The first India Liberia round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held on 17 December 2024 in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
The meeting was co-chaired by additional Secretary Min of External affair of India, Mr. Sevala Naik Mude, and the Minister of foreign affairs of Liberia H.E Mrs. Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
Ministers of commerce, finance and economic cooperation and deputy ministers of foreign affairs, information, culture and tourism were present in the meeting.
The FOC was a good move in enhancing the developing diplomatic ties between India with Liberia. When in Liberia, Mr. Mude was able to sit down with the VP, H E Mr. Jeremiah Kpan Koung and other impressive ministers in Liberian sectors namely health, agriculture and commerce.
The Liberian officials extended their appreciation to India in the support of the African Union’s candidature for permanent membership in the G20.
Liberia, being a committed member of India’s Voice of Global South Summits, understood that the integration of the African Union in G20 would complement the voice of Global South in such prestigious global meetings.
An area of special focus during the FOC was comprehensively reviewing the historic cooperation between India and Liberia in almost all sectors including trade and investment, mining, agriculture, health, education and the people to people ties.
Both sides recognised the necessity of the further development of these relations and aimed at intensification of cooperation in the defined spheres, including DPI, development of energy sector, and development cooperation.
One of the major achievements of FOC is that boosted up their candidature for the non-permanent membership of the United Nation Security Council for term 2022-23.
The relations between India and Liberia are friendly and quite belligerent, and these have been improving in recent years. The two nations have also had a good and strong relationship holding frequent activities such as exchanges and visits.
This has been made possible by the early establishment of India’s Resident Mission in Monrovia in the year 2021. The two countries seem to haveReserved Nigeria has not shown interest in opening its Resident Mission in New Delhi, but Liberia has that Type of Interest.
On the trade front, the total bilateral trade between the two nations was US $ 256 million during the FY 2023-24 The trade was composed of Indian exports to the Liberian market.
Liberia also benefits from Indian duty-free tariff preference that has boosted exports of basic goods including timber, rubber, vegetable oil and other goods to India.
Each of the two nations has noted vast opportunities as yet unexplored in so many fields with focus on agriculture, mineral search as well as pharmaceuticals.
More than two hundred Indian firms are currently trading in Liberia and they are involved in health, electronics, automobiles, mining , and pharmaceutical industries among others. This presence is due to increasing bilateral commercial relations, as well as the increasing opportunities for both parties.
Liberia is also a member of other International forums including the International Solar Alliance (ISA) that is led by India on the quest for Solar energy for sustainable development. This is in line with the probability of future cooperation in the Energy field as both countries support renewable energy.
Indeed, both parties acknowledge the potential that is likely to be realised as well as the need to sustain the process of communication and cooperation.
Looking ahead, India and Liberia have agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.
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