New Delhi, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently concluded a five-day trip to Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Ethiopia, which took place from October 6 to October 10. This visit has revitalized bilateral relations between India and these three African nations. During his travels, Jaishankar discussed enhancing cooperation in multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defense, health, agriculture, digital technology, skill development, and education.
In Ghana, Jaishankar met with President John Dramani Mahama, extending greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides reviewed the acceleration of the India-Ghana partnership following Modi’s visit to Ghana in July 2025. Jaishankar engaged in bilateral talks with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, focusing on trade, investment, development partnerships, the pharmaceutical industry, capacity building, and technology. They also exchanged views on regional issues within West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, UN reforms, and cooperation among Global South countries.
The Minister also met with Ghana’s ministers responsible for internal affairs, education, fisheries, tourism, culture, and the creative arts. He interacted with members of the Indian community and former participants of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. During a joint media briefing, Jaishankar praised Ghana’s leadership on issues of reparative justice and the return of cultural properties. Ghana acknowledged India’s role in securing permanent membership for the African Union during India’s G20 presidency.
In a symbolic gesture, Jaishankar and Ablakwa planted a Plumeria tree in support of India’s “One Tree for Mother” initiative and Ghana’s “Tree for Life” campaign. He also delivered a lecture on “India, Ghana, and the Global South” at the Ghana Foreign Service Institute and visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, where he received Ghana’s approval letter for the International Big Cat Alliance.
The discussions identified key sectors for future cooperation, including pharmaceuticals, health, mining, defense, railways, digital technology, agricultural mechanization, value addition, industrialization, and job creation.
In Ivory Coast, Jaishankar met President Alassane Ouattara and conveyed greetings from President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi. They discussed a shared vision for a strong and lasting partnership. Jaishankar also consulted with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara on expanding defense and security cooperation. Additionally, he held a meeting with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nialé Kaba, to review the overall relations between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between India and Ivory Coast exceeds $1.5 billion. The discussions emphasized enhancing trade through investment, local manufacturing, processing, and value addition. Agriculture, health, the pharmaceutical industry, digital technology, energy, infrastructure, education, and capacity building were also highlighted as essential areas for collaboration.
In Ethiopia, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, delivering greetings from Prime Minister Modi and congratulating him on his re-election. He engaged in extensive discussions with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos, reaffirming commitments to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, skill development, defense, mining, artificial intelligence, and digital public infrastructure.
During his visit, Jaishankar toured the National Palace Museum, the Science Museum, and the Artificial Intelligence Institute. He paid tribute at the Adwa Victory Museum and addressed senior government officials, diplomats, and academics, highlighting India’s strategic partnership with Africa and the collective role of the Global South in shaping contemporary multilateral cooperation.
To further strengthen development partnerships with Ethiopia, Jaishankar announced the next edition of the Jaipur artificial limb camp, which previously provided prosthetics to around 450 individuals in the Afar region in 2024. India also offered specialized training courses in forensic science, women and child development, and media administration for Ethiopian officials, aimed at enhancing human resource development and institutional capacity building.
In Addis Ababa, Jaishankar chaired a regional conference of Indian ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Africa, discussing strategies to strengthen India’s partnership with the continent. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this visit has injected new momentum into the India-Ethiopia strategic partnership.
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