7 February 2025

The visit by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian High Commission to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ms Vartika Rawat, to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, on Thursday 6 February 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, bears witness to India’s interest in strengthening its relations and cooperation with the regional organisation.

The two personalities took this opportunity to discuss a range of issues, including economic and trade cooperation, capacity building and investment, as a solution to the problems of insecurity in the ECOWAS region.

Mrs Vartika Rawat praised the excellent cooperation between her country and the regional organisation and called for it to be strengthened.

She also reminded her host of the plan to sign a memorandum of understanding between India and ECOWAS, which she said would further consolidate the excellent cooperation ties between the two parties.

Like Ms Vartika Rawat, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, called for the strengthening of the partnership between India and ECOWAS. He expressed the hope that new areas relating to this partnership would be explored in the future.

Speaking in general terms about the partnership between ECOWAS and its partners, Dr Omar Alieu Touray said that it should focus first and foremost on the unity and security of the West African region.

“Our partners must help us preserve peace and unity, and promote development in our community. They must help us to unite and come together, rather than divide us”, he declared.

At the end of the meeting, Dr Omar Alieu Touray received a gift from Mrs Vartika Rawat.

It should be noted that Dr Omar Alieu Touray was accompanied on this visit by his Director of Cabinet, Abdou Kolley, and the Director of External Relations of the ECOWAS Commission, Jérôme Boa.

Source: ECOWAS