India-Lebanon Relations

Cultural Cooperation Agreements: There is a Cultural Agreement between India and Lebanon which was signed in April 1997 during the visit of Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Fares Boueiz for the Non-Aligned Ministerial Conference in New Delhi. The agreement came into force with the exchange of instruments of ratification on February 4, 2000.

Bilateral Trade: Total volume of India-Lebanon trade during 2004 was US$ 141 million as compared to US$ 98.2 million in 2003, an annual increase of 43.58 percent. Balance of trade is heavily in favour of India which has reached US$ 87 million in 2004.

Featuring:

‹›

Imports from India: Indian exports to Lebanon amounted to US$ 114 million in 2004 compared to US$ 84 million in 2003. Over half of the total import is made up of textiles & its articles and Gems & Jewellery. Other major items are animal products, articles of plastic, vegetable products, Machinery/electrical instruments and articles of base metal. Meat and meat products, especially frozen buffalo meat, has a good market as it is cheaper in comparison to fresh meat. Local authorities have banned the import of frozen meat from India since August 2004. APEDA has been kept informed of these developments.

Exports to India: Lebanese exports to India amounted to US$27 million in 2004 as compared to US$13.8 million in 2003, registering a marginal increase. The Lebanese exports have remained around US$ 14 million since 1999. Indian imports from Lebanon mainly constitute products of chemicals/allied industry (25.9%) and base metal and its articles (59.25 percent).

Featuring:

‹›

Trade Bodies: The Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Beirut is the apex body engaged in promotion of trade in the country. In addition, businessmen forums have also been established in each of the two countries with the objective of promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The Indo-Lebanese Businessmen Forum was set up in Delhi in November 1996 and the Beirut Traders Association in 1997.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): The Indian battalion assumed its responsibilities as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon in November 1998, replacing the Norwegian battalion which was withdrawn by Norway after it had served for two decades. Its responsibility is to maintain peace and security within its area of operations. The Indian battalion also render humanitarian assistance consisting of medical assistance, veterinary aid, technical support to schools, etc. to various villages in its area of operations.

Featuring:

‹›

At present, 15 Assam Regiment is serving in South Lebanon under the Command of UNIFIL and is deployed at the most sensitive part of the Blue Line which is United Nations demarcated imaginary line between South Lebanon and North Israel. Col. Tummala Sambaiah is the Commanding Officer of the Indian Battalion from November 2004. Col. Binoy Poonnen is the present Contingent Commander.

Visa requirements for Indians: It is necessary for Indians to obtain visas before entering Lebanon. The passports should be valid for at least a year. Yellow fever inoculation is necessary for those entering Lebanon from yellow fever affected areas. It is also advisable to obtain visa for UAE. Diplomatic/Official visas to the Diplomats and Official posted to Embassy of India in Lebanon are issued based on the note verbale from Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. The approval from the local Labour Ministry of Work is required subject to clearance by the Directorate of Security General in Lebanon for a 90-day visa for businessmen. Tourist visas are also granted subject to approval by Directorate General of Security. There is no record in the Indian Embassy of the people coming on Student Visa to Lebanon.

Featuring:

‹›

Air links with India/Convenient Travel Routes: The only international airport and principal gateway to Lebanon is Beirut International Airport. Travel to Beirut by air from Delhi/Bombay is via Dubai, and from Kolkata, via Jordan. The address of Air India office in Beirut is : P.O. Box No. 11-2348, Sannayeh, Spears Street, Beirut (Ms. Najla Hitti, Sales Representative, Tel: 00-961-1-736109; Fax: 00-961-1-738306)

Links to local organizations dealing with India: Lebanon India Business Forum, Tel: 00-961-1-652672;

Featuring:

‹›

Fax: 00-961-1-664468; Website: www.lebanonindiabusinessforum.com. E-Mail: rashidbeydoun@hotmail.com.

Indian community in Lebanon: The Indian community in Lebanon consists mainly of semi skilled and unskilled workers estimated at around 12,000, employed in civil construction, factories and farms. Majority of them are from Punjab and Tamil Nadu, a few hundred from Haryana and Kerala. As per Embassy’s records, there are only 25 PIOs in Lebanon. There are half a dozen executive level Indians in Lebanon who have come in mainly through the Gulf.

Featuring:

‹›