India and International Big Cat Alliance sign agreement to host its headquarters

“The agreement provides for India to be the host for the IBCA headquarters and secretariat; and it entails necessary provisions to enable IBCA to meet its intended objectives and also for efficient discharge of its official functions,” a press note issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.

“The government of India shall provide budgetary support of Rs 150 crore to IBCA for creating a corpus, building infrastructure, and meeting recurring expenditure for five years from 2023-24 to 2028-29,” the note added.

The agreement text pertains to visas, privileges, and immunities to be extended to the IBCA secretariat and personnel, premises, entry into force, supplementary agreements, and some general provisions, the press note said.

India formally joined the IBCA in September 2023. After five signatory countries—India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua—ratified the IBCA framework agreement, the alliance came into force as a global legal entity. In February 2024 the cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA’s headquarters as well as the budgetary support of Rs 150 crore.

The cabinet approved the signing of the IBCA headquarters agreement in a meeting held on March 28.

P Kumaran, Secretary (East), MEA, and S P Yadav, Director General, IBCA, signed the agreement.