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Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan (VM) paid an official visit to the Republic of Senegal to Co-Chair the Third India-Senegal Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), held on 4-5 November 2021, in Dakar.

2. During the visit, MoS called on President of the Republic of Senegal H.E. Mr. Macky Sall. President Macky Sall emphasized the special nature of India-Senegal relations and expressed his desire to continue to engage with India to achieve the full potential. MoS briefed the President of Senegal about the deliberations that were held in the JCM, particularly with respect to Health, energy, railways, mining, defence, development partnership etc. MoS (VM) fondly recalled President Macky Sall’s visit to India in October 2015 for the India-Africa Forum Summit and in May 2017 to participate in the 52nd Annual Meeting of African Development Bank in Gandhinagar.

3. MoS (VM) Co-Chaired the JCM with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese abroad Mrs. Aissata Tall Sall. Both sides discussed all the areas of mutual interest including Trade & Commerce, Investments, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Railways, Defence & Security, Education & Culture, Development Partnership, Consular, and Indian Community related matters and agreed to enhance cooperation in these areas.

4. Two MoUs were signed during the visit namely MoU for cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine and MoU for training of Senegalese diplomats. MoS along with Foreign Minister of Senegal launched a commemorative stamp, marking the celebrations of 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Senegal.

5. During the visit, MoS visited Renaissance Monument in Dakar and paid Floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. He also visited Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Technology (CEDT) in Dakar, built with Indian grant assistance. MoS interacted with the Indian community in Dakar and greeted them on the occasion of Diwali celebrations.

6. MoS’s visit to Senegal helped to consolidate the 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries on entire gamut of bilateral, regional and international issues, and set out a road map for future engagements.

New Delhi
November 05, 2021