India and Côte d’Ivoire discussed ways to expand their cooperation in defence, counter terrorism and several other areas during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meetings in Abidjan.

Jaishankar met Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara last night. Their discussions covered the expanding defence partnership between the two countries, with mutual trust, capacity building and shared interests forming its foundation. Both sides also explored greater cooperation through training, institutional exchanges and capacity building in defence and counter terrorism.

In another meeting, Jaishankar held talks with Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nialé Kaba. The discussions covered a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people to people relations.

Jaishankar said India’s engagement with Côte d’Ivoire would remain focused on people and aligned with the priorities of the West African nation. The two sides also considered opportunities to strengthen their cooperation in multilateral forums.

The Abidjan meetings form part of Jaishankar’s five day official tour of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. The visit is aimed at strengthening India’s relations with the three African countries. Before arriving in Côte d’Ivoire, Jaishankar was in Ghana, where he met Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to discuss further expansion of the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership.