The Embassy of India in Tunisia marked the 61st anniversary of its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme with a celebratory event on September 15, 2025, at the Movenpick Hotel in Gammarth. The occasion served to honour the initiative’s role in strengthening bilateral ties through knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Mr. Najmeddine Lakhal, Director of the Asia Department at Tunisia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, attended as the chief guest, joining Indian officials and dozens of Tunisian alumni of the programme.
In a video address, Dr. Devyani Uttam Khobragade, Ambassador-designate of India to Tunisia, extended greetings to the alumni community and partners. She framed the ITEC programme, launched in 1964, as a cornerstone of India’s development partnership philosophy. “ITEC is more than a training—it is a symbol of solidarity and cooperation within the Global South, promoting mutual growth and shared progress,” she stated. The Ambassador-designate thanked the alumni for their contributions to their societies and to bilateral relations, encouraging them to promote the programme to future applicants.
Mr. Mahendra Singh Patiyal, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Indian Embassy, highlighted Tunisia’s status as a valued partner, noting that approximately 1,000 Tunisian professionals have benefited from ITEC, including 200 through e-ITEC courses. Reflecting the programme’s success, India has increased Tunisia’s annual allocation to 100 training slots. However, officials noted a recent decline in uptake, with only 34 slots utilized in the 2024-25 period after 62 were filled the previous year. Mr. Patiyal called on Tunisian ministries to increase participation and highlighted India’s offer to create customized training programmes in key areas of governance tailored to Tunisia’s needs.
He elaborated that the spirit of ITEC is guided by the Indian civilizational value of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – ‘the world is one family’. In this context, he quoted Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, saying India’s development model “is not based on ‘give and take’, but is guided by the developmental requirements of partner countries,” focusing on capacity building and collective teamwork.
In his address, Chief Guest Mr. Najmeddine Lakhal described the ITEC Day celebration as a valuable opportunity to reconnect and renew commitments to mutual progress. “The expansion of the ITEC initiative will offer participants an opportunity to strengthen their expertise across various key development sectors,” he said. He emphasized that the long-term goal is to monitor the application of skills gained in the field to refine methodologies and maximize impact for a brighter future for both nations.
The event was attended by 40 Tunisian beneficiaries from various government ministries. Three alumni shared their positive experiences in the programme, and a short film featuring the Indian Prime Minister’s remarks on ITEC was screened.
The ITEC programme, which covers a wide array of subjects, is a key pillar of India’s external cooperation. A report on the event has been shared on the Embassy’s social media channels on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
