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Speech by Ambassador Mr. Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh at the Promotion of Cultural Ties with Indian Diaspora (PCTD) event on 27 July, 2025
H.E. Mr. Ali Osseiran, MP & President of Lebanese-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee (LIPFC), H.E. Mr. Oussama Khachab, Chief of Protocol representing Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Ambassadors, Distinguished Guests, esteemed colleagues, Friends of India and fellow Indian citizens,
Good evening, Masah Al Khair, Namaskaar!
It gives me immense pleasure to be amongst you this evening, especially in the presence of such a large number of Indian community members.
Firstly I would like to welcome you all for today’s event “Bharatiya Dance & Musical Evening” which is being organized as part of Ministry of External Affairs’ initiative to celebrate “Promotion of Cultural Ties with Indian Diaspora.”
India established diplomatic relations with Lebanon in 1954 and is currently in the 71st year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both India and Lebanon maintain very close and friendly relations with each other. The Embassy has always remained open and was never shut down even during challenging times that Lebanon underwent.
India has been in the forefront in providing humanitarian assistance to Lebanon in times of need.
India continues to effectively implement Quick Impact Projects in various parts of the country hugely benefiting the people of Lebanon. Some of these include renovations of mini sports stadium, hospital, solar street lighting, supply of motorcycles for Municipality Police, various assistance projects in villages within the responsibility of Indian Battalion in UNIFIL etc.
Under the ‘India for Humanity’ programme of Ministry of External Affairs, an artificial limb fitment camp will be held this Fall at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut by providing 500 artificial limbs to disabled Lebanese citizens.
Bilateral trade between India and Lebanon was approximately USD 450 million 2024-25 and has been growing exponentially and is expected to touch USD 1 billion in the next few years.
The Indian battalion in UNIFIL comprising about 900 defence personnel has been in Lebanon for the last 26 years. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, Government of India has allotted 75 civilian and 21 defence slots to Lebanese nationals for capacity building training courses in India.
Now coming to our diaspora, we have about 2000 Indian nationals residing in Lebanon. Culture is crucial in promoting heritage, sharing history, and preserving collective memory. Diaspora plays an important role in the promotion of Indian culture abroad. They have been instrumental in spreading Indian culture across Lebanon. They play an important role in further strengthening our bilateral ties and also promote people to people connect.
The legacy of close friendship between the famous author-painter philosopher Khalil Gibran & Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore continues to live; the bust of Tagore based on Gibran’s portrait painting is being installed at Gibran Museum on 3 September this year. All of you are also welcome to attend that Event.
I also would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the diaspora's role as Ambassadors of Indian culture, promoting understanding and appreciation among local communities.
A number of initiatives have been undertaken by Government of India for the benefit of the members of the Indian diaspora. The OCI and PIO Card Schemes have been merged and the visas for the cardholders have been made life-long. You may also be aware of Ministry of External Affairs’ online Consular Grievances Monitoring System Portal named "MADAD". With MADAD, any Indian citizen living in the jurisdictional area of the Embassy in Beirut can log in to register his/her Consular grievance for its redressal.
For the benefit of diaspora, Embassy has a 24X7 helpline to assist our nationals in emergency situations. Embassy is just a phone call away and we will be happy to assist you in whatever situation you are in. Embassy keeps a constant watch on Mission’s social media platforms to address their grievances, if any. Also, we regularly organize Open Houses and Consular Camps to attend to the grievances of diaspora for on-the-spot resolution of their grievances. All of you are requested to make use of this facility.
Today, we have a wide variety of cultural programs lined up for the evening. We appreciate ICCR for sending the 15-Member Odissi/Contemporary Fusion Dance Group 'Amaiza' led by Ms. Nitisha Nanda. In addition, there will be performances by Lebanese artists as well as by the artists from Indian Battalion in UNIFIL. I would like to thank all the artists and performers for their support for today’s event.
Wishing you all an enjoyable evening.
Before I conclude, I would like to thank all of you for taking your time out and joining us today.
Jai Hind!
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