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{{Infobox Bilateral relations|India – São Tomé and Príncipe|India|São Tomé and Príncipe|map=India_STAP_Locator.png}}

'''India–São Tomé and Príncipe relations''' refers to the [[international relations]] that exist between [[India]] and [[São Tomé and Príncipe]] (STP). The Embassy of India in [[Luanda]], [[Angola]] is concurrently accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Presidente da República, acreditou novos embaixadores|url=http://www.telanon.info/politica/2012/03/28/10071/presidente-da-republica-acreditou-novos-embaixadores/|website=Téla Nón|access-date=16 April 2017|language=pt-PT}}</ref> STP maintains an Honorary Consul in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hony. Consulates in India|url=http://meaprotocol.nic.in/?a4Sao/Tome/and/Principe?New/Delhi|website=Protocol Division, Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=16 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Relations between India and São Tomé and Príncipe have traditionally been friendly, particularly after the independence of the latter in 1975.<ref name="MEA2016" /> The first high-level visit between the two countries took place from 29 November to 2 December 2009, when São Toméan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Communities [[Carlos Tiny|Carlos Alberto Pires Tiny]] visited India. Tiny held talks with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs [[Shashi Tharoor]] and the two sides signed a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations to facilitate regular interactions on bilateral, regional and international issues between senior officials of the two Foreign Ministries. India also pledged to provide official developmental assistance, technical cooperation, capacity building, and the economic and social development of the STP and announced numerous grants and lines of credit for the country. Expressing praise for India's "pioneering role" in promoting South-South Cooperation and significant contributions to international peace-keeping, the STP announced its support for India's candidature for a permanent seat in the [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]].<ref>{{cite web|title=VISIT OF FOREIGN DIGINITARIES TO INDIA|url=http://www.idsa.in/system/files/Q408VisitofForeignDignitariestoIndia.pdf|website=Institute for Defence Studied and Analyses|publisher=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=16 April 2017|page=16|date=24 February 2010}}</ref><ref name = "TinyVisit">{{cite web|title=Joint Statement by India and Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe during the visit of Dr. Carlos Alberto Pires Tiny, Minister of Foreign Affairs|url=http://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5045/Joint+Statement+by+India+and+Democratic+Republic+of+Sao+Tome+and+Principe+during+the+visit+of+Dr+Carlos+Alberto+Pires+Tiny+Minister+of+Foreign+Affairs|website=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=16 April 2017|location=New Delhi|language=en|date=2 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indembangola.org/saotome_overview.html|title=Sao Tome & Principe - India & STP relations - Overview|website=Embassy of India, Luanda|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="MEA2016" /> Tiny also met with senior officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and [[Ongc Videsh|ONGC Videsh Limited]] and discussed bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector. He also visited the Indian PSUs, the [[National Small Industries Corporation|National Small Industries Corporation Limited]] (NSIC) and the [[Telecommunications Consultants India Limited]] (TCIL). Tiny also made a presentation on investment opportunities in STP at a special interactive session organized by the [[Confederation of Indian Industry]] in his honour.<ref name = "TinyVisit"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oialliance.com/press-relese/press-relese_30-11-09.htm|title=INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SAO TOME & PRINCIPE|website=Overseas Infrastructure Alliance|access-date=2017-04-16}}</ref>

The High Commission of India in [[Lagos|Lagos, Nigeria]] was accredited to STP until September 2008, when it was transferred to the Embassy of India in Luanda, Angola. STP voted for India's candidature for a Non-Permanent Seat on the UN Security Council for the year 2011–12.<ref name="MEA2016">{{cite web|title=India - Sao Tome & Principe Relations|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/SaoTome_and_Principe_Jan_2016.pdf|website=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=16 April 2017|date=January 2016}}</ref>

São Toméan Prime Minister [[Patrice Trovoada]] led a delegation which included the Foreign Minister and other senior officials to attend the third [[India–Africa Forum Summit|India Africa Forum Summit]] in New Delhi 26 October 2015. This was the first visit by a São Toméan Prime Minister to India.<ref name="MEA2016" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Discurso do Primeiro Ministro de Patrice Trovoada na abertura de Cimeira India-Africa 2015|url=http://www.rnstp.st/index.php/noticias/item/106-discurso-do-primeiro-ministro-de-patrice-trovoada-na-abertura-de-cimeira-india-africa-2015|website=Rádio Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe|access-date=16 April 2017|language=pt-pt|date=1 November 2015}}</ref> Trovoada held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] on 28 October.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-meet-20-african-leaders-on-wednesday-1237084|title=Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Meet 20 African Leaders Today|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2017-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/PMjmciRGmMAEn722pKPXYK/IndiaAfrica-summit-Narendra-Modi-set-to-meet-heads-of-20-n.html|title=India-Africa summit: Narendra Modi set to meet heads of 20 nations today|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2015-10-28|work=Mint|access-date=2017-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/on-the-same-page-pm-modi-meets-19-leaders-from-africa-stresses-on-un-reforms-2487190.html|title='On the same page': PM Modi meets 19 leaders from Africa, stresses on UN reforms|date=2015-10-29|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-04-16|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Trade==
[[Bilateral trade]] between India and São Tomé and Príncipe totaled US$1.52 million in 2014–15. India exported $1.47 million worth of goods to STP and imported $500,000. Trade declined to $930,000 in 2015–16; India made no imports from STP in that period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Total Trade|url=http://commerce.gov.in/EIDB.aspx|website=Department of Commerce|access-date=17 April 2017|language=en}}</ref> The main commodities exported by India to STP are pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, cotton, and optical, photographic, and medical instruments. São Toméan importers have stated that they would like to import more merchandise from India, but are discouraged by the long shipping time and the high costs involved.<ref name="MEA2016" />

Indian firm ONGC Videsh Limited owns a 13.5% stake in Bloc 2 of the [[Joint Development Zone]] (JDZ) through its wholly owned Nigerian subsidiary ONGC Narmada Ltd. Aban Engineering carried out drilling in Bloc 4 of the JDZ.<ref name="MEA2016" />

==Cultural relations==
São Tomé and Príncipe issued a limited edition collectors' stamp to commemorate the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] festivals of [[Navaratri|Navratri]] and [[Durga Puja]] on 15 October 2015. The stamp depicts Hindu goddess [[Durga]] sitting atop a tiger and includes special features such as a velvet effect and [[Swarovski|Swarovski crystals]]. Only 1,500 copies of the stamp were issued, and each has a face value of 86,000 [[São Tomé and Príncipe dobra|dobra]] (US$ {{To USD|86000|STP}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=African nation issues stamp on Durga - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/African-nation-issues-stamp-on-Durga/articleshow/49385617.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=African nation Sao Tome and Principe issues stamp on goddess Durga|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/african-nation-sao-tome-and-principe-issues-stamp-on-goddess-durga/articleshow/49378287.cms|website=The Economic Times|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

A small Indian community lived in São Tomé and Príncipe while the country was a [[Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe|Portuguese colony]]. The community moved to other countries following the Indian [[annexation of Goa]] and fall of [[Portuguese India]] in 1961. Today, there are a few Indians working in the food sector in STP. Indian traders based in neighbouring African nations often visit STP to conduct trade.<ref name="MEA2016" />

==Foreign aid==
During Foreign Minister Tiny's visit to India in 2009, the Indian government provided a grant of $1 million to establish a Technology Incubation-cum-Production Centre for the development of the SME sector in STP, and a grant of {{INR}}10 million for the education and health sectors. India also agreed to extend a line of credit of $5 million for agriculture, capacity building and infrastructure projects.<ref name="MEA2016" /> India donated computer hardware and 173 packets of essential medicines to the [[Government of São Tomé and Príncipe|Government of STP]] in October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=India - Sao Tome & Principe Relations|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/portal/foreignrelation/sao-tome-principe-january-2012.pdf|access-date=16 April 2017|date=January 2012}}</ref>

In late 2009, STP became the 47th country to sign up for the [[Pan-African e-Network project|Pan-African E-Network Project]] announced by India at the first India Africa Forum Summit in 2008. As of January 2016, the project is under implementation in the country with Indian assistance.<ref name="MEA2016" />

Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe are eligible for scholarships under the [[Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme]]. São Toméan diplomats have attended the Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) organised by the [[Foreign Service Institute, India|Foreign Service Institute]] of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]].<ref name="MEA2016" />
==See also==
* [[Foreign relations of India]]
* [[Foreign relations of São Tomé and Príncipe]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Foreign relations of India}}
{{Foreign relations of São Tomé and Príncipe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:India-Sao Tome and Principe relations}}
[[Category:Bilateral relations of India|Sao Tome and Principe]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of São Tomé and Príncipe]]

India–São Tomé and Príncipe relations - Revision history

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