India–Malta relations
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India-Malta relations are the diplomatic relations between
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
and
Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
. With the rapid economic rise of India as the fifth largest global economy Malta opened a High Commission in
New Delhi New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House ...
in 2007. with Consulates in Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. In early 2018 India established a High Commission at St Venera in Malta


History

The political relations between the nations of Malta and India stretch back many years even before the two became independent nations. With the arrival of Britain to Malta in 1800 AD
Maltese Maltese may refer to: * Someone or something of, from, or related to Malta * Maltese alphabet * Maltese cuisine * Maltese culture * Maltese language, the Semitic language spoken by Maltese people * Maltese people, people from Malta or of Malte ...
were taken to India by Britain. Many Maltese dead lie buried in Indian graveyards. Maltese Catholic missionaries followed Maltese soldiers into India. In 1878, the British controlled Indian government dispatched 7000 Indian troops to the island of Malta. In 1924, Maltese Catholic Missionaries established themselves among the
Santhal Santhal may refer to : Places and jurisdictions * Santhal Pargana division, in Jharkhand state, (north)eastern India * Santhal State, former petty princely state in Mahi Kantha, Gujarat, western India People * Santhal people (part of the Tea ...
tribes in Dumka, Jharkhand, India. Over 73 Maltese Catholic priests have lived in India since 1924. In WWl Malta was used by the British for treating the wounded and for rehabilitating the injured. There is a Memorials at
Pietà Military Cemetery Pietà Military Cemetery in Pietà, Malta, is a burial ground for military personnel and their dependants. It is located in the south western suburbs of Valletta, on a minor road (Triq id-Duluri). The following are cared for by the Commonwealth W ...
to twenty eight Indians who fought for the British in World War I and died of wounds or illness in Malta. Entry to Pieta Military Cemetery is by Triq II-Principessa Melita. The bodies of 13 Indian soldiers and seven men of the Indian Labour Corps, who died in Malta, were cremated at the
Lazzaretto A lazaretto or lazaret (from it, lazzaretto a diminutive form of the Italian word for beggar cf. lazzaro) is a quarantine station for maritime travellers. Lazarets can be ships permanently at anchor, isolated islands, or mainland buildings. ...
Cemetery on
Manoel Island Manoel Island ( mt, Il-Gżira Manoel), formerly known as Bishop's Island ( mt, Il-Gżira tal-Isqof, it, Isola del Vescovo) or the ''Isolotto'', is a small island which forms part of the municipality of Gżira in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta. It is n ...
. Some of the Indians who died in Malta are Rifleman Dadrat Gurung, Havildar Jitbhadhur Thapa, Daffadar (Sergeant) Bal Ram, Driver Moti Lal, Driver Jai Ram and Labourer Khew Marak. Throughout
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the British used Malta as hub to bring Indian troops to and from the Atlantic. India was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Malta in 1964. India established diplomatic relationship with Malta in 1965. A High Commission of India was opened in Malta in 1993 but was later closed in 2002. In 2018 India reopened a High Commission at Triq Galanton Vassallo, St Venera in Malta. According to a
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
trade agreement, the two nations meet at least once annually to discuss
economic An economy is an area of the Production (economics), production, Distribution (economics), distribution and trade, as well as Consumption (economics), consumption of Goods (economics), goods and Service (economics), services. In general, it is ...
, industrial, scientific and technological trade as well as other relationship issues. As part of the
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
treaty both nations decided to establish stronger cultural ties. Added both nations agreed to honour each other's cultural heritage and promote cultural ties in each other's countries.


Diasporas

A renowned Maltese lived and worked in India in the 16th century CE. That was around the period of Emperor Akbar's reign of India. India was the leading global economy at that time. Links of India with nearby Roman Empire date back to before the rule of Emperor Augustus in Rome that is well recorded With the start of British rule in Malta in 1800 CE, Maltese went to India during the mass exodus out of Malta in the early 19th Century. A few Maltese in India fought alongside Britain against Indian freedom fighters and Princely states. Maltese Catholic missionaries followed Maltese soldiers to India. In 1924 AD. Maltese Catholic Missionaries set themselves up among the Santhal tribes in Dumka in Jharkhand state of India for aim of spread of Catholicism and for conversions. Seventy three Maltese priests have lived in India since 1924 and a few are still there. With the new strict visa rules coming into force in India, Maltese missionaries' entry into India is now restricted. There are several Maltese residents in India supported by the Maltese Consulate in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata that provide Consular service to them. Maltese firms like
Malta Enterprise Malta Enterprise is the Maltese government's exclusive agency focused on attracting inward investment and supporting enterprise in Malta. Its role is to act as a single point of contact for all enterprise support in Malta and to provide cohesion ...
s have a presence in India. In year 2007, there were around 200
Non-Resident Indians Overseas Indians (IAST: ), officially Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are Indians who live outside of the Republic of India. According to the Government of India, ''Non-Resident Indians'' are citizens of Indi ...
living in Malta. The number of Maltese living in India is unknown. Malta has a well-established small traders community of about 45 Sindhi Indian families, that traces its roots to migration of Sindhi traders starting around 1887 under British colonial rule of Malta. Malta did not attract people from any other part of India although Maltese have a continued presence in India since 1800 AD. While both countries were under British rule, Malta served as a convenient trading node for exporting silk and curios from India and Far East to places around the Mediterranean and South America. Although India has a long history of trading in the region that dates back to before the rule of Roman Emperor Augustus in Rome. Trade between India and the Roman empire is well documented. However following India's independence, and due to strict immigration laws in Malta, not a single Indian is said to have emigrated to Malta between 1952 and 1985. However apart from the Sindhis no Indian from any other part of India showed any interest in Malta. During the doctors strike in Malta some years ago a few Indian doctors were recruited to run Malta's health services. All the Indian doctors recruited returned back home. The traders of Indian descent in Malta belong to the Sindhi community and are locally known as ''l-Indjani'' ("the Indians"). The community maintains Indian traditions in Malta, such as privately organising celebrations of
Diwali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali ( IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is ...
,
Holi Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
Onam and other Hindu festivals. Though once isolated, it is now somewhat integrated into Maltese society and regarded as a local minority. Indians living in Malta keep a low profile in Maltese society. The Indian community meets at following address: 1st floor, 'Sukh Sagar', 'The Maltese-Indian Community Centre', 25 Triq Bella Vista, San Gwann SGN 2690 , Hinduism In Malta Catholic Malta does not recognize Hinduism as a religion. Hinduism and religions of India origin are described as cults. There are no Hindu temples and the Hindu deceased are buried instead of being cremated which is very upsetting to the global Hindu community.


Economic relations

The Maltese government encourages Indian firms to set up business in Malta. In order to attract Indian businesses Malta has offered various incentives to Indian companies. Malta has also signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Indian government, for the avoidance of double taxation. A global Indian pharmaceutical company Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has invested €16 million and set up a manufacturing plant in
Hal Far HAL may refer to: Aviation * Halali Airport (IATA airport code: HAL) Halali, Oshikoto, Namibia * Hawaiian Airlines (ICAO airline code: HAL) * HAL Airport, Bangalore, India * Hindustan Aeronautics Limited an Indian aerospace manufacturer of fight ...
, Malta that gives employment to over a hundred locals in Malta and helps train Pharmacy students at the
University of Malta The University of Malta (, UM, formerly UOM) is a higher education institution in Malta. It offers undergraduate bachelor's degrees, postgraduate master's degrees and postgraduate doctorates. It is a member of the European University Association ...
. Another Indian global generic medicines company, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, is investing €22 million in a new plant in Malta creating more jobs for locals. In the past Malta earned millions by arranging expensive Indian weddings and Bollywood films shoots in Malta. With India now ranking the fifth largest economy after USA, China Japan and Germany many Ministerial level Maltese trade missions frequent India seeking trade and investment. . For trade and Indian investment promotion Malta Enterprises has an office in India.


High level visits

Maltese Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami visited India in 1989. India and Malta later exchanged presidential visits: Indian President
Ramaswamy Venkataraman Ramaswamy Venkataraman (, 4 December 191027 January 2009) was an Indian lawyer, Indian independence activist and politician who served as a Union Minister and as the eighth president of India. Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village in Ta ...
visited Malta in 1990, and Maltese President
Ċensu Tabone Vincent "Ċensu" Tabone, (; 30 March 1913 – 14 March 2012) was the fourth president of Malta who also served as Minister and Nationalist MP. Early years Vincent Tabone was the son of Niccolò and Elisa Tabone, the youngest of ten children. Hi ...
visited India in 1992. In March 2005, Maltese Foreign Minister
Michael Frendo Michael Frendo (born 29 July 1955) is a former Maltese politician who currently is a lawyer and consultant. Previously he served in the government of Malta in various functions including as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2008 and Spe ...
visited India for a period of six days.
"Malta has called upon Indian entrepreneurs to set up shop in the Mediterranean island country and use it as an export hub to provide access to the European and North African markets." In November 2013 the Maltese Foreign Minister
George Vella George William Vella (born 24 April 1942) is a Maltese politician who has served as president of Malta since 2019. A member of the Labour Party, he previously served as deputy prime minister of Malta and foreign affairs minister from 1996 to 1 ...
met Shri Salman Khurshid, on the side-lines of ASEM meeting in New Delhi. In February 2015 (05-07),
Leo Brincat Leo Brincat (born 26 September 1949) is a Maltese politician, since 2016 member of the European Court of Auditors. Brincat was first elected to Maltese parliament in 1982 as a member of the Malta Labour Party and was minister for finance and com ...
, Minister for Sustainable Development visited India to participate in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. In March 2018, Maltese Foreign Minister
Carmelo Abela Carmelo Abela (born 10 February 1972) is a Maltese politician and is serving as an incumbent Labour MP and was the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security. He also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion. and as Deput ...
, visited India from 5–8 March 2018. Maltese PM Muscat met with British Indian billionaires and Industrialists including the Hinduja brothers who have topped UK rich list several times. The meeting took place at the House of Lords at the 'Indo European Business Forum' gathering on 2 and 3 November 2018. Malta PM Muscat later visited India from 18 to 20 January 2019 and met Indian PM Modi.


See also

*
Foreign relations of Malta After History of Malta, independence in 1964, Malta followed a policy of close co-operation with NATO countries. Since 1971, the country sought relations with the rest of the world, including communist countries in Eastern Europe and the non-al ...
* Foreign relations of India * India and the Non-Aligned Movement *
Malta and the Non-Aligned Movement Mediterranean island country of Malta was the third European member state of the Non-Aligned Movement (after charter members of Cyprus and SFR Yugoslavia) joining it in 1973. The country remained a part of the movement until 2004 when one of the ...
*
Hinduism in Malta Hinduism is the third largest religion in Malta after Christianity and Islam. However, it's not recognized as a formal religion. As of the 2021 census, there are 6,411 Hindus in Malta that constituted 1.42% of its population. In 2021, Charles J. ...


Bibliography

*Mark-Anthony Falzon
Origins and establishment of the Indian Business Community in Malta
Bank of Valletta Review, No. 24, Autumn 2001


References


External links


High Commission of Malta in New Delhi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta

Malta Media article on trade
{{DEFAULTSORT:India-Malta relations Bilateral relations of Malta
Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
Malta and the Commonwealth of Nations