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Transcript of Special Briefing by Secretary (West) on President's visit to Serbia (June 08, 2023)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

June 09, 2023

Shri Rajesh Uike, JS(XP): Good evening, everyone. I welcome you all to this special media briefing on the ongoing visit of Honorable President to Serbia. And for that, I have the pleasure to introduce you sitting on dais with me, Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, Press Secretary to the President, Shri Sanjiv Kohli, Ambassador of India to Serbia and Shri Arun Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (Central Europe). Going forward, now I would like to request Secretary (West) to brief on the visit.

Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West): Thank you. Good afternoon. Namaskar. I will read out a media statement and thereafter we will be open to a few questions. I begin reading the media statement. As you know, Honorable Rashtrapati ji is paying a state visit to Serbia. She is accompanied by Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Honorable Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Shrimati Ramadevi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and a high-level official delegation. Yesterday, Rashtrapati ji arrived at noon from Suriname after completing her first leg of the visit. This is her first visit to Europe. This is also the first Presidential visit from either side after the creation of Serbia. Earlier, the last President from India to visit Serbia in the erstwhile Yugoslavia was in the year 1972, almost 51 years ago. On arrival, Rashtrapati ji was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honor at the airport. President paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Belgrade on arrival. Later in the afternoon, she addressed a gathering of Indian diaspora and friends of India. She underlined that both India and Serbia are ancient lands and the relationship has been defined in the context of the Non-Aligned Movement. In recent years, both sides have shared understanding of each other's core interests. Serbia has been a valuable partner in India's sustainable development program. As India emerges as a leading power, her role will enhance on issues related to climate change, counter terrorism, connectivity, maritime security, financial inclusion, food and energy security. Rashtrapati ji appreciated and admired the contribution of the diaspora and friends of India and underscored their positive contribution towards strengthening India-Serbia relationship. One interesting aspect of yesterday's community event was that unlike in several other places, there were probably more friends of India than the Indian community in the hall and that is possibly because of her long-standing affinity with this part of the world. And on the other hand, the Indian community is at its incipient state here and we believe that in the coming few years, you will find more Indian professionals here, students, entrepreneurs, etc. Coming to today's events, it was a packed day of official engagements which started with the Guard of Honor at the Serbia Palace followed by restricted level talks, delegation level talks, Joint address to the media and a business event. There was also a call on by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, Dr. Vladimir Orlic on Rashtrapati ji and a few minutes back, we have just returned after Rashtrapati ji laid a wreath at the 'Monument to the Unknown Hero' atop Mount Avala. During the interactions this morning, both Presidents reiterated old commitments and resolved to explore new areas of cooperation for further strengthening bilateral relations. During delegation level talks, President Vučić was joined by the Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Culture, Health, Mining and Energy, Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Trade and Tourism and Youth, which means eight members of the cabinet were present today for the delegation level talks. Each participating Minister briefed about the potential in their respective sectors. At the outset, President Vučić expressed his condolences for the loss of lives in the tragic train accident in Odisha. During the bilateral interactions, both leaders reiterated their principle stand on the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. President Vučić described Serbia's relationship with India as fraternal. He termed India as a time-tested friendly country and told our President to consider Serbia as a second motherland. President Vučić identified six major areas of cooperation. These included defense and military tech cooperation, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, industrial cooperation, information technology, including AI, cultural cooperation, including film production and cinematography. I may add here that during the forenoon interactions, cooperation in the field of culture, particularly in cinema, films, tourism came up repeatedly. Serbia sees the potential of attracting Indian filmmakers for shooting post-production and as we...during the visit itself, there is a high profile Indian film crew shooting in this country. That was a fact well appreciated and discussions continued on the positive advantages of collaborating in the space of cinema because of its relationship with tourism and also building business relations as countries get familiar with each other. We were also told that Serbia offers very attractive concessions for filming in Serbia. For instance, it was mentioned that about 20%-25% cash back facility is given by the Serbian government to film units shooting in this country. President Vučić also emphasized that it was his desire to establish direct air linkages between Belgrade and Delhi. Describing his own personal experience as a youth, he appreciated the sincerity and work ethos of Indians. On direct air connectivity, Rashtrapati Ji shared with President Vučić that India no longer had a national flag carrier but the fact that President Vučić mentioned several concessions or subsidies which Serbia was willing to offer Indian airlines if they operated a direct flight between India and Serbia, I think that point was well taken and Rashtrapati Ji assured President Vučić that the Indian airlines, private airlines would be informed about these facilities and concessions that Serbia was offering to our private civil aviation sector.

Recalling his visit to India in 2017 as then Prime Minister of Serbia, President Vučić appreciated personal commitment and leadership for further extending India-Serbia relations. Rashtrapatii Ji also thanked the Serbian government for issuing a special postal stamp for commemorating 75 years of India's independence. Adding to the list of President Vučić, she highlighted the unprecedented change that India is going through and called for cooperation in new areas like science and technology, machinery equipment, start-ups, clean and renewable energy. Rashtrapatii Ji also identified skilled and semi-skilled manpower from India as having the potential to fill in a vital gap in human resources in Serbia. The spiritual heritage of India as well as yoga and Ayurveda also came up repeatedly in the conversation because these Indian contributions, both yoga and Ayurveda are popular in Serbia and do not require an introduction. Both Presidents thereafter addressed the media jointly. They addressed a business event which was attended by over 100 entrepreneurs, also participated and organised by three of our major chambers from India, ASOCHAM, FICCI and CII. During the business event, both Presidents agreed to set a target for bilateral trade from the present 320 million euros to a billion euros by the end of the decade. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić hosted a luncheon in honor of Rashtrapatii Ji and her delegation during which discussions revolved around potential cooperation in various sectors including agricultural, IT, artificial intelligence, cyber security, tourism, higher education, film productions, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. In the afternoon, the Speaker of National Assembly, Dr. Vladimir Orlic called on the President. Soon after this press conference, we will be heading for the banquet being hosted by President Vučić in honor of Rashtrapatii Ji. I will conclude my media statement here and we will be open for some questions. Thank you.

Kamna: Namaste sir. I am Kamna from ANI, my question is what is the outcome and significance of this visit?

Shri Sanjiv Kohli, Ambassador of India to Serbia: You know the fact that this was the first ever visit of a Head of State to Serbia, itself sends a very strong message that we value Serbia's friendship and we reiterated our desire to further strengthen it. Serbia has been supporting us at various regional and international platforms. So we wanted to recognize Serbia's consistent support to issues of interest to us. Then of course trade and investment is something which is of key interest to us. Serbia could be...and President Vučić himself said it many times that Serbia could be India's gateway to Europe. Serbia having the Member status, Serbia has a preferential access to the EU market. They also have preferential trading arrangements with Turkey, CIS countries, Russia and several others. And they also offer very attractive package of incentives and subsidies for foreign businesses who want to set up base here. And the land prices, the cost of labor is about 25%-30% cheaper than Europe. So we also see great value in encouraging our businesses to come and set up production facilities here to get it to markets around Serbia. And the fact that a business delegation was assembled at a very short notice again sends that message that the Government of India is encouraging Indian businesses to come and look for opportunities. So in terms of objectives, one was to reaffirm the long-standing partnership. When a visit at the level of Head of State takes place, it sends a very strong signal of our continuing commitment to nurturing that historic friendship which exists between our two countries. Second was to look at new areas which need fresh attention, trade and investment. Then also in the area of defense, technology sharing, co-production, again Serbia has strength in niche areas and I think we already have an increasing list of Indian companies coming here to either buy the ingredients they need for their production at home and in turn Serbian companies are buying defense-related material from India. So that again could be a win-win situation for companies from both sides. People to people contacts, cultural ties, again as the Secretary (West) said, the presence of a very large number of Serbian friends of India. So her address to them was a recognition of the contribution they have made. So when the President of India comes and recognizes their thing, I think there can't be a greater encouragement than that. So it was cementing their existing goodwill, reiterating our continuing commitment and to open new areas of cooperation for Indian businesses. So those were the kind of positive highlights and outcomes. And President Vučić at each stage has, even his address to the Serbian business, he spoke about the huge gains that their business can make by forging partnerships with India. I think they understand India's rise as a global economic power and rising political power. So they also see great merit and great value in building up a long-term partnership. So I think that visit sends a very strong signal about that.

Speaker: Sir I am Manjulina from DD news. Sir jaise ki aapne[Inaudible]

Shri Sanjiv Kohli, Ambassador of India to Serbia: Dekhiye 2017 mai jab Rastrapati Vučić India gaye the, uske baad agar aap dekhain toh pichle paanch saal bade sustained high level contacts rahain hain. Hamare External Affairs Minister ki yahan visit hui, inke Foreign Minister wahan gaye. Do baar ja chuke hain inke Foreign Minister. Hamare Speaker yahan aaye the IPU conference ke liye. Inke Interior Minister gaye the (inaudible) ek conference ke liye gaye the..lekin India gaye the. Abhi ek defense delegation Aero-India ke liye gaya tha. Toh sustained contacts to rahe hain lekin Rashtrapati ji ki level ki jo visit hain...jaise meine bataya, woh ek bada strong signal deta hain. Aur I think visit overdue thi, last year bhi visit plan hui thi lekin last minute pe kuch karan visit ko cancel kiya gaya toh ek hamari commitment thi jo is visit se fulfil hui hain ki hamare Rashtrapati ji yahan aayenge. Serbia ka ek apan mahatva hain is region mai, sabse badi country hain lekin koi aisa conflict of interest nahi hain ki baki Balkan mei... Croatia mai visit ho chuki hain Rashtrapati ji ki aur Balkan mai apni ek open Balkan policy hain jisko yeh sab support karte hai ki, aapas mai hum log economical-political exchanges badhayain. Aur hamari videsh neeti ke hisab se hamara hamesha raha hain ki regional development honi chahiye, region mai countries ko cooperate karna chahiye, agar koi differences hain usko aap negotiations resolve karain. Toh I think Rashtrapati ki visit sirf Serbia ke liye hi nahi pure ek region ke liye hain ki India engaged hain is region mai aur ye jitne bhi countries hain ye hamare purane partners rahain hain aur sabke sath relationship ki apni ek ehmiyat hain.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Look, when President Vučić visited India in 2017, after that, if you see, there have been sustained high-level contacts over the past five years. Our External Affairs Ministers visited their country, and their Foreign Minister visited ours. Their Foreign Minister has visited twice. Our Speaker came here for the IPU conference. Their Interior Minister (inaudible) went for a conference, but he visited India. Recently, a defense delegation went for Aero-India. So, sustained contacts have been maintained, but a visit at the level of the President sends a strong signal. And I think the visit was overdue. It was planned last year, but it was canceled at the last minute for some reason. So, it was our commitment that has been fulfilled with this visit that our President will come here. Serbia has its importance in this region, being the largest country. But there is no conflict of interest that in the rest of the Balkan region... Croatia, where the President has already visited, and in the Balkans, they have a open Balkan policy, which all these countries support, that to enhance their economical-political exchanges. And according to our foreign policy, it has always been our stance that there should be regional development, countries in the region should cooperate, and if there are any differences, they should be resolved through negotiations. So, I think the President's visit is not just for Serbia but for the whole region, to show that India is engaged in this region, and all these countries are our old partners, and each relationship has its own importance.

Speaker: [Inaudible] visa free entry ke liye...Is there any discussion on that?

Shri Sanjiv Kohli, Ambassador of India to Serbia: Secretary (West) ne jo aapko briefing di ki yeh bar bar ye issue aaya ki contacts badhne chahiye, business to business, people to people contacts, Indian workers contribute kar sakte hain. Toh ispe Rashtrapati Vučić ne bhi, Pradhan Mantri Brnabić ne bhi kaha ki contacts banane ke liye efficient visa regime hona chahiye. Visa regime abhi ek transition mai hain. 2017 mai Rashtrapati Vučić ne jab ye bharat gaye the inhone ailaan kiya tha ki hum visa free kar rahain hain, aur woh system chalta raha lekin phir EU pressure mai, EU ne inpe restrictions lagayi ki iska durupayog ho raha hain, jo log visa free hai... sirf India nahi kai countries ke sath tha...ki kuch log aa ke isko transit use kar rahain hain. Inhone kafi usko resist kiya, baki countries pe kar diya tha, India ke sath inhone continue kiya. Lekin I think ek particular stage pe woh pressure unaviodable tha. Ab ek naya efficient system lane ki jarurat pe woh bhi mante hain lekin uske liye abhi inhone ek naya jo...aaj inhone hamain bataya meeting mai ki woh e-visa ka ek policy le ke aa rahain hain. Aur kuch naye chizain jaise businessman ho toh unke liye agar Chambers support karain toh unke liye aap visa regime dijiye. Toh realization to puri hain inke liye aur usko jab aap system mai implement karte hain aapko changes karne padte hain, manpower lani padti hai, toh I think they are committed to do that.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate Translation] As Secretary (West) said in his briefing that repeatedly the issue of the need to increase contacts, business-to-business and people-to-people contacts was emphasized, Indian workers can also contribute. So both President Vučić and Prime Minister Brnabić mentioned that an efficient visa regime should be in place to facilitate these contacts. The visa regime is currently in transition. When President Vučić visited India in 2017, he announced that they were introducing visa-free travel, and that system continued. However, under pressure from the EU, restrictions were imposed because it was being misused by the visa free people...and it was not only for India but for other countries too...that some people are using it as transit point. President Vučić resisted this pressure and continued the visa-free regime with India while implementing restrictions with other countries. But I believe that at a certain stage, the pressure became unavoidable. They recognize the need to establish a new efficient system, and in the meeting, they informed us that they are bringing a new e-visa policy. They also mentioned some new things like if there are businessmen supported by Chambers, specific visa regimes can be provided for them. So, there is full realization in them, and when you implement it in the system, changes need to be made, manpower needs to be deployed. So, I think they are committed to do that.

Himani Rana: I am Himani Rana from All India Radio. So different areas of cooperation were discussed and one amongst them was yoga and Ayurveda. So considering that Ayurveda is already a recognized system of medicine here, so what steps do you foresee so that what impact it will have on Ayurveda professionals back in India? Will it open up some opportunities here?

Shri Sanjiv Kohli, Ambassador of India to Serbia: You know Ayurveda is a recognized system of medicine but I think this country needs more Ayurveda practitioners. There are very few practitioners. So, in fact the President also offered that we could assist them in setting up a University, you know, University level education in the field of Ayurveda so that, you know, more people can learn about it and then practice it. So that itself would help in spreading more knowledge about Ayurveda. And once there are more practitioners, it would open the door for...the medicines to come in, the registration of Ayurvedic medicines from India. So it's a process, I think, which ideally should begin with, you know, starting some kind of faculty so that you at least have trained practitioners. Right now, to the best of my knowledge, we only have two or three Ayurveda practitioners and they are in great demand. So I think eventually they also realize, Serbia itself has an important kind of history of systems of medicine and so I think and with increasing pressure on the health system, they also spoke about, you know, they need Indian generic medicines, affordable healthcare, affordable medicines. And Ayurveda itself as an alternate system is all towards making the health system more accessible in Serbia, more affordable for people. So I think it's a good beginning and we've left some ideas with them and they seem very keen to take those forward.

Speaker: Sir, as the President of Serbia has talked in his speech about the digital capabilities of India and the latter's growth in the IT sector. So, is there any specific outcomes, we can see in this business delegation, thier meetings or visit?

Shri Sanjiv Kohli, Ambassador of India to Serbia: I think in the lunch with the Prime Minister, she in fact made an offer...the IT Minister was there. She said the IT Minister should go with the delegation of Serbian IT companies and go and meet the Indian counterparts and learn, you know, the practices we are adopting, not only business to business but also in terms of digitization, Government's own programs to promote digitization. In my past meetings also, I think they want India to be the topmost partner in the field of ICT. They really admire our achievements in that sector. In fact, last time when I met the President, he himself made that offer that he would send the IT Minister first, followed by a visit by the Prime Minister herself, focusing entirely on, you know, IT cooperation, AI, digitalization. So I think they recognize our strengths, they want to learn from the Indian experience. And even in other areas as the Secretary said, there were eight Ministers present. There was a kind of broad spectrum cooperation they are looking at with India. And it was agreed that for each sector, concerned Ministries, concerned Ministers should meet and, you know, take this forward. So IT would probably remain on the top of that list.

Speaker: Sir one last question. As you talked about the countries...[Inaudible]

Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West): You know the reference to the eight Ministers in the conversation and I may add that the eight Ministers were also present in the Prime Minister's luncheon. So the conversation focused on cooperation in the defense sector, agriculture, IT, artificial intelligence, energy transition, infrastructure. So these are the main...pharmaceuticals particularly. So these are the areas in which there is more potential seen and more exchange of delegations would be required. And during the course of conversation, we also learnt that TAFE, the tractor company which we all thought was an Indian company to begin with, was actually a Serbian or a Yugoslavian company to begin with, which took root in India and then was invited back to buy out the original company which the Indian company did. So these are strands from the past which reflect wonderful and glorious association in the past. A trip like this reinvents the relationship. It is all too easy to suggest that India is changing but for foreign countries and leadership to appreciate the change, I think you need face-to-face interactions, you need visits and we have used this occasion, this visit as a platform to convey to our friends in Serbia how dramatically India is changing by the day, not just socio-economically but the pace of infrastructure development, our trading profile. Not many would have realized that we are already a country with $1.6 billion of trade in goods and services and that we want to achieve a $2 trillion trade turnover in both goods and services by the end of this decade. And several small windows have opened up in the conversations. Ambassador has mentioned IT, artificial intelligence and it is a two-way street. We also have a lot to learn from Serbia, the cold chain, the food processing, fruit processing particularly, their expertise in berries, strawberries, mulberries, raspberries, apples...I mean they have begun selling apples, I think that was repeatedly mentioned that we are an important market for Serbian apples. So all these conversations, particularly in AI, IT, cyber security, cold chain for food processing are examples where we will have exchange of delegations...defense cooperation, I think tie-ups there is extremely important. So all in all a bouquet of opportunities open up from a visit like this plus it was a long overdue visit and we were only paying in a certain way a debt to the relationship and after Prime Minister Vučić, then Prime Minister visited in 2017, he referred to that visit a number of times during the conversation. It was time that we repaid the visit and we hope this will trigger a more regular exchange of visits at the highest levels apart from a regular flow of delegations in the areas we have mentioned in the conversation.

Speaker: [Inaudible]

Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West): We have suggested to the Serbian side on how self-reliant we want to be in the defense sector and how the defense sector is open for FDIs, it is almost 100% from G2G and company to company, I think 75%. So we have shared the numbers, the projects, we have encouraged defense delegations to come from Serbia. They have expressed interest in artillery and ammunition and gunpowder manufacturing, so these were early suggestions of where cooperation can take place.

Shri Rajesh Uike, JS(XP): Okay. So as I see there is are no more questions, so Sir with your permission now I conclude this special media briefing and the visit. Thank you very much.