Mohammed Saa’d Ali Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen, India” We need such a program in which we can ensure cooperation between Yemen and India in all fields because the two countries have important and necessary cul [Archives:2005/882/Reportage]
Dr. Mohammed Saa'd Ali, ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Republic of Yemen, New Delhi, India. Dr. Mohammed is a characteristic diplomat in Yemen's foreign politics. He received his B.Sc in law from Baghdad University, 1973,Republic of Iraq. After that, he went to France to complete higher studies and his Master and Ph.D in Law. Besides, he worked as ambassador of Yemen to Cuba and Canada. He will back home in next month after four years of his country service as ambassador of Yemen to India. Dr. Mohammed Saa'd has talked to Mr. Adel Al-Haddad, Yemen Times correspondent in New Delhi, India.
Q: Could your Excellency describe briefly the scope of Yemen-Indian cooperation?
A: There are many aspects of Yemen India cooperation's historically, economically and culturally. There are no geographical borders between Yemen and India; the Arabian Sea is the link between the two countries. Both countries are looking for stronger ties, especially in business, Indian companies want to invest in Yemen, particularly, in the fields of oil and gas. By the way, India is one of the countries, which imports the most oil and the gas from Yemen. India is looking for better economic position amongst the biggest commercial countries. We can say that India is considered one of the most important commercial countries in the world. I think that Yemen and India can benefit more each other in all aspects. We are looking forward to cementing both countries relationships.
Q: As Yemen's ambassador to India, what is your personal vision on further cementing both countries relations?
A: First of all, we need such a program in which we can enforce Yemen India cooperation in all fields because two countries have historical, cultural and economical ties should be effective. Really, there are many ways we can benefit from India.
Q: Such As?
A:The most important aspects, in which we can benefit from Indian industry is Information Technology Industry (IT). This age is called the globalization era and information. As a result, India hopes to achieve its purposes from the globalization advantages. However, the globalization has a lot of bad things on developing countries.
Q: why India is looking for the globalization although it is developing country?
A: Because India is a very big country like semi- continent and it one of the most active counties in World Trade Organization (WTO) and it has all facilities for the globalization and getting better position amongst commercial countries.
Q: So; how do you evaluate the relationship between Yemen and India?
A:Politically, we have very good relationships with India government, but economically, we are looking for better ties in business and commerce. We have excellent cooperation in education and at the moment we are stating to import Information Technology form India. I can say that the Yemen India relationship is getting stronger than ever.
Q: Could you please describe the difficulties, which our students and Yemeni citizens face in India?
A:For Yemeni residents in India, face difficulties regarding education of their sons and daughters according to Islamic principles and learning Arabic language. They want their sons to learn Arabic in Islamic schools. Really, they request us many times and as a result we contact with the ministry of Immigrants Affairs and the ministry of Education. Therefore, the ministry of Immigrants Affairs promised us to provide us with books and to build some schools. We hope to come true as soon as possible. In this respect, here in India are a lot of Yemeni experts in all fields, so we can benefit from their experience and teaching our sons and daughters and keep them up our traditions and principles.
Regarding our students' problems, we have three kinds of scholarships. First scholarships are given to our students by Yemeni government. Secondly, scholarships are given to our students by Indian government and the three kind of scholarships is self-finance by some students. So living allowance is the most important problems is facing our students in India because the living allowance is little about US $200 and US $ 300 for students of the high studies. Really, the livening allowance is very little if comparing it with other countries students in India such as Sudan, Syria tc. Of course the amount can't cover all living expenditures like food, books, rent, transport ct. India is as an expensive country according to annual, international reports. So, I hope responsible figures look at that reports and increase the living allowance for our students.
Q: Recently, there have been accusations that the embassy doesn't pay the student's stipend and that they don't care for the students problems. Is it true?
A: It is not embassy's task to concern on students' stipends. It is a responsibility of the Cultural Council, however, the Cultural Council is a part of the embassy. We are still working on making that problem over. On the other hand, students' fee is the real problem for us. We subject to roles, which sometimes handicap our work to be achieved completely. For example; we received the students' fees in October annually, but the academic year in India starts in July. That means that we have some troubles with some universities. As you know, as ambassador of Yemen in India, I have to implement laws, we have been contacting with the Ministry of High Education and the ministry of Financial Affairs regarding this issue. We hope to receive the study fee on time. Really, we do our best and could fix a lot of difficulties.
Q: As an ambassador, do you have an idea about quality and quantities of academic specializations and scholarships given by the Indian government to Yemen?
A:India government provides Yemen with 30scholarships every year. Of course; those scholarships are on all most academic fields like engineering, medicine, English, telecommunication, law, literature, management CT. Besides we have about 50 short courses training annually.
Q: What is your future plan after you finish your mission in New Delhi, India?
A: For me I prefer to invest my retirement because I going to retire after three years. So my future plans will be invested in writing and law. I prefer to write in law as you know international law is changeable and there are many laws are issued every day.
Q: Any last words you would like to add?
A:First of all I would like to say thank you Yemen Times for covering our news the same in Yemen and abroad. Really I am one of regular readers of Yemen Times, especially; when I am in Yemen. In this sense, I hope that our press focuses its attention on what concerns people interest regardless any political and tribal ideology. In fact, we need free journalism for building our developing country.
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