External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has begun a five-day tour of Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia to deepen India’s ties with Africa…reports Africa Daily News Desk
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began a five-day official visit to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia on Tuesday to deepen India’s bilateral partnerships with the three African nations.
The Jaishankar Africa visit runs from October 6 to 10 and will include meetings with political leaders and foreign ministers on trade, development cooperation, capacity building and regional and global issues.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts and meet the leadership of all three countries to review their close ties and explore opportunities for further cooperation.
“Discussions will cover the whole gamut of bilateral ties across sectors, including trade and economic, development cooperation, capacity building, and people-to-people ties. He will also exchange perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual interest,” the MEA said.
During his visit to Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, Jaishankar will also chair the Regional Heads of Mission (HoMs) Conference.
The MEA said the visit reflected India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Africa and strengthening its solidarity with the Global South.
What is Jaishankar’s Africa visit about?
Jaishankar’s first stop will be Ghana, where he is scheduled to stay from October 6 to 7 following an invitation from Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their longstanding relationship and advance cooperation in several areas.
“Ghana looks forward to hosting His Excellency Dr S. Jaishankar on this historic visit, which will afford the two countries the opportunity to renew their inseparable bond of solidarity and shared values,” the ministry said in a Facebook post.
The ministry said discussions would focus on pharmaceutical development within the framework of President John Dramani Mahama’s Accra Reset philosophy, agricultural cooperation in mechanisation and value addition, and support for Ghana’s industrialisation and job creation agenda.
The two sides are also expected to discuss expanding scholarships and information technology partnerships.
Jaishankar will then travel to Cote d’Ivoire before concluding the visit in Ethiopia.
What will Jaishankar discuss in Ethiopia?
In Addis Ababa, Jaishankar will hold bilateral discussions with Ethiopian leaders before chairing the Regional Heads of Mission Conference.
During his transit through the Ethiopian capital, he met Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
“Was so nice to see Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey during our transit in Addis Ababa,” Jaishankar posted on X.
The visit comes as India seeks to strengthen its engagement with African countries across trade, economic cooperation, development partnerships, capacity building and technology.
The MEA said Jaishankar would also exchange views with African counterparts on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
How does the visit fit India’s Global South strategy?
The Jaishankar Africa visit is part of India’s broader effort to deepen partnerships with African countries and strengthen cooperation among members of the Global South.
The visit also follows Jaishankar’s meeting with former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in New Delhi. The two discussed global developments and the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific.
“A pleasure to meet up with former PM Dr Kevin Rudd in New Delhi yesterday. Exchanged perspectives on global developments and the Indo-Pacific,” Jaishankar said in a post on X on Tuesday.
Jaishankar’s engagements in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia are expected to cover bilateral cooperation as well as wider regional and international issues.
The MEA said the visit would further India’s solidarity with Africa and contribute to strengthening its partnerships with countries across the Global South.
