External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara in Abidjan last night. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the growing defence partnership between India and Côte d’Ivoire, based on mutual trust, capacity building and shared interests.

They also explored opportunities to expand cooperation in defence and counter terrorism. The discussions included areas such as training, capacity building and stronger institutional exchanges.

Jaishankar also met Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nialé Kaba. Their talks covered ways to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people to people relations.

The External Affairs Minister said cooperation between India and Côte d’Ivoire would continue to remain people centric and would take into account the priorities of the West African country. The two sides also discussed possibilities for closer engagement through multilateral forums.

The meetings in Abidjan are part of Jaishankar’s five day official visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. The visit is focused on strengthening India’s relations with the three African countries. Earlier in Ghana, Jaishankar held discussions with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on further expanding the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership.