H.E. Mr Zurab Katchkatchishvili

H.E. Mr Zurab Katchkatchishvili
H.E. Mr Zurab Katchkatchishvili

It is a little known fact that India and Georgia have had contacts going back to the medieval ages. ANA met with H.E. Mr Zurab Katchkatchishvili Ambassador of Georgia in India, for his views on the past, present and future relations between the two countries.

ANA: Relations between India in Georgia have been known to have existed from very early times. They were further strengthened in medieval ages by missionaries, travelers, and traders. Georgians are said to have served at the Mughal Courts and some of them are believed to have risen to the positions of Governors. Excellency, is there enough awareness among the people and policy makers in Georgia about the present India?

HE: It is true that relations between India and Georgia count centuries. Georgia was part of the famous Silk Route. Shota Rustaveli, the 12-th century Georgian poet, in his immortal “Knight in the Tiger’s Skin”, has an Indian Prince as one of the main character.

Today, India is quite well known in Georgia: its philosophy, way of life, but also its achievements in economic development, modern technologies are of common knowledge. And Bollywood films are always hits in my country. Unfortunately, Georgia is much less known in India, and my task, as the first ever Ambassador of Georgia in India, is to better promote my country, its accomplishments, its business opportunities.

ANA: Following the declaration of independence by Georgia in the wake of the disintegration of the USSR, India recognized Georgia on 26th December 1991. Formal diplomatic relations were established on 28th September 1992. What have been the key watershed developments since then which have had an impact in developing positive relations between India and Georgia?

HE: I think that opening the Georgian Embassy in New Delhi in 2010 is the major milestone in the history of relations between our two countries. Following this, a high level delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia paid a visit to India for political consultations. A number of Agreements have been signed on this occasion, paving way to closer ties.

ANA: Excellency, there have been many agreements and protocols signed between the two countries on a variety of subjects like Trade and Economic Cooperation; Scientific and Technological Cooperation; Culture, Education, Science etc. Have these agreements and protocols strengthened relations or in your opinion, much more needs to be done?

HE: The Agreements already signed between our countries will definitely contribute to developing ties in many areas: Trade and Economic Cooperation, Science and Technology, Culture and Education. Another Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation, that undoubtedly will inspire businessmen from our two countries, is ready to be signed. Nevertheless, more is to be done on the legal level and relevant Ministries and Governmental bodies are working on a number of agreements that will contribute to further strengthening cooperation between India and Georgia.

ANA: India’s Development Assistance to Georgia at present is mainly in the field of Human Resource Development in areas like offering training slots under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), scholarships to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Indian Universities etc. What more, in your opinion, needs to be done to upgrade the level of relations?

HE: Georgia is most grateful for opportunities, provided by India to our students and scholars, to enrich their knowledge in the framework of ITEC. Similarly, hundreds of Indian students are studying in Georgian Universities. This will be a guarantee of better mutual understanding and, most probably, of an increasing cooperation. But again, we cannot consider this enough. An accent should also be put on cultural exchanges, tourism development, and cooperation in various areas. This will enrich both countries and give an impetus to business communities to act.

ANA: Bilateral trade between the two countries is relatively small. The main commodity of Georgian exports to India is the ferrous waste and scrap, whereas meat and meat products are India’s main items of exports. Similarly, India’s investments in Georgia also have been meager. Excellency, could you tell us some of the initiatives that are being taken by Georgia to enhance bilateral trade and to improve the investment climate for Indian businessmen.
HE: Obviously, existing trade relations are not at the level we could consider satisfactory. But things are moving, more and more Indian businessmen and investors are attracted by Georgia. It should be underlined that Georgia can and should be regarded as a major regional player, with privileged trade openings with the EU countries, US, Japan, etc. So, I think, all kinds of relations should be further expanded for the mutual benefit of both.

To enhance our relations and cooperation, Georgian Prime Minister, Nika Gilauri chaired a promotional conference “Invest in Georgia”, in which participated several Georgian ministers, held in Mumbai in November 2010; later, in March 2011, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ms Vera Kobalia and Minister of Finance, Kakha Baindurashvili, held another seminar in Mumbai, which focused on Free Economic Zones in Georgia. Such meetings with Indian business community will continue and, hopefully, will augment interest for my country.

Similarly, an Indian-Georgian business forum was held in Tbilisi, along with a Fair of Indian products.

ANA: Excellency, there is a strong history of relations between the two countries. Does the present level of interaction in the areas of art and cultural appear satisfactory? And could you introduce our readers to the unique culture of your country.

HE: Cultural cooperation is one area which is very dear to me; to succeed in business, knowing each other’s’ culture, traditions can only help. Unfortunately, besides Indian movies, Georgians know little about today’s India, its modern culture; Georgian cultural life is just about unknown in India, and it is very sad, because Georgian folklore, including polyphonic singing and vibrant dances are world famous; we have a lot more to be proud of: theater, literature, painting, but also Georgian cuisine and wine, our pride! Specialists all over the world agree that Georgia is probably the cradle of wine making.

This is why we decided, for the first ever celebration of the National Day of Georgia on 26 May, to bring over Georgian folk singers, who interpreted the National Indian anthem in a polyphonic style; We also brought a chef, to allow our Indian friends to taste Georgian food and wines.