Archive · 8 Oct 2026
India, Cote d’Ivoire Expand Defence, Trade and Capacity-Building Cooperation
India’s foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, visited Cote d’Ivoire and met several leaders.
He and Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara discussed working together on defence and fighting terrorism.
They talked about training people and sharing skills.
Jaishankar also met Foreign Affairs Minister Niale Kaba to discuss trade, farming, healthcare and other areas.
He spoke with people who had taken part in India’s ITEC training programme and said the programme should fit Cote d’Ivoire’s needs.
He said India sees Cote d’Ivoire as an important partner in Western Africa.
Jaishankar also met members of the Indian community there.
The visit was part of a trip to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Cote d’Ivoire’s Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara in Abidjan.
They discussed defence and anti-terrorism cooperation, including training, capacity building and institutional exchanges.
Jaishankar and Foreign Affairs Minister Niale Kaba discussed trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and people-to-people ties.
Jaishankar called Cote d’Ivoire a key partner in Western Africa and detailed India’s ITEC training programme and commitments in the country.
The visit was the Cote d’Ivoire leg of Jaishankar’s three-country African tour, which also included Ghana and Ethiopia.
- Who
- India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Cote d’Ivoire’s Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara, Foreign Affairs Minister Niale Kaba, ITEC alumni and members of the Indian community.
- What
- They discussed defence, anti-terrorism, trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, capacity building and other bilateral cooperation.
- When
- Wednesday; the article is dated October 8.
- Where
- Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
- Why
- India and Cote d’Ivoire aim to deepen bilateral cooperation; India also seeks stronger partnerships with African countries and the Global South.
India’s stated position
Cote d’Ivoire’s stated position
Bilateral partnership
India’s stated position
Jaishankar said India seeks to deepen cooperation and that people-centred ties should be driven by Cote d’Ivoire’s priorities.
Cote d’Ivoire’s stated position
Ouattara said the countries share a commitment to consolidating a strategic partnership serving peace, security and development.
Capacity-building priorities
India’s stated position
Jaishankar said India would adjust ITEC programmes to Cote d’Ivoire’s national priorities and welcomed suggestions for improvement.
Cote d’Ivoire’s stated position
The articles report no separate response from Cote d’Ivoire on specific ITEC changes; Ouattara emphasized the broader shared partnership.
- Visitor
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
- Host country
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Defence meeting
- Jaishankar met Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara in Abidjan.
- Other ministerial talks
- Jaishankar discussed bilateral ties with Foreign Affairs Minister Niale Kaba.
- ITEC programme
- Jaishankar said around 800 ITEC slots had been used in Cote d’Ivoire over the previous 12 years; 123 defence slots and 100 civilian slots had been committed.
- ITEC reach
- Jaishankar said ITEC serves more than 116 partner countries and offers nearly 10,000 fully funded training opportunities annually.
- Tour itinerary
- Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia
