YAMOUSSOUKRO: Inaugural India-Cote d’Ivoire Foreign Office Consultations

YAMOUSSOUKRO: Inaugural India-Cote d’Ivoire Foreign Office Consultations

YAMOUSSOUKRO: India and Cote d’Ivoire held the
First Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on March 29, 2021 in Abidjan. Mr.
Rahul Chhabra, Secretary (ER) in the Ministry of External Affairs and Mr.
Daouda Diabate, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Côte
d’Ivoire, co- chaired the FOC.

The two
sides acknowledged the strong bilateral relations that exist and reaffirmed
their commitment to further strengthen based on the shared visions, principles
and value of democracy. Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral
relations especially cooperation in key sectors such as trade & investment,
automobiles, agriculture, energy, industry, security, healthcare &
pharmaceutical as well as development cooperation.

Both
sides noted with appreciation the cooperation on COVID-19 related issues. Both
sides also agreed to further enhance their cooperation in their fight against
this dangerous pandemic.

Both
sides noted that the trade volume between the two countries has been growing,
but remained far below their potential. In this context, both sides agreed to
take all possible steps to promote bilateral trade & investment. Both sides
agreed to encourage two ways investments and agreed to expedite the
finalization of the MOU on Bilateral Investment Agreement. In this regard, both
sides noted that Cote d’Ivoire-India development partnership could be further
strengthened through Government of India’s lines of credit and buyer’s credit
arrangements to enhance capacity of Ivoirian entities in these priority areas.

During
his visit to Abidjan, Secretary Chhabra called on Foreign Minister Mr. Ally
Coulibaly, the latter expressed gratitude for the constant assistance and
solidarity shown by India towards Cote d’Ivoire and specifically mentioned
GOI’s gifting of 50,000 doses of Made in India Covid-19 Vaccines.

The
meetings were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, a reflection of the
historic bonds of friendship between the two countries. Both sides agreed to
hold the next consultations at New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

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