EAM Jaishankar Holds Talks With Côte D’Ivoire Leaders To Strengthen Bilateral Ties
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Téné Birahima Ouattara, in Abidjan last night. In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar said the two sides discussed their growing defence partnership, underpinned by mutual trust, capacity building and shared interests. They also exchanged views on opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in defence and counter-terrorism, including through training, capacity building and enhanced institutional exchanges.
The External Affairs Minister also held comprehensive discussions with Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nialé Kaba, focusing on advancing bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people-to-people ties. In a social media post, the External Affairs Minister underlined that India-Côte d’Ivoire cooperation would remain people-centric and would be guided by the priorities of the West African country. The two sides also discussed ways to deepen engagement in multilateral fora.
The meeting in Abidjan is part of Jaishankar’s five-day official visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, aimed at strengthening India’s ties with the three African nations. Earlier during his visit to Ghana, Jaishankar held talks with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on expanding the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership.
