India and Chad officials recently conducted Foreign Office Consultations in N’Djamena, discussing strategies to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade and defense. Despite a significant drop in trade volume since its peak in 2018-19, India’s investment in Chad continues to grow, particularly in telecommunications. Both nations seek to expand their partnership through active participation in multilateral forums.
Indian and Chad officials engaged in Foreign Office Consultations in N’Djamena, agreeing to deepen bilateral ties across multiple sectors. Sevala Naik Mude from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Fatime Aldjineh Garfa from Chad’s Foreign Affairs Ministry reviewed cooperation in vital areas such as trade, health, and defense. This meeting reflects a commitment to enhance collaboration in various multilateral platforms.
During the discussions, both nations explored the potential for cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and defense, while emphasizing ongoing engagement at various governmental levels. The bilateral trade peaked at $513.59 million in 2018-19 but has since declined to $83.48 million, primarily due to reduced crude oil imports by India.
Currently, around 45 Indian companies operate in Chad, mainly in the oil sector and trade. The largest mobile network operator, Bharati Airtel, has invested over $1.5 billion in Chad’s telecommunications infrastructure. Chad has actively participated at the ministerial level in India’s Voice of Global South Summits and remains a member of the International Solar Alliance.
The Foreign Office Consultations between India and Chad signify a reinforced commitment to enhance bilateral relations in strategic areas such as trade, agriculture, and defense. Both countries aim to foster cooperation on multilateral fronts, exemplified by Chad’s active participation in international summits. Despite a decline in trade volumes, ongoing Indian investment in Chad indicates a strong economic partnership.
Original Source: neherald.com
