New Delhi played host to pivotal talks on Friday as EAM S. Jaishankar welcomed Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdilsalam Ali. The agenda? Supercharging multilateral cooperation across trade, education, health sectors, capacity enhancement, and consular matters—a clear nod to India’s ambitious African strategy.
Jaishankar’s X post radiated optimism: ‘Enjoyed meeting FM Abdilsalam Ali. Productive exchanges on furthering our multifaceted partnership.’ Set against the India-Arab FM conclave, this dialogue amplifies bilateral momentum in the Horn of Africa, where India seeks to counterbalance influences while driving development.
The Somali minister’s itinerary includes key stakeholder meets, underscoring mutual interests in stability and growth. Complementing this, Jaishankar’s earlier rendezvous with Libya’s Eltahir Salem Elbair zeroed in on energy deals, infrastructure boosts, and trade synergies. His tweet read: ‘Valued the briefing on Libya. Advocated diplomacy for lasting regional calm.’
MEA’s effusive X greeting for Elbair spotlighted the IAFMM’s role in accelerating partnerships. With ministers flocking to the capital, these one-on-one sessions are goldmines for forging deals amid multilateral pomp.
India’s diplomacy here is no accident—it’s a calculated play to embed itself in Africa’s future. From skill-training hubs to health missions, New Delhi’s offerings align perfectly with continental needs. These parleys not only fortify ties but also position India as a peace broker, leveraging soft power for hard security gains in turbulent times.