Both sides took stock of bilateral trade, investment, development partnership, capacity building, security, and defence cooperation

India and Sierra Leone held Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on Thursday in Freetown, the national capital of the African country and both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of bilateral, regional and international cooperation.

The Indian side led by Rahul Chhabra, Secretary(ER) in the Ministry of External Affairs and Sierra Leone led by Florence Nyawa Bangalie, Director General and Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, co- chaired the FOC.

Both sides during the Consultations, took stock of bilateral trade and investment, development partnership, capacity building, defence cooperation and other security related issues.

They agreed to take steps to enhance the depth and momentum of engagement, which would be of their mutual benefits.

Both sides noted with appreciation their cooperation on COVID-19 related issues, including supply by India of 1000 MTs of rice as well as a large consignment of medicines for the people of Sierra Leone to fight COVID19 pandemic.

They noted with appreciation the visit of the Vice President of India to Sierra Leone in October 2019 and as announced during his visit, India opened its resident Mission in Freetown recently.

During the visit, Secretary(ER) Chhabra called on the President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio who fondly recalled the visit of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu to Sierra Leone in October 2019, which was the first ever high-level visit from India.

The Secretary(ER) also called on Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nabeela Tunis.

Both sides expressed gratitude for giving 1000 MTs of rice and essential medicines last year. They also appreciated the opening up of our resident Mission in August 2020 in Freetown.

The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both sides agreed to hold the next consultations at New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.