By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar ON Sunday announced an official visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia from October 6-10 focused on strengthening India’s bilateral partnerships in trade, investment, defence, technology, healthcare and capacity building, while advancing cooperation on regional and global issues.
MEA stated that in Ghana, Jaishankar called on President John Dramani Mahama and conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders discussed the strong momentum in the India-Ghana partnership following Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit to Ghana in July 2025.
Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and reviewed cooperation in trade and investment, development partnership, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, defence, technology and people-to-people ties.
“They exchanged views on West Africa, ECOWAS, the African Union, UN reform and cooperation for the Global South. The EAM also met the Ministers for Interior, Education, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
Jaishankar appreciated Ghana’s leadership on reparatory justice and the restitution of cultural properties, including its role in advancing the relevant UN General Assembly resolution.
Ghana acknowledged India’s constructive role and its contribution to securing permanent membership for the African Union in the G20 during India’s G20 Presidency.
Both sides signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on academic, scientific research and capacity-building cooperation, and agricultural research and education.
Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Ablakwa planted a Plumeria sapling at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Tree for Life” initiatives.
MEA addressed the Ghana Foreign Service Institute on “India, Ghana and the Global South”, visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and received Ghana’s Instrument of Acceptance for the International Big Cat Alliance.
Both sides identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare, mining, defence, railways, digital technology, agricultural mechanization, value addition, industrialization and job creation as priority areas for future cooperation.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Jaishankar called on President Alassane Ouattara and conveyed the personal greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi.
Jaishankar thanked the President for sharing his vision for a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial partnership.
The EAM met Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Téné Birahima Ouattara to discuss the growing defence and security partnership.
He also held a bilateral meeting with Nialé Kaba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, reviewing the full range of bilateral relations and opportunities in trade, investment, agriculture and agro-processing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy, infrastructure, education and capacity building.
Both sides noted that bilateral trade exceeds US$1.5 billion and explored ways to expand it through investment, local manufacturing, processing and value addition.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to South-South cooperation and advancing African and Global South priorities in international forums.
In Ethiopia, Jaishankar called on Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi.
Jaishankar congratulated Prime Minister Abiy on his re-election and reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing close bilateral engagement based on mutual benefit and shared priorities.
He also handed over a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jaishankar held wide-ranging and productive discussions with Dr. Gedion Timothewos, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of India-Ethiopia bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, education, skill development, defence, mining, artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure.
They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments and global issues of mutual interest.
