Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during an interaction with the Indian community in Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday, emphasized India’s expanding global presence, energy security, disaster relief capabilities and deepening ties with African nations.

In a post on X following the event in Abidjan, Jaishankar described the session as "great" and highlighted the ongoing transformations within India driven by the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He remarked that PM Modi’s “vast experience of Public Service through #25YearsofSeva” continues to direct India’s international diplomacy, including the diversification of energy imports during periods of global instability and securing fertilizer supplies via carefully cultivated partnerships.

Jaishankar also underscored India’s commitment to enhancing ease of living, citing major advancements in passport services as a testament to government efforts aimed at resolving issues faced by citizens.

He noted that India’s “deep understanding of our systems” has empowered the country to drive meaningful progress, demonstrated through rapid responses to natural disasters and the swift evacuation of distressed nationals abroad.

Reflecting on India's diplomatic achievements, the minister pointed to its success in building international consensus during its BRICS and G20 presidencies through “personal relationships and deep rapport.”

He specifically emphasized “moving beyond words and taking action on the African Union’s permanent membership in India’s G20 presidency, showcasing a deep understanding of how the world works.” Additionally, Jaishankar commended the Indian diaspora for serving as “a living bridge between our societies.”

During his visit, the External Affairs Minister also met with alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program from Côte d’Ivoire, noting that India’s capacity-building initiatives directly address the priorities of partner nations while fostering human connections between both societies.

He expressed gratitude to Koffi N'Guessan, Minister of National Education, Literacy and Technical Education—and himself an ITEC alumnus—for attending the event.

In high-level diplomatic engagements, Jaishankar conferred with Téné Birahima Ouattara, Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, to review the expanding defense partnership between the two nations.

In a post on X, Jaishankar noted that the defense relationship is “underpinned by mutual trust, capacity building and shared interests,” adding that they “exchanged views on opportunities to further our cooperation in defence & anti-terrorism, including through training, capacity building and enhanced institutional exchanges.”

Furthermore, Jaishankar held extensive discussions with Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nialé Kaba, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and cultural exchanges.

In a statement on X, Jaishankar stated, "Pleased to meet Nialé Kaba, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Côte d'Ivoire, in Abidjan today.

Held comprehensive discussions on advancing our partnership, including in trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people-to-people ties."

He reaffirmed that India’s cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire will remain firmly people-centric and guided by the priorities of the West African nation.

Source: ANI