By Linus Flomo
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, has warmly welcomed Sevala Naik Mude, the Additional Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.
The visit marked the First Round of Foreign Office Consultations between Liberia and India, a significant step in fortifying the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
The meeting, which underscored the growing diplomatic and economic ties between Liberia and India, focused on strengthening cooperation in key sectors such as health, agriculture, trade, and education.
Minister Nyanti expressed her gratitude for India’s consistent support and investment in Liberia’s development, emphasizing the importance of the country’s influence in Liberia’s economic landscape.
“India is a leading global force in industry, health, and agriculture,” Minister Nyanti remarked. “We are deeply appreciative of the keen interest India has shown in Liberia. We look forward to leveraging these engagements to foster growth and development. The presence of Indian businesses in Liberia is a testament to the solid and enduring ties between our two countries.”
Minister Nyanti further reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with India, recognizing that such partnerships remain vital to the country’s development agenda.
Mr. Sevala Naik Mude, representing India’s Ministry of External Affairs, echoed the sentiment, underscoring India’s commitment to furthering the relationship between the two nations.
He highlighted the significant progress made over the years in trade and diplomatic exchanges, and emphasized that this meeting would serve as a platform to explore new opportunities for cooperation.
“This consultation will open new opportunities to strengthen Liberia-India relations,” Mr. Mude said. “India attaches great importance to its relationship with Liberia, which has grown steadily since the establishment of our Embassy in Monrovia. We are proud to see increasing trade volumes between our two nations, and India has granted duty-free access to Liberian goods, helping expand this partnership.”
Mr. Mude also expressed India’s continued support for Liberia’s economic growth, especially through Indian businesses operating in the country.
He announced plans to increase job creation and improve human resource development, including expanding educational opportunities for Liberians.
“India will continue to offer capacity-building programs and provide more scholarships for Liberian students to pursue higher education in India,” Mr. Mude said. “These initiatives aim to build a skilled workforce that will benefit Liberia for years to come.”
Encouraging deeper diplomatic ties, Mr. Mude also proposed the idea of establishing an Embassy for Liberia in India, which he believes would unlock greater opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The meeting also saw the participation of Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, who highlighted India’s pivotal role in Liberia’s development.
Minister Ngafuan recalled the tangible benefits from past collaborations, including the establishment of an eye clinic in Monrovia, which he said was a direct result of India’s support.
“India has been a reliable partner to Liberia, and the outcomes of past engagements speak volumes. We appreciate India’s contributions, including the establishment of vital healthcare facilities like the eye clinic in Monrovia,” Minister Ngafuan noted.
In a gesture to further solidify the ties between the two nations, Minister Ngafuan presented a proposal to Mr. Mude for the construction of a modern conference hall in Liberia, to be named in honor of the late Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi.
“We would like to explore the possibility of building a conference hall in Liberia as a symbol of our enduring partnership,” said Minister Ngafuan. “It would be fitting to name it after Mahatma Gandhi, a global icon of peace and development.”
Minister Ngafuan also called for enhanced collaboration between the Ministries of Finance of Liberia and India, with the aim of fostering increased investments and promoting mutual economic growth.
The First Round of Foreign Office Consultations between Liberia and India has been hailed as a milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The discussions provided an opportunity to review the progress of existing collaborations and identify new areas of engagement.
The meeting covered a wide array of topics, including trade, education, healthcare, and capacity-building initiatives.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing their shared goals of economic development, job creation, and cultural exchange.
With the groundwork laid for future high-level visits and strategic partnerships, this meeting has set the stage for stronger and more dynamic ties between Liberia and India in the years to come.
