India is reaching out to other countries in connection to cooperation in the diamond mining sector. The Indian government has declared its goal to achieve self-sufficiency in the mining and exploration of diamonds and gold within five tears.

India and Congo have reportedly agreed to cooperate in the area of industrial diamonds. Congo is the world’s second largest producer of diamonds while India’s expertise lies in the area of cutting and polishing diamonds. In a recent meeting between Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Kamal Nath and the DRC’s Minister of National Economy and Commerce, Endra-Philippe Futa, the two also agreed to look into cooperation in the excavation of other minerals, such as copper.

India is also seeking stronger ties with the Canadian mining industry. According to Diamond World News Service, India’s Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy recently met with a visiting Canadian delegation headed by the Canadian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello. The former requested technological support for the exploration and mining of gold and diamonds.

The agreement between the two countries states that Indian geo-scientists will undergo training in Canada and Indian miners will join up with Canadian mining experts. Canada also agreed to send helicopters fitted with airborne technology to India.