India has offered unilateral concession to Yemen to exempt Yemeni exports to India from customs duty under India’s “Duty-Free Tariff Preference” (DFTP) scheme as part of the Narendra Modi Government`s commitment to render economic assistance to the “Least Developed Countries” (LDCs). This was stated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh while speaking to a delegation of the Republic of Yemen which called on him, here today. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that it is a providential coincidence that a delegation of Yemen is visiting New Delhi on the eve of India’s Republic Day which commemorates the implementation of Constitution of India and this is also the time around when the Republic of Yemen is engaged in giving final touches to its own constitution. Recalling the long history of people-to-people contact between India and Yemen, Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed that large number of people of Yemeni origin are settled in Hyderabad and their forefathers worked in the security forces of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad. On the other hand, it is significant to note that about one lakh people of Indian origin have settled in Yemen, he added.
Welcoming the formation of the Yemen Government under Prime Minister, Mr. Khaled Bahah, Dr. Jitendra Singh hoped that the Al Houthis and Southern Movement issues will be resolved amicably.
Underlining the common commitment of the two nations to the values of democracy, Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated the fact that like India, Yemen also follows a multiparty democracy with a bicameral legislation and the Lower House or Lok Sabha in India is called ‘Majlis-e-Nuwab’ there while the Upper House or Rajya Sabha here is known as ‘Majlis-e-Shoura’ there. In the years to come, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Indian Government headed by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi is keen to establish comprehensive economic partnership with Yemen, particularly in the fields of oil, gas, minerals, power, infrastructure and telecom. In this context, he referred to figures of previous years and stated that during the current financial year, the bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to cross over Two billion US dollars.
The Head of the Yemen Delegation, Ms. Afrah Saleh Mohammed Badwilan conveyed ‘Republic Day’ greetings to India on behalf of the Government of Yemen. She said that there are many things in common between the two countries including the appearance and lifestyle of the people. Yemen is keen to learn from India’s expertise in various fields and India’s capability to confront various contemporary challenges, she added.