Embassy of India

ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE

Salutations

 

On behalf of the Government of India and the Indian Embassy in Abidjan, my wife and I extend warm greetings and best wishes to you and your family members on the auspicious occasion of the Republic Day of India 2022.

 

Friends,

 

India and Indian Embassies across the globe have been celebrating the 75 years of Independence with great enthusiasm and passion. The Embassy in Abidjan and Indian community has been working together to share India’s development experiences with our friend people of Cote d’Ivoire.

 

Usually, we all gather in a bigger crowd on this special occasions. However, due to COVID situation, we are compelled to mark this year’s celebration in a tone down manner in terms of attendance. However, COVID has not dampened our spirit or diminished our enthusiasm to celebrate. No crisis, no matter how big it is, can prevent us from remaining connected with each other. I am sure, each one of you feels the same.

 

Republic Day is an occasion when we celebrate India’s Republic and sovereignty. It is also to celebrate the achievements India has gained and reaffirm our resolution to work together for realizing the dreams and aspirations of our 1.35 billion population.

 

COVID-19 has impacted every nation on the planet. During these difficult times, the Embassy, with the support of the Ivorian Government and Indian community, has undertaken a series of measures to help the Indians as also Ivorian brothers & sisters alike. I would like to thank the leadership of Cote d’Ivoire, HE Alassane Ouattara, Prime Minister Patrick Achi for their support and cooperation to our efforts.

 

I would also like to thank each and every member of the Indian community in Cote d’Ivoire for their contribution. The way the community has come together and joined hands in helping each other and supporting each other is truly remarkable and inspiring. I can tell you with great satisfaction that whenever the Embassy has approached any member of the community, the response has always been enthusiastically positive.

 

Excellency, India attaches high importance to its partnership with Cote d’Ivoire. Geography distance has not come into India-Cote d’Ivoire partnership and bilateral commercial ties. Our bilateral trade has crossed US$1billion. According to recent study Indian private investment has crossed US$1 billion. As far as our G2G cooperation is concerned our bilateral development cooperation projects funded by GOI stands at US$500 million plus. All these figures are documented in the latest Akwaba India just released today. There are many key sectors where India and Cote d’Ivoire have complete complementarities, like Agriculture, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, automobile and ICT. Closer cooperation could provide win-win cooperation for both and thrust our bilateral engagement to a higher level. Let me assured you that there is a strong desire at leadership level as well as at people-to-people to further strengthen and expand this partnership.

 

It will be our endevour to continue working closely with the Government of Cote d’Ivoire government and friendly people of Cote d’Ivoire and make our relationships stronger in the coming years. While Indian diaspora in Cote d’Ivoire has been acting as a bridge of friendship, the Embassy and Government of India stands ready to walk down the road of progress with Cote d’Ivoire.

 

I once again extended warm greetings and best wishes to all of you. Long live India-Cote d’Ivoire Friendship Long live India-Cote d’Ivoire cooperation.

 

Thank You!