Jaishankar, Cote d'Ivoire discuss defence and anti-terror cooperation

S Jaishankar and Cote d'Ivoire's ministers discussed stronger cooperation in defence, anti-terrorism and development sectors. The visit underlined India's wider push to deepen African partnerships and Global South solidarity.

In Short

• Talks covered training and capacity building for defence and anti-terror cooperation
• Both sides also reviewed trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare links
• Jaishankar said people-centric cooperation would follow Cote d'Ivoire's development priorities

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Cote d'Ivoire discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defence and anti-terrorism, including through training and capacity building, during his visit to the West African country. The talks were part of Jaishankar's three-nation tour of Africa, which began in Ghana and will also take him to Ethiopia.

During his visit to Abidjan, Jaishankar held separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tn Birahima Ouattara and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Niale Kaba. The discussions covered defence ties as well as trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people-to-people links.

After meeting Ouattara, Jaishankar said, "We spoke about our growing defence partnership, underpinned by mutual trust, capacity building and shared interests." He added, "Exchanged views on opportunities to further our cooperation in defence & anti-terrorism, including through training, capacity building and enhanced institutional exchanges." Ouattara said the discussion "focused on strengthening cooperation between Cte d'Ivoire and India" and added, "This meeting reaffirms our shared commitment to consolidating a strategic partnership in service of peace, security, and development."

In his meeting with Kaba, Jaishankar said he had "comprehensive discussions" on advancing the India-Cote d'Ivoire partnership, "including in trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people-to-people ties". He said, "Underlined that our people-centric cooperation will be driven by the priorities of Cote d'Ivoire." The two sides also discussed deepening their engagement in multilateral fora, he said.

Jaishankar arrived in Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday from Ghana on the second leg of his tour. Earlier in Ghana, he held talks on expanding the comprehensive partnership into new areas including pharmaceuticals, health, mining, defence, railways and digital sectors. In Addis Ababa, he will chair the Regional Heads of Mission Conference, expected to be attended by Indian envoys in the region. Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said the tour reflects India's commitment to deepen its partnership with Africa and strengthen New Delhi's solidarity with the Global South.

The visit to Cote d'Ivoire focused on expanding India ties across defence, anti-terrorism, trade and development sectors, while also underlining broader engagement with African partners during Jaishankar's three-nation tour.

With PTI Inputs

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