The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted approval to the opening of a new Indian Mission in Lithuania. This will help in expanding the bilateral relationship between the countries including diplomatic footprint, deepening political relations and strategic cooperation.
“Opening of Indian Mission in Lithuania will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations and strategic cooperation, enable the growth of bilateral trade, investment and economic engagements, facilitate stronger people-to-people contacts, allow for more sustained political outreach in multilateral fora and help garner support for India’s foreign policy objectives, the cabinet said in an official statement on Wednesday. The Indian Mission in Lithuania will also better assist the Indian community and protect their interests, as per the statement. The decision to open a new Indian Mission in Lithuania is a forward-looking step in pursuit of the national priority “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”.
The statement from the Press Release also added, “Enhancement of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
On Tuesday, following the commencement of the Raisina Dialogue, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar exchanged views with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on regional as well as global issues and discussed bilateral economic, trade and cultural cooperation.
Mr Jaishankar later wrote in a tweet, “Discussed strengthening our economic and cultural cooperation. Shared perspectives about regional and global issues.”
India and Lithuania enjoy friendly bilateral relations that are marked by close cultural linkages. The economic and commercial ties have grown in recent years and the bilateral trade between India and Lithuania stood at USD 485 million in 2020-21, a report by ANI stated.
Indian investment in Lithuania includes the investment of the Indorama Group of about USD 200 million in a manufacturing plant and HCL Technologies. Indorama has set up a plant in the Klaipeda Economic Zone to manufacture plastic resin. It can be said that the Indian investments are increasing in Lithuania.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved this proposal to open a new Indian embassy in Lithuania. It will be the first full-fledged embassy in the Baltic region. Currently, the Indian Mission to Poland has been accredited to Lithuania and other nations of the Baltic region.
