Jaishankar Meets Ghanaian Foreign Minister to Deepen Trade, Defence and Technology Cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Accra, with the two sides discussing ways to further expand cooperation between India and Ghana across key areas. The discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, development cooperation, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, defence, technology and people-to-people ties. Both ministers also highlighted the close relationship between India and Ghana as partners in the Global South and their shared commitment to development.

Jaishankar said the two countries also discussed strengthening cooperation at multilateral forums and enhancing India’s engagement with the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “Held wide ranging discussions with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of Ghana,” Jaishankar said in a post on X. He noted that India and Ghana share common development goals and a longstanding bond of solidarity.

Jaishankar arrived in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Tuesday as part of his five-day tour of Africa. Welcoming the visit, he said he looked forward to productive discussions aimed at taking the India-Ghana Comprehensive Partnership forward. Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier described Jaishankar’s visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding ties and shared values between the two countries. The Indian External Affairs Minister is visiting Ghana from October 6 to 7 at the invitation of his Ghanaian counterpart.

According to Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, the talks are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in pharmaceutical development under President John Dramani Mahama’s “Accra Reset” agenda. The two countries are also looking to expand agricultural cooperation, particularly in farm mechanisation and value addition. Other areas on the agenda include supporting Ghana’s industrialisation and employment initiatives, expanding scholarship opportunities and strengthening partnerships in information technology.

The visit comes as India seeks to further deepen its engagement with African countries through trade, development partnerships, technology and capacity-building initiatives. After completing his engagements in Ghana, Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. His visit to the three African countries is aimed at strengthening India’s bilateral relationships and advancing cooperation on areas of mutual interest.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.