Introduction
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was founded in
1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. At present the CIS includes
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Relations between India and
countries of the CIS Region have remained close and cordial since the Soviet
era. However, bilateral trade and commercial relations of India have not grown
commensurately with these newly formed countries. Due to the factors like
distance, language barrier, inadequate transport facility, inadequacy of
information about business opportunities CIS only constitutes 1.2% share in
India's total exports.
Major Trading Partners in the
CIS Region
Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus are India's
major trading partners, constituting more than 90% of India's total bilateral
trade with the CIS countries.
Major Items of Exports
India's major items of export to this region are : cotton,
drugs, pharmaceuticals coffee, tea tobacco machinery & instrument, processed
mineral, plastic and Linoleum products gem & jewellery, transport equipment,
etc.
India CIS Trade Relations - Armenia
Despite a trade agreement being signed, India's trade with Armenia after
independence has been not worth mentioning. Indian exports to Armenia in 2002
were worth US$ 5.6 million which mainly includes car batteries, chemical goods,
pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipments.
India CIS trade relations – Georgia
Trade relations between India and Georgia were established in 1992, according to
which two countries agreed that there would be cooperation within the framework
of Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Indian Technical and Economic
Cooperation. Trade turnover between India and Georgia in 2006 was US$
20,521,700. Laws on tariffs have been simplified and so far the trend has been
such that India's exports to Georgia have been more than Georgia's exports to
India.
India CIS Trade Relations – Ukraine
Ukraine is the second largest trade partner of India in the CIS region, after
the Russian Federation. Diplomatic relations between India and Ukraine were
established way back in the 1960s. In March, 1992 a treaty on friendship and
cooperation was signed to strengthen bilateral trade. More than 17 bilateral
Agreements have been signed between India and Ukraine, including agreements on
Cooperation in Science and Technology, Foreign Office Consultation, Cooperation
in Space Research, Avoidance of Double Taxation and Promotion and Protection of
Investments. The amount of bilateral trade that took place between the two
countries in 2004 was worth more than $500,000. India mainly exports
pharmaceutical products to Ukraine.
India CIS Trade Relations – Latvia
In 1991, diplomatic relations between the two countries were formed. Bilateral
trade relations between these two countries are not very intense due to inaction
on both sides. Import to Latvia amounted to US$ 16,954,219 and the export stood
at US$ 2,554,392 in 2005. The major export items from India include
pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, telecommunications, IT and software,
development; heavy engineering; export of textiles gems and jewellery, chemicals
and dyes, vegetables and fruits, leather and leather products and third country
exports.
India CIS Trade Relations – Estonia
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in December,
1991. In 2005, the total amount of bilateral trade that took place was €19.6
million. India mainly exports vegetables, chemical, and textile products to
Estonia.
India CIS Trade Relations – Lithuania
In July, 1993 an Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed between
India and Lithuania. India mainly exports pharmaceuticals, paper, and textiles
items to Lithuania. The major items imported from India include pharmaceuticals,
paper, and textiles. Lithuania exports cement, metals, sulphur, and base metals.
The total bilateral trade between the two countries stands at US$ 47.06.
India CIS Trade Relations – Belarus
In 2005, India's trade turnover with Belarus amounted to around US$ 118.3
million. The export items from India include pharmaceuticals, tea, rice, pepper,
yarn, organic dyes, machine and electrical equipments.
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