India and Ghana discuss multilateral cooperation during EAM Jaishankar’s visit

In this picture released on Oct. 6, 2026, Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar receives a welcome from Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa upon his arrival in Accra, Ghana. Photo: @DrSJaishankar/X via PTI Photo

India and Ghana discussed multilateral cooperation and Delhi’s deepening engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) when Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met his Ghanaian counterpart Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Mr. Jaishankar, who arrived in Ghana on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) on the first leg of his three-nation trip to African countries to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations, also met Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and discussed the robust development of bilateral relations.

Mr Jaishankar said he had extensive discussions with his Ghanaian counterpart Ablakwa.

“As global partners of the South, both India and Ghana share common development aspirations and historic solidarity,” he wrote on X after the meeting on Tuesday (6 October 2026).

The two ministers discussed a progressive comprehensive partnership in trade, investment, development, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, defence, technology and people-to-people relations.

“He also talked about deepening our multilateral cooperation and deepening India’s engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS,” Jaishankar said.

Ghana is a founding member of ECOWAS, a 15-member regional bloc dedicated to economic, social and political integration across West Africa.

Ghana’s President Mahama will take over the presidency of the African Union in 2027.

“Ghana and India are now high-level strategic partners, with our bilateral relations being elevated to a comprehensive partnership last year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit,” Mr Ablakwa wrote on X.

The two countries have exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Zoological Survey of India and the University of Ghana for cooperation in academics, scientific research and capacity building.

A memorandum of understanding was also exchanged between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in New Delhi and the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana on cooperation in agricultural research and education in the presence of both the ministers.

Earlier, Mr. Jaishankar met President Mahama and discussed the strong development of relations between India and Ghana.

“Honored to invite President John Dramani Mahama @JDMahama of Ghana this afternoon. Warm greetings from President Droupadi Murma and Prime Minister @narendramodi,” Mr Jaishankar wrote on X.

“We talked about the strong growth of India-Ghana partnership after Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit last year. We appreciate President Mahama’s vision for Ghana’s development as well as his positive outlook on deepening our comprehensive partnership in various fields,” he said.

Mr Jaishankar also joined his Ghanaian counterpart and Education Minister Haruna Iddris in planting a Plumeria sapling as a tribute to ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and Ghana’s ‘Tree for Life’ initiative.

“A symbol of our commitment to sustainable development,” said EAM.

Prime Minister Modi visited Ghana in July 2025. It was the first ever bilateral visit by a Prime Minister to Ghana. It was also the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Ghana in three decades.

From Ghana, Mr. Jaishankar will travel to Ivory Coast and Ethiopia.

During his visit, Mr. Jaishankar will hold bilateral talks with his counterparts and meet the leadership of all the three countries to review the close bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of common interest.

Published – 07 Oct 2026 06:00 IST