10.2.1 Antarctic Programme

A Memorandum of understanding on scientific, technical and logistic cooperation between the Department of Ocean Development and the National Council for Antarctic Affairs (CONAAN) of the Republic of Peru was signed on 26 May 1997 in the presence of the Prime Minister of India and the Hon'ble President of Peru. Within the ambit of this Memorandum of Understanding, the two sides will promote cooperation in polar sciences and logistics through participation of scientists in each others' expedition, conducting joint scientific experiments in Antarctica and exchange relevant information on a reciprocal basis.

As part of collaboration with France in Polar Science, scientists from the two sides exchanged visits. France is rendering expertise in setting up a low temperature laboratory in India.

During the 17th Antarctic Expedition, a collaborative experiment on planetary geodesy for establishing a permanent GPS station at Maitri was taken up with the Germans as a part of SCAR mounted international programme Geodetic Infrastructure in Antractic(GIANT).

A bilateral programme on Geomagnetic studies between Italy and India was initiated as a part of the international Antarctic Geomagnetic Observatory Network (AGONET) project in Antarctica.

As a follow up of the bilateral agreement entered into with the Republic of Poland under the Indo-Polish Programme of Cooperation for the Science & Technology, two Indian Scientists underwent training in the field of Fishing Technology, Stock Assessment, Fish Preservation and processing of Krill, Antarctic fish and other Marine Living Resources in the Sea Fisheries Institute , Poland during Aug-Oct. 1997.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and Argentina in January, 1998. This provides for cooperation in Antarctic Research and Logistics, between the two countries.

10.2.2 Cooperation with Mauritius

Under Indo-Mauritian Joint Commission on Economic , Technical and Cultural Organisation , a five member Expert Team from India held consultations with the Mauritian Scientists and Officials during 6-12 June 1997 in Mauritius and identified a number of activities under the following areas of cooperation between India and Mauritius:

(i) Study on the enlargement and clearing of passes around Mauritius.

(ii) Mapping of the EEZ of Mauritius for non-living resources.

(iii) Preparation of Integrated Coastal Management Plan.

(iv) Study on hydrodynamics of the seas around Mauritius.

On the basis of the discussion between the two sides and the areas of activities identified, a draft project report on each of the above mentioned four areas, were generated and forwarded to the Mauritian side for further follow up.