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By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 18 June 2014:
Anil Trigunayat, Indian ambassador to Libya, said goodbye to Libya this week. Since June 2012, . . .[restrict]the ambassador has spent over two years promoting investment and bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a formal farewell statement, Trigunayat said that he was optimistic about Libya’s future.
“I leave with satisfaction and a lot of hope and confidence that Libya in its quest for democracy and development will be successful and firmly entrenched,” he said.
Promising future support of the nascent democracy, he went on to say that India would firmly stand by the Libyan people and their choice of government and that it would be “ready to assist when and where needed by the Libyans”.
The ambassador also underlined India’s commitment to helping the new Libya to develop its human capital through various scholarship programmes and vocational training. He also announced that 30 Libyan diplomats are preparing to train at the Foreign Service Institute in India and that the country has also offered to train Libyan police and armed forces, as well as assist in the development of Libyan military academies.
Testifying to India’s commitment to the reconstruction of Libya, the he pointed out that several Indian companies are involved in infrastructure projects despite security concerns, with more on the way.
“India is looking to set up a Urea plant with over $1 bn investments subject to the availability of gas,” he said. “This will create over 1,000 good quality jobs for Libyans and will be a win-win flagship project.”
India, historically a big supporter of Libya’s health sector, has plans to increase its role. More than 2,000 Indian doctors and paramedic staff have come to Libya at the invitation of the Health Ministry since the revolution. Plans are now being made to train Libyan medical personnel in leading Indian hospitals.
“Several major Indian hospitals and organisations in the field are looking to set up high-end super-special facilities in Libya,” he added.
As the ambassador leaves to take up his new post in Jordan, he is hopeful for the future of Libya: “I know Libya will soon be on a high growth path once the transitional pains due to the prolonged atrophy of institutions are addressed. India stands committed to assist our Libyan friends in their tryst with destiny, development and democracy,” he said. [/restrict]
