exchange of views and President was treated as a state guest for two days after the GEF meeting.

India is one of the largest donors to the island by helping the education ministry to set up transportation facilities for the students and funds for recruiting more teachers for the schools and has improved the infrastructure of the parliament by setting up of transportation and computer connections for the MP's and the speaker. In August 2003, President René Harris wrote to the Indian Prime Minister seeking India’s help in power plant, water desalination plant, computer system and loan of Australian $10 million. In November 2003, Government of Nauru again requested for deputation of a team of experts in the field of computer, mining of phosphate, power generation and desalination plant. President Marcus Stephen visited India in October 2010 for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games where the island won a gold and a silver medal in weightlifting at the Games.

In the job sectors, the government of India allotted 5 slots to Nauru for training courses under the Indian Technical & Economical Cooperation (ITEC) programme in the year 2010-11. One scholarship slot is also offered under General Cultural Scholarship of ICCR (Commonwealth Scheme).

India was admitted as Dialogue Partner of the 33rd Pacific Islands Forum summit as a continued help to Nauru and other pacific island nations. The Indian High Commissioner to Fiji is concurrently accredited to Nauru and Nauru has an Honorary Consul General in New Delhi.