In Yaounde, Cameroon, a significant event unfolded on August 7, 2023—the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Cameroon. Sevala Naik Mude, AS (C&WA), from the Indian delegation, and H.E. Oumarou Chinmoun, Secretary General of the Ministry of External Relations representing Cameroon, co-chaired the meeting.
Bilateral relations between the two nations formed the centerpiece of discussions during the gathering. The discussions spanned a wide range—embracing political, economic, commercial, investment, defense, security, development partnership, capacity building, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections. Both sides worked on identifying ways of nurturing the ties between India and Cameroon. Additionally, they engaged in a robust exchange of perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual interest. They also agreed to enhance their cooperation in the multilateral fora.
This diplomatic meeting between the two nations stands as a testament to the resilience of India-Cameroon relations, their shared aspirations, and their unwavering commitment to mutual progress.
History of India-Cameroon ties
The enduring companionship between India and Cameroon dates back to the pre-independence era of Cameroon. The establishment of India’s resident Mission in Yaounde in 2019 bolstered the momentum of their bilateral relations. The bilateral trade between the nations has surged from US$ 523 million in 2018-19 to US$ 1.1 billion during FY 2022-23. India had also extended two Lines of Credit (LoCs) amounting to US$ 79.65 million to Cameroon for Rice, Maize, and Cassava plantation projects. India’s commitment to capacity building was exemplified through its training programs for Cameroon officials in various areas under ITEC and scholarships/fellowships offered through ICCR.
With the conclusion of the consultations, an agreement to host the subsequent round in New Delhi, India, at a mutually convenient date was reached, underscoring the long-term commitment to bilateral dialogue.
On the sidelines of the FOC, Sevala Naik Mude took the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on H.E. Mbella Mbella Lejeune, Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest.