Prime Minister Modi Arrives in Ghana. Addresses Parliament, Meets Indian Community. Four Agreements Signed Between India and Ghana. Next Stops: Trinidad, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
PM Modi Historic Ghana Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a historic visit to Ghana, an African nation. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last three decades. Upon arrival in Accra, he was warmly received by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. During the visit, four significant agreements were signed between India and Ghana. PM Modi will address the Ghanaian Parliament and interact with the Indian community there. He will also visit Black Star Square, a historical site in Ghana.
First Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 30 Years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Wednesday. This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghanaian soil in three decades. At the airport, he received a formal welcome from Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and was accorded a guard of honor. The welcome was in traditional Ghanaian style, featuring cultural dance and music performances.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, described the visit as historic, stating that it commemorates the shared struggle against colonialism between India and Ghana. It symbolizes the enduring relations between the two countries.
Delegation-Level Talks with the President of Ghana
Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Ghanaian President John Mahama at Jubilee House in Accra. The meeting included delegation-level discussions focusing on enhancing cooperation in several key areas, including trade, defense, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and health.
The leaders of both countries discussed future prospects and investment opportunities in these areas. Furthermore, both sides reviewed the progress made in several areas of mutual interest.
Four Key Agreements Signed
Four significant MoUs were signed between India and Ghana in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mahama. These agreements are considered an important step toward strengthening relations between the two countries.
- Agreement on Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) – Aimed at promoting cooperation in the fields of art, music, dance, literature, and cultural heritage.
- MoU between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) – This agreement will strengthen cooperation in the field of standardization, certification, and conformity assessment.
- MoU on Traditional and Alternative Medicine – Focused on cooperation in education, training, and research between Ayurveda and Ghana's traditional medicine.
- MoU on Joint Commission Meeting – This will institutionalize high-level dialogue and establish a system for regular bilateral reviews.
Meeting with the Indian Community
Upon arriving in Accra, PM Modi was greeted by Indian expatriates. Approximately 15,000 people of Indian origin reside in Ghana. They warmly welcomed Modi upon his arrival at the hotel. This event provided Modi with a platform for a heartfelt interaction with the Indian community.
During the interaction, PM Modi spoke with people of Indian origin, informing them about India's achievements and development plans. He described the diaspora as a bridge between India and Ghana.
To Address Parliament, Visit Black Star Square
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also address the Parliament of Ghana. This address is expected to elevate the relationship between India and Africa. During his address, he will share his views on key issues such as democracy, development, and global cooperation.
In addition, PM Modi will visit Black Star Square, a historical site in Accra. This place is considered a symbol of Ghana's independence and its struggles. Both India and Ghana share a unique history due to their struggles against colonialism.
Further Itinerary
Following the Ghana visit, the next stop on Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic journey will be Trinidad and Tobago. He will be in the country on July 3 and 4, which has a large population of Indian origin. This visit is also special as it marks the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indians there. Nearly half the country's population is of Indian origin, and both the President and Prime Minister trace their ancestry to India.
Afterward, PM Modi will be in Argentina on July 4 and 5. He will meet with President Javier Milei and discuss cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, investment, and renewable energy.
From July 5 to 8, Prime Minister Modi will be in Brazil. There, he will participate in the 17th BRICS summit, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro. During this time, he will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Brazil and leaders of several other countries.
The final leg of the journey will be in Namibia on July 8 and 9. PM Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Namibia. He will meet with President Nandi-Ndaitwah and hold in-depth discussions on mineral and energy partnerships.
A New Dimension to India-Africa Relations
Prime Minister Modi's visit will not only strengthen India-Ghana relations but will also give a new direction to India-Africa cooperation. Strengthening India's relations with African countries is an important part of India's foreign policy. The agreements, dialogues, and people-to-people connections during this visit are a significant step in this direction.
