Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan held separate bilateral meetings with the agriculture ministers of Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and Myanmar on Wednesday. These meetings emphasized strengthening cooperation in agricultural research, technology, innovation, food security, agricultural trade, and institutional collaboration.
These meetings were held on the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (9th AIMMAF) in New Delhi. The meeting was organized by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on September 8–9.
India-Malaysia Boost Agri Cooperation
In discussions with Malaysia’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mohamad bin Sabu, both countries emphasized sharing knowledge and technical expertise in the agricultural sector. Talks were held on developing an institutional framework—through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—to foster joint research, technology, and innovation.
Both sides also emphasized the need to enhance cooperation on issues related to germplasm exchange, agricultural trade, and market access. It was acknowledged that coordination in these areas would further strengthen agricultural ties between the two countries.
India, Timor-Leste Strengthen Food Security Cooperation
Discussions regarding challenges in the agricultural sector and food security took place during a meeting with Timor-Leste’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz. Timor-Leste expressed interest in developing strong institutional cooperation with India.
Chauhan assured India’s support for human resource development and the exchange of scientists and experts to strengthen capabilities in agricultural research and innovation.
Timor-Leste also requested India to send a team of technical and scientific experts to assess ground-level challenges related to agriculture, forestry, livestock, and aquaculture, and to provide technical recommendations.
India–Myanmar Bilateral Meeting
During a meeting with Myanmar’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, Min Naung, discussions were held on further strengthening agricultural cooperation between the two countries. Chauhan highlighted the long-standing cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Myanmar, and both sides noted that the proposed India-Myanmar MoU on cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors is in an advanced stage of finalization.
The meeting also discussed prospects for boosting agricultural trade. Sectors such as pulses, cotton, dairy development, and agricultural education were identified as potential areas for enhancing mutual trade and cooperation. Myanmar also highlighted investment opportunities within the country to strengthen agricultural and economic ties.
Officials present at the meetings included Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR); Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Additional Secretary (DARE); A.K. Sahu, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; various Deputy Directors General of ICAR; and Dr. Naveen P. Singh, Head of the International Relations team, among others.
(PIB)
