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VILNIUS: Lithuania's foreign minister has asked India to stand true to its promise of starting an embassy in Vilnius. The assurance was given in 2005 by then Indian external affairs minister K Natwar Singh. Currently, the Indian mission for Lithuania is based out of Warsaw, Poland.
In an exclusive interview to TOI, foreign minister Linas Linkevicius said Lithuania opened its embassy in New Delhi in 2008, amid the deepest financial crisis of modern times. "With bilateral and economic ties between India and Lithuania growing steadily, it is time for India to start an embassy in Vilnius," Linkevicius said.
Despite increasing economic ties (Indian exports to Lithuania grew by 40% in 2013) and cultural exchanges (300 Indian students already study in Lithuania and another 150 are expected to join a Kaunas university this year), it is still difficult to get an Indian visa. A 'lack of funds' has prevented India from opening an embassy in Vilnius.
"With cultural interest towards India growing among Lithuanians — the love for Rabindranath Tagore's work, ayurveda and a similarity between Sanskrit and Lithuanian language — an increasing number of scholars are visiting India," he said.
"Around 3,000 Lithuanian citizens travel to India each year. For visas, they have to send their passports to Poland, which is inconvenient. An Indian mission in Vilnius will be highly welcome. " Linkevicius also extended an invitation to his Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, to visit Lithuania.
Honour embassy pledge: Lithuania to India - The Times of India
In an exclusive interview to TOI, foreign minister Linas Linkevicius said Lithuania opened its embassy in New Delhi in 2008, amid the deepest financial crisis of modern times. "With bilateral and economic ties between India and Lithuania growing steadily, it is time for India to start an embassy in Vilnius," Linkevicius said.
Despite increasing economic ties (Indian exports to Lithuania grew by 40% in 2013) and cultural exchanges (300 Indian students already study in Lithuania and another 150 are expected to join a Kaunas university this year), it is still difficult to get an Indian visa. A 'lack of funds' has prevented India from opening an embassy in Vilnius.
"With cultural interest towards India growing among Lithuanians — the love for Rabindranath Tagore's work, ayurveda and a similarity between Sanskrit and Lithuanian language — an increasing number of scholars are visiting India," he said.
"Around 3,000 Lithuanian citizens travel to India each year. For visas, they have to send their passports to Poland, which is inconvenient. An Indian mission in Vilnius will be highly welcome. " Linkevicius also extended an invitation to his Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, to visit Lithuania.
Honour embassy pledge: Lithuania to India - The Times of India
