<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">India and Madagascar have signed an umbrella agreement in the field of defence.&nbsp;</span></div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">Under the agreement, both the countries will explore various ways of co-operation in the field of defence. An amended air service agreement was also signed to support efforts towards improving connectivity between the two countries.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">Both the countries will have a co-sharing agreement with Air Seychelles through Air India and Air Madagascar.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">This was announced by President Ram Nath Kovind after delegation-level talks with his Madagascar counterpart in Antananarivo today.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mr Kovind said, he exchanged views with his Malagasy counterpart on Indian ocean region and they acknowledged the need for maintenance and stability in the area.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">He said, they agreed that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity and the two countries should work together to develop a strong global response to this menace.</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">The President said, India has offered a Line of Credit worth 80.7 million dollars for agriculture development and farm mechanization. He also expressed happiness that India is offering more favourable category one terms and conditions for this concessional loan to Madagascar.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">He said, India recognises the importance of agriculture in Madagascar's national development of the plan and is ready to assist in this key sector. Mr Kovind announced a donation of 1000 tonnes of rice and a cash grant of 2 million dollars towards multiple calamities relief in Madagascar. He said, education and training are other important areas of cooperation with Madagascar.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">Speaking on the occasion, Madagascar President thanked India for its continued support. The Madagascar President decorated President Kovind with second highest civilian honour Grand Cross.&nbsp;</div></div>