Mar 30: 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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