India Albania Relations: Trade, Agreements, Recent Developments - UPSC Notes

Relations between India and Republic of Albania highlight their commitment to joint development and regional peace. At the heart of the Southeast Europe / Europe, Republic of Albania remains central to discussions on international geopolitics and security. The year 1956 marked the start of diplomatic relations between India and Republic of Albania, fostering long-term cooperation. India and Republic of Albania share a Embassies in New Delhi and Tirana, each having an embassy in the others capital, fostering strong bilateral ties. The relationship between India and Republic of Albania holds Gateway to Western Balkans, connectivity between Europe and Asia, with an emphasis on defense collaboration, economic synergy, cultural exchanges, and collective global security efforts. 

• India and Republic of Albania maintain close ties in Trade, culture, education, technology, tourism, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals including defense, nuclear energy, trade, space, oil and gas, cybersecurity, culture, and education. 
• India and Republic of Albania have entered into multiple agreements in sectors like Protocol on FOC (2003), DTAA (2013), Visa Waiver (Diplomatic/Official Passports) (2015), Election Cooperation (2020), COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Recognition (2022) to strengthen bilateral ties. 
• The trade volume between India and Republic of Albania has reached USD 1,16159 million (FY 2023-24), highlighting the strengthening of their economic ties. 
• India exports Petroleum products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, machinery, tea, coffee, textiles to Republic of Albania as part of their growing trade partnership and long-standing economic cooperation. 
• India mainly imports Iron, steel, salt, sulphur, earths, stone, raw hides from Republic of Albania as part of their regular and long-standing trade ties. 

India and Republic of Albania share growing partnerships in ITEC program, digital education, IT sector development, university collaborations, supporting innovation and skill-building. In this article, key highlights include Bilateral Trade Volume, Top Exports and Imports, and Investment Flows with India Albania Relations, essential for a nuanced GS Paper 2 and PSIR answer. 

India Albania Relations Establishment of Diplomatic Ties

India and Republic of Albania share a history that began with Diplomatic relations established during Cold War era. Past visits by national leaders, including Albanian President (1997), Indian MoS External Affairs (1994, 2012), played a key role in fostering India–Republic of Albania cooperation. 

• Early Cold War ties, post-communist re-engagement, recent deepening cooperation illustrate the progression of India’s engagement with Republic of Albania, from early ties to strategic collaboration.

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Strategic & Political Cooperation of India Albania Relations

The India-Republic of Albania relationship is of Gateway to Western Balkans, connectivity between Europe and Asia, with defense collaboration, economic partnerships, cultural interactions, and aligned global security priorities forming key components. 

• Potential cooperation in IT sector between India and Republic of Albania is vital for digital security, technological advancement, and innovation. 
• Through Cooperation in United Nations and other international forums, India and Republic of Albania contribute to global peace, multilateral diplomacy, and coordinated policy efforts. 
• Through their Indian investment in oil, gas, solar power station, India and Republic of Albania are collaborating on energy efficiency, fossil fuel alternatives, and grid modernization. 
• India and Republic of Albania have forged a partnership in areas such as Discussions for direct air routes, focus on tourism promotion to enhance people-to-people exchanges and travel opportunities. 
• Through DTAA signed July 2013, in force, India and Republic of Albania aim to improve financial transparency and facilitate smoother investment flows.

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Trade and Economic Overview of India Albania Relations

• India and Republic of Albania have expanded their cooperative framework by signing agreements in areas such as Protocol on FOC (2003), DTAA (2013), Visa Waiver (Diplomatic/Official Passports) (2015), Election Cooperation (2020), COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Recognition (2022). 
• India and Republic of Albania have reported a total trade volume of USD 1,16159 million (FY 2023-24), indicating a positive trend in their economic partnership. 
• Investment flows include Opportunities for Indian investment, 90 Indian companies in Albania (2023), along with key joint ventures and shared initiatives between India and its economic partner. 
• Platforms such as Foreign Office Consultations (2003, 2006, 2023), held once or twice a year, are important for strengthening and reviewing economic and trade cooperation between India and its partner. 
• Bilateral trade data shows exports from Republic of Albania to India at USD 759 million (2023-24, Albanian exports to India). 
• As part of steady trade relations, India exports Petroleum products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, machinery, tea, coffee, textiles to Republic of Albania to meet shared economic interests. 

India exported products to Republic of Albania amounting to 1154 million 2023-24. Approximately 90 active companies with Indian ownership (January 2023)(National Business Center) represent the Indian private sector’s presence in Republic of Albania.

Socio-Cultural & Diaspora Engagement

The Indian and Republic of Albania diaspora actively contribute to the growth of Limited due to small size, cultural connection, strengthening their bilateral ties. Cultural ties grow stronger between the countries due to Yoga Day, film festivals, dance troupes, ICCR programs like festivals and programs. Through ITEC scholarships, university collaborations, vocational education exchanges planned, both countries are exchanging ideas and growing in the field of learning. 

• Republic of Albania, primarily consisting of students and professionals, enhances cultural, educational, and economic connections, with numbers around Approximately 400, mostly temporary workers. 
• Leveraging Soft power: Yoga, Ayurveda, cultural diplomacy, Mother Teresa's legacy, India and Republic of Albania work to enhance their strategic importance and increase their global reach.

India Albania Relations Recent Developments

Through Albanian Foreign Minister to India (Feb 2024), Indian MEA meetings, India and Republic of Albania have strengthened bilateral cooperation across strategic and economic sectors. MoU on Covid-19 vaccine certificate recognition (Feb 2022) reflect evolving priorities in areas such as financial technology, clean energy, and public services. 

• A range of developmental activities fall under Discussions on various collaborations including infrastructure and energy, highlighting shared goals. 
• Bilateral relations are occasionally affected by Limited awareness, economic asymmetries, past embassy closure, requiring diplomatic attention. 
• Strengthening ties, expanding trade, tourism, and strategic partnership are central to future planning between India and Republic of Albania.

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UPSC Relevance of India Albania Relations

• Data on trade volumes, diaspora statistics, and agreements are useful for objective-type questions.
• A strong grasp of challenges and future prospects enhances answer quality in international relations essays.
• This theme can be integrated into philosophical essays discussing global responsibility, cooperation, and equity.
• International relations within Public Administration or Law optional papers can cite treaties, agreements, or global governance themes from this relationship.