Bilateral Brief (India-DRC)

Overview

India shares a cordial and friendly relationship with DRC. India was
among the first countries to establish a diplomatic mission in
Kinshasa in 1962. India had sent its Gurkha troops to DRC as far
back as the early 60s (1960-62), under ONUC [UN peacekeeping
mission], for countering the rebellion in Katanga province. At present,
India is among the largest personnel contributors to MONUSCO, the
largest peacekeeping mission of the world.

Besides this, our commercial relations, particularly trade and

development partnership has been strengthening over the years.
Given a large Indian diaspora, bilateral cultural exchanges have been
increasing in recent years. DRC also generally supports India on
various international for a including our bid for non-permanent
membership of UNSC 2021-22.

High-Level Visits

India to DRC

 No VVIP visits from India to DRC so far.

 June 2010 - MOS for External Affairs, Mrs. Preneet Kaur visited
Kinshasa to participate in the 50th independence anniversary of
DRC.
 July 2015 - Special Envoy of Hon. Prime Minister, Shri Manoj
Sinha, MOS [Railways] visited Kinshasa to hand over invitations for
the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi. He met
President, Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange and Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Raymond Tshibanda
N’tungamulongo, and handed.

DRC to India

Date of Dignitary who Purpose/Outcome

Visit visited
2008 President Joseph 1. Visited India for 1st India-
(April Kabila Kabange Africa Forum Summit
8-9) 2. Held bilateral talks with the
then PM Shri Manmohan Singh
Octobe Foreign Minister, Mr. He was accompanied by a high-
r 2009 Alexis Thambwe level delegation comprising
Mwamba Minister of Planning and Minister
of Posts, Telephones and
Telecommunications besides
senior advisers from key Ministries
May Deputy PM and He visited Hyderabad to take part
2010 Minister of Posts, in an international conference on
Telephones and telecommunications
Telecommunications
Feb Foreign Minister, Mr. He visited to participate in the
2011 Alexis Thambwe India-Least Developed Countries
Mwamba Ministerial Conference in New
Delhi.
Feb Vice Prime Minister He was heading a 9-member
2013 in charge of Budget, delegation to the Delhi Sustainable
Mr. Daniel Mukoko Development Summit
Samba
March Felix Kabange Explore co-operation in Health
2013 Numbi, Minister of Sector
Public Health
March Dismas Swana Participated in 9th CII-Exim Bank
2013 Emina Monzia Conclave
Magbengu, Vice
Minister for
International and
Regional
Cooperation
May Minister of Foreign During the visit which extensive
2015 Affairs and talks were held with then EAM on
International bilateral, regional, and
Cooperation, Mr. international issues of mutual
Raymond Tshibanda interest. He also met Minister of
N’tungamulongo Health and Family Welfare and
Minister of Mines during the visit
Octobe Mr. Raymond 3rd IAFS
r 2015 Tshibanda
N’tungamulongo,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs and
 International
Cooperation
Februa Mr. Boyamba He led a 10-member delegation for
ry Okombo Antoine, the “Colors 2016 International
2016 Deputy Foreign Youth Fest” organized by M/s
Minister Aditya Group of Educational
Institutions, Kakinada, Andhra
Pradesh.
March Ms. Nefertiti CII-Exim Bank Conclave
2016 Ngudianza
BayokisaKisula,
Minister of Trade
April Mr Jeannot Matadi To discuss the Katende
2016 Nenga, Minister of Hydroelectric Power Project
Energy &Water
Resources
June Boyamba Okombo To meet the Congolese diaspora
2016 Antoine, Deputy (including students)
Foreign Minister
August Raymond Tshibanda To discuss the Katende
2016 N’tungamulongo, Hydroelectric Power Project
Minister of Foreign
Affairs and
International
Cooperation
March Mr. Modeste 12th CII-Exim Bank Conclave
2017 BAHATI LUKWEBO,
Minister of Economy
June Kwet Mwan Kwet ---
2017 John, Minister for
International
Cooperation
Nov. Léonard She She met with the then EAM and
2017 Okitundu Lundula, discussed the entire gamut of
Deputy Prime bilateral and multilateral relations
Minister and Foreign
Minister
March Léonard She International Solar Alliance
2018 Okitundu Lundula, Founding Conference in New Delhi
Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign
Minister
Sept- Mr. Ingele Ifoto, International Solar Alliance
Oct Minister of Energy meeting in New Delhi
2018 and Hydraulic
Resources
March Mr. Ileka Atoki, 14th CII-Exim Bank Conclave, on
2019 Secretary General of the sidelines of which he also
Foreign Affairs of signed LoC Agreements for
the Democratic implementing three Solar Power
Republic of Congo Projects in the DRC.

23 H.E. Mr. Sylvestre 15th CII-Exim Bank Conclave

Septem Ilunga Ilunkamba, The Minister of External Trade
ber Prime Minister also participated & addressed the
2020 H.E. Mr. Jean- Ministerial Session on enhancing
Virtual Lucien Bussa India’s trade and investment in
Tongba, Minister of Africa.
External Trade

Octobe H.E. Mr. Gilbert The Minister participated in the

r 2022 Kabanda Kurhenga, DefExpo 2022 (18-22 October
the Minister of 2022) and the 2nd India Africa
Defense and War Defence Dialogue. His delegation
Veterans also had the Chief of Air Force,
Chief of Land Forces and the
Secretary General of Ministry of
Defence.
Mr. Gilbert also had a bilateral
meeting with Hon’ble Raksha
Mantri of India, Shri Rajnath
Singh.
ROD of the meeting may be sought
from C&WA division
Januar H.E. Mr. Julien The Minister participated in the
y 2023 Paluku, Minister of Virtual Voice of South Summit
(Virtua Industry of DRC organized by MEA and CIM and
l) chaired by Hon’ble Minister of
Commerce, Shri Piyush Goyal.
Januar H.E. Mr. Nicolas Meetings were held with Hon’ble
y 29 – Kazadi, Minister of Minister of Agriculture, MOS (VM),
Februa Finance, along with and Officials from RITES.
ry 04 Governor of Kasai Discussions were held on India’s
Province, visited LOC to DRC - Katende HEP and 6-
 New Delhi Solar Photovoltaic projects.
14-16 H.E. Mr. Vital
June, Kamerhe
2023 KAHONGYA, Deputy
PM & Minister of
National Economy

H.E. Mr.

Bilateral Institutional mechanisms

1. Joint Commission for Political, Economic, Scientific,

Technical and Socio-cultural: An Agreement for setting up JCM
was signed in March 2008. However, no meeting of the Joint
Commission has been held ever.

2. Cultural Cooperation Agreement: This was signed in October

2009 and gets renewed every 5 years.

3. Foreign Office Consultations: A MoU on FOCs was signed in May

2010. No meeting has been held so far under this.

Pending MOUs/ Agreements

4. MOU to set up an IT Center of Excellence: Signed in October

2010 but no Progress yet.

5. Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement:

This Agreement was signed on April 13, 2010. In 2015, following a
revision of the standard text by GoI, a draft of the new text was
shared with DRC for negotiation. A response from DRC side has been
pending, despite several reminders.

6. Agreement for Exchange of Information and Assistance in

Collection of Taxes: This Agreement was approved for signing by the
Indian Union Cabinet on 5th Sept. 2011. However, despite several
reminders, there has been no response from DRC, though the Foreign
Secretary has conveyed verbally that DRC is not ready to sign any
agreement on taxes.

Co-operation at international fora

1. International Solar Agreement: DRC was one of the first
countries to sign the Agreement. The Agreement was ratified by the
DRC Parliament in Sept. 2018, but the ratification has not been
officially conveyed by the DRC government yet.

2. DRC has generally supported India at various international fora

including recently for India’s candidature for non-permanent
membership of UNSC for 2021-22, and for India’s candidature for re-
election as a member of the international Telecommunication Union
(ITU) Council and of Ms. M. Revathi from India for the position of
Member, Radio Regulation Board (RRB) for the period of 2023-2026.

Trade and Commerce Relations

Bilateral trade (made up more or less of Indian exports) has been

growing in the past 3 years despite COVID-19. The table below depicts
the trade in past few Financial Years:

(US$ million)
Year FY 2019- FY 2020- FY 2021- FY 2022 - FY 2023-
20 2021 22 23 24 (April –
July)
India’s 32.13 10.16 31.21 214 183
imports
from
DRC
India’s 352.77 430.33 568.17 631 219
exports
to DRC

Total 384.90 440.49 599.38 845 402

Trade
(Source: Department of Commerce, GoI)

Major items of India’s imports from DRC (FY 2022 – 23)

S. No HS Commodity Value (USD

CODE million)
01 27 MINERAL FUELS, MINERAL OILS 164.78
AND PRODUCTS OF THEIR
DISTILLATION; BITUMINOUS
SUBSTANCES; MINERAL WAXES.
 02 18 COCOA AND COCOA 29
PREPARATIONS
03 76 ALUMINUM AND ARTICLES 7.59
THEREOF
04 74 COPPER AND ARTICLES 6.14
THEREOF
05 72 IRON AND STEEL 2.87
06 85 ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND 1.22
EQUIPMENT AND PARTS
THEREOF;

Major items of India’s exports to DRC (FY 2022 – 23)

S. No HS Commodity Value (USD

Code million)
01 30 PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS 150
02 87 VEHICLES OTHER THAN 135.02
RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY ROLLING
STOCK, AND PARTS AND
ACCESSORIES THEREOF
03 63 OTHER MADE-UP TEXTILE 47.76
ARTICLES, SETS, WORN
CLOTHING AND WORN TEXTILE
ARTICLES, RAGS
04 84 NUCLEAR REACTORS, BOILERS, 50.19
MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL
APPLIANCES, PARTS THEREOF
05 39 PLASTIC AND ARTICLES 25.55
THEREOF
06 10 CEREALS 33.26

Indian investments in DRC

Indian private sector has large presence in DRC, especially in

Pharmaceuticals, FMCG goods, telecom, construction & real estate,
mining etc. Although the exact number of private investments is
unknown, it is estimated to be at least $2 - 3 billion.

Sector Name of Company Remarks

RUBAMIN SARL Copper

Mining
CHEMAF SA Copper and Cobalt, part of Shalina
 Resources Group
SOMIKA GROUP Copper & Cobalt
Golden African Re-
Copper & Cobalt
sources SARL

SAMTA MINES Copper

Hospitals, Cargo Airline (SERVE AIR),
HJ Group
Real Estate
Pharma- Shalina Pharma Part of Shalina Resources Group
ceuticals
& Medical Unique Pharma ---
Sector
ZENUFA Pharma ---
Prince Pharma Part of BNB Group
3rd largest telecom company in DRC,
Telecom Bharti Airtel
Has invested over $1 billion
Real Estate, Travel Agency, Retail of
KENNY’S Group
luxury goods, Restaurants
Manufacturing, trading & distribu-
BNB Group tion of FMCG & pharma, construc-
tion
Other Ma-
Import, distribution & Wholesale of
jor com- Sté Gay Impex
FMCG & alcoholic drinks
panies
Laxmi Group OM Metals and Chemicals
Jemi Jewels Gold and Industrial diamond trading
Laxman Congo Trading of construction material, re-
Company cycling iron & other metals

Development Partnership Co-operation

India’s LOC Projects in DRC

(1) $33.5 millions for setting up of cement plant (not started yet) &
supply of TATA and Ashok Leyland buses and spare parts (completed)

(2) $25 millions for Rural water supply (completed in 2011)

(3) Kakobola HEP Project

USD 42 million for 9.3 MW Kakabola HEP project in Bandundu

Province. Indian company, Angélique International Limited
completed the work in October 2016.

Another LOC of US$ 34.50 million was signed on 28th May 2015 for
Development of Power Distribution Project for power generated at
Kakobola HEP. The implementation of the project has been awarded
to the consortium of Mohan Energy Corporation (MEC) and
Associated Power Structure Private Limited (APSPL).

Recently in September 2023, a team from EXIM Bank, along with

Mission officials visited the project site in Kakobola to assess the
progress of the project. The power distribution project is expected to
be completed in 2023-24. There were delays in completion due to
COVID-19 restrictions. Also, the consortium has faced delays related
to pending payments from the DRC side. Once completed, it will
provide electricity and drinking water to almost 8 Lakhs Congolese
living in towns of Kikwit, Gungu and Idiofa in the province of
Bandundu.

(4) Katende Project

LOC of USD 168 million for Katende HEP project in Kasai

Occidental Province (64 MW) was signed on 11 July 2011, followed
by an additional LOC of USD 82 million. The project has been
halted since 2016, after GOI removed Angelique International
Limited (AIL) from the project.

The project holds importance for DRC, not only because it would
provide drinking water and electricity in the Kasai Central
province, but also due to being located around hometown of
President Tshisekedi. Several bilateral visits took place in 2022 and
2023 regarding the project including visit of team of BHEL, Exim
Bank and WAPCOS in March 2022 to the project site and visit of
DRC’s Minister of Finance to New Delhi in January 2023.

Recently, in May 2023, EAM’s approval for new LOC of $180 million
and Grant of $20 million, for completion of Katende HEP was
conveyed officially to DRC. The next step is for the DRC govt. to sign
the LOC agreement with EXIM Bank.
Agreement for another LOC of US$ 109.942 million for Transmission
Line and Distribution System Project in Kasai provinces for
evacuation of electricity from Katende Hydro-electric Project was
signed on 28th May 2015. Tendering was under process, but now
completely halted.

(5) 6 Solar Photo-Voltaic power projects

1. USD 33.29 million for financing installation of 15 MW Solar

Photovoltaic Power Project at Karawa, Province – North Ubangi.
2. USD 25.27 million for financing installation of 10 MW Solar
Photovoltaic Power Project at Lusambo, Province – Sankuru; and
3. USD 24.55 million for financing installation of 10 MW Solar
Photovoltaic Power Project at Mbandaka, Province – Equator.
4. USD 56.824 million for 15 MW Photovoltaic Power Plant and
Electrical Network Solar Project at Tshilenge (to be installed at
Mbuji-Mayi)
5. USD 56.824 million for 15 MW Photovoltaic Power Plant and
Electrical Network Solar Project at Gemena and
6. USD 26.68 million for 10 MW Photovoltaic Power Plant and
Electrical Network Solar Project at Manono.

These LOCs were approved by DEA in July 2019 and MEA approval
was conveyed to DRC in the same month. The final draft of LOC
agreement was shared by Exim Bank in May 2022. In June 2022,
DRC government requested renegotiation of agreements related to 6
LOCs, both from the point of view of individual plant cost as well as
overall financial conditions.

Recently, GOI approved the extension of the time limit up to June 30,
2023, for signing of the LOC agreements. The financing agreements
remain unsigned till date. While EXIM Bank has requested the DRC
side for early signing of the agreement, a response is pending from
DRC side (They must accept the rate of interest offered under IDEAS).

Other ‘Potential areas’ of Development Partnership cooperation

(7) Digital Services

Financial inclusion was one of the key aspects of President
Tshisekedi’s 2018 Presidential Elections’ agenda and is likely to gain
momentum in 2023. India may consider transferring AADHAR, UPI,
E-Voting Machine technology to DRC.
In March 2022, a delegation led by Special Advisor to President
Tshisekedi visited Mumbai and Delhi and Embassy arranged their
meetings with NPCI, UIDAI, Election Commission of India officials.

In July 2022, an NPCI team visited Kinshasa and held discussions

with the representatives of Congo Central Bank as well as with the
Presidential Advisor on Digital matters.

(8) Railways: In March 2023, a 2-member RITES delegation also

visited Kinshasa and met with Hon’ble Minister of Transport of DRC
to discuss co-operation in Railways sector.

(9) Agriculture: The Director for Agriculture Extension of National

Institute of Agriculture Extension Management (MANAGE)- an
organization of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GOI,
had visited DRC in October 2017.

(10) Mining: Mission arranged visit of a three-member delegation

from MIDHANI (Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited) to Kinshasa from 5-7
November 2019. Meetings with the Minister of Mines, Mr. Willy
Kitobe Samsoni; President’s Principal Adviser on Mines and Energy,
Mr. Eboma Ablavi Michel, Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) and
the Economic Federation of Congo (FEC) were arranged.

(11) MSMEs: A team from the Ministry of Small-Scale Industries had

visited DR Congo in December 2015 and met with concerned local
officials. In October 2019, the DRC Minister of SMEs had expressed
interest in exploring possibilities of bilateral cooperation in the sector.

There had also been a proposal for setting up a food processing unit
by HMT, mooted in 2017. Due to political uncertainties in DRC, the
project could not commence.

Donations/ Grants

(1) 60 “Sonalika” tractors with accessories & spares worth US$ 0.66
million [2006-07].

(2) US$ 1 million for supply of medicines [2008-09]

(3) In March 2021, India also donated 50,000 made-in-India COVID

vaccines to DRC to fight COVID-19.
(4) In July 2022, MEA announced donation of 1000 MT of rice for DR
Congo for post-COVID recovery. The same is yet to be materialized.

Capacity Building Programs

(1) Over 630 ITEC slots have been utilised (2007 - Present) under
India’s ITEC program and around 55 ICCR scholarships (2012 –
Present)

(2) Tele-education and Tele-medicine projects were implemented

under the Pan African e-network project. The agreement on e-
Vidya Bharti and e-Arogya Bharti (e-VBAB) was signed with the
DRC Government in August 2019. The DRC Government has since
nominated two universities – University of Kinshasa and Protestant
University. Around 50 Congolese students have benefitted from the
courses so far.

(3) 7 Congolese Solar Mamas trained in solar electrification in

Rajasthan in Barefoot college under ITEC (2010-15).

(4) Two scholars availed of the prestigious CV Raman International

Fellowship (One in 2014 and other in 2017)

(5) 24 DRC officials benefited from various training courses offered

under IAFS - I, II, III (2010-14). Also, there was establishment of
Human Resource center during IAFS – I. Decision was also taken
to establish IT Centre of Excellence and Vocational Centre during
IAFS-II, but no progress yet.

(6)Two members of the Military Court took part as observers in the

first ever Multinational India-Africa Field training exercise in
February 2019.

(7) SSIFS, New Delhi

In October 2022, one Congolese diplomat (Banza Mukalay Papy)
participated in the 3-weeks long 69th PCFD course

In January 2023, Mr. Benjamin Muhigwa OMBENI, participated in

the 3rd Annual Disarmament and International Security Affairs
Fellowship Program.

Defense and Security Cooperation

So far, India’s defense export to DRC is NIL. Given the security
situation in DRC, recent lifting of arm embargo, and challenging
terrain, there is a potential to enhance Indian defense exports to DRC,
especially products such as military vehicles, Rifles, equipment such
as night-vision goggles, radar systems etc.

DRC is also yet to take benefit of India’s Defense ITEC courses as so

far, as per Mission’s record, no Congolese has attended these courses.

In October 2022, H.E. Mr. Gilbert Kabanda Kurhenga, Minister of

Defense of DRC visited India for DefExpo-2022 and 2nd IADD. A
bilateral meeting was also held with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri of India.

India and Peacekeeping in DRC

Given India’s long history of troop contribution for peacekeeping in

DRC. As far back as March 1961, Indian troops participated in the
99th Infantry brigade during the Katanga secession crisis. India also
contributed thousands of troops to the United Missions in 1964 and
2000.

Currently, India is the 2nd largest troop contributor (Bangladesh is 1st)

in MONUSCO with over 1,800 military personnel, around 140 police
personnel, and 40 military observers. Till date, around 40 Indian
peacekeepers have been martyred in DRC, including two Indian
peacekeepers (BSF Head Constables) on July 26, 2022, in Butembo,
North Kivu, during anti-MONUSCO protests.

Consular and People to people ties

Indian diaspora
Indian diaspora is among the largest expats’ community in DRC, with
around 10-15000 Indian nationals. Most of the Indian community is
of Gujarati origin and from the Ismaili community. They are engaged
mainly in service sector, business, trading, and manufacturing. Bulk
of the Indian community is from Gujarat. Others are mainly from
Kerala, other South Indian states, and a small number from North
India.

A Hindu temple has been built by the Congo Hindu Mandal

comprising Indian community in Kinshasa, and a Jamaat Khana by
Ismaili community. The Jamaat Khana, however, has members from
both Indian and Pak origin.
Cultural exchanges

(1)India and DRC signed an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation on

29 October 2009, which is automatically renewed every 5 years.

(2)A dance and music group from the National Festival of Gungu
[FESNAG] visited India from February 1-15, 2012, February 1-15,
2013, and February 1-15, 2016, to participate in the Surajkund
Crafts Mela.

(3)A 12-member ‘Rajasthani Music and Dance group’ visited DRC

from July 17-27, 2012, and performed in Kinshasa and FESNAG,
Gungu, Bandundu Province.

(4)A 15-member Manipuri Dance troupe from ICCR, along with local
dancers, performed to packed audiences in Kinshasa and
Lubumbashi in June 2016.

(5)On the occasion of 75th Independence Day of India, Mission invited

ICCR-sponsored Kathak dance group led by Ms. Swati Wangnoo to
Kinshasa on August 15, 2022.

(6)On the occasion of 74th Republic Day of India, Mission invited an

ICCR-sponsored Kalapath Gujarati Folk dance group to perform
in Kinshasa (DR Congo) and Libreville (Gabon).

(7)15 Congolese artists, sponsored by Government of India,

participated in the Suraj Kund Mela 2023 and showcased their
art.

Recent Incidents

In August 2021, the death of a Congolese national, Joel Shindani

Malu, in Bengaluru (staying illegally in India) sparked violent protests
against Indians, which continued for two weeks (which also turned
against Chinese, Lebanese etc.) and led to stone pelting, looting of
shops, violence etc. The issue was sorted later following intervention
by the Mission and the Indian community leaders.

*****
September 2023