High Commission of India

Freetown, Sierra Leone

High Commission of India 
Freetown 

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India-Sierra Leone Bilateral Relations 
Political 

India and Sierra Leone share cordial and warm relationship based on common values and shared vision which dates back to almost six decades. India is committed to being a reliable partner of Sierra Leone in its development journey through soft loans, scholarships, and capacity building. 

India and Sierra Leone also cooperate at the United Nations and other multilateral fora. India had played an important role in achieving peace and stability in Sierra Leone by contributing troops to the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in 2000-2001. 

In line with the Government of India’s decision to open resident Missions in more African countries, India opened its Mission in Freetown in August 2020. Sierra Leonean Government is according high priority to establish their resident Mission in Delhi. 

India has extended e-Visa facility to Sierra Leonean nationals for ease of mobility. Also, in accordance with the MoU signed in February 2020, diplomatic and official/service passport holders of both countries will be allowed visa-free travel once the MoU is operationalised. These reflect the desire of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties. 

During the visit of the Vice President to Freetown in October 2019, India and Sierra Leone agreed to have regular bilateral dialogue at various levels and signed MoUs for having Joint Commission Meeting and Foreign Office Consultation. The inaugural FOC at the level of Secretary/Director General took place in Freetown on 25-26 March 2021. 

Visits from Sierra Leone 

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma, along with the Foreign and Trade Ministers, visited India from 27-29 October 2015 for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit themed “Partners in Progress: Towards a Dynamic and Transformative Development Agenda.” Leaders reviewed strategic partnerships and the implementation of the 2nd IAFS framework. President Koroma met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss enhancing cooperation in agriculture, mining, and ICT. Additionally, Foreign Minister Dr. Samura Kamara met EAM Smt. Sushma Swaraj, while Sierra Leone’s Trade Minister attended the Trade Ministers’ Meet.

Other Ministerial Visits

• In March 2014, the Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, along with the Special Secretary to the Chief of Staff and business executives, attended the 10th EXIM Bank-CII Conclave in New Delhi. 

• Finance Minister Momodu Kargbo represented Sierra Leone at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AFDB) in Gujarat in May 2017, while Communications & Information Minister Mohamed Bangura participated in the Global Conference on Cyber Space in New Delhi in November 2017. 

• In 2018, Deputy Health Minister Dr. Anthony Augustine Sandi led a delegation to the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention in New Delhi, and Finance Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa attended the CII-EXIM Bank India-West Africa Regional Conclave in Abuja, Nigeria. Additionally, Education Minister Mr. Alpha O. Timbo participated in the Partners’ Forum 2018 on Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health in New Delhi.

• Deputy Trade Minister Ms. Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara attending the 17th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave in July 2022.

• Deputy Defence Minister Col (Rtd) Muana Brima Massaquoi, alongside the Air and Navy Chiefs, attended DefExpo-2022 and the India-Africa Defence Dialogue in Gujarat in October 2022. He later led a delegation to the Aero India-2023 air show in Bengaluru in February 2023. 

• Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Mr. Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara leading a 16-member team to the UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon in November 2022 and attended the Asian Summit on Education and Skills in Bengaluru in October 2023.

• Finance Minister Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh participated in the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ in January 2023, followed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali attending the ‘Voice of Global South Summit 2.0’  in November 2023. 

• Deputy Justice Minister Mr. Alpha Sesay participated in the first Regional Conference on Access to Legal Aid in November 2023, and Communications Minister Ms. Salima Bah attended the Global Technology Summit in December 2023.

• Education Minister Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie participated in the India Summit on Education Knowledge Exchange in February 2024. 

• Deputy Energy Minister Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor and Communications Deputy Minister Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh attended the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit virtually in August 2024. 

• Agriculture Deputy Minister Dr. Theresa Tenneh Dick attended the 3rd World Food India in September 2024. 

• Foreign Minister Mr. Timothy Musa Kabba met Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA in New York in September 2024.

Other Visits

• In September 2019, Election Commissioners Mohamed Nfah Alie Conteh and Edmound S. Alpha attended the 4th General Assembly of the Association of World Election Bodies and an international conference in Bengaluru. 

• A four-member delegation from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited India in April 2022 to sign an MoU with NAFED for the supply of 500,000 MT of rice. 

• In October 2022, a two-member delegation participated in the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly in New Delhi.

• A delegation from Sierra Leone attended the Knowledge and Experience Exchange Programme for Emerging Economies in Hyderabad in March 2023. 

• A delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, participated in the 'Global Digital Public Infrastructure' summit in Pune in June 2023, where an MoU on digital cooperation was signed.

• Brigadier General Sahr David Thomas Ngaujah attended Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. Additionally, a Sierra Leonean policewoman participated in the ‘Conference of Women Officers of the Global South on UN Peacekeeping’ in New Delhi in February 2025.

Visits from India 

Hon’ble Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu visited Sierra Leone from 12-14 October 2019, marking the first-ever high-level visit from India. He was accompanied by Shri Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Fisheries, and Shri Ramvichar Netam, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

During discussions with President Brig (Retd.) Julius Maada Bio, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and addressing global and regional issues of mutual interest. Several MoUs and agreements were signed, including a $30 million Line of Credit for irrigation development in Tomabum and the reactivation of a $15 million Line of Credit for a potable water project.

Additionally, agreements were signed for a Joint Commission, Foreign Office Consultations, Diplomatic Training, and a Cultural Exchange Programme. The Vice President also met with Speaker Abass Chernor Bundu, Foreign Minister Nabeela Tunis, and the Indian community.

Other Ministerial Visits

• The other high-level bilateral visits from India to Sierra Leone include the visit of Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in July 2000 and Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Anand Sharma in January 2009. 

• Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, participated in the “Sierra Leone Conference on Development and Transformation” held in Sierra Leone from 30 January to 1 February, 2012. Special Envoy to PM, Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, MOS (Water Resources) visited Sierra Leone on 16-18 July 2016, to deliver PM’s invitation to President Koroma to participate in 3rd  India-Africa Forum Summit. 

Other Visits

• An Indian Power Sector Technical delegation comprising of representatives from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and NTPC visited Sierra Leone on 8-11 December 2015. The delegation met the Minister of Energy and also made field visits to thermal power station outside Freetown and Lunar iron ore mines and Kenema and Bo substations. 

• A three members delegation led by Mr. Tshering W. Sherpa, Joint Secretary (UNP) visited Sierra Leone from 20-22 January 2025.

Foreign Office Consultations

The inaugural Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between India and Sierra Leone was held in Freetown on 25-26 March 2021, led by Secretary (ER) Mr. Rahul Chhabra and Sierra Leone’s Director General Ms. Florence Bangalie. Discussions covered bilateral ties, regional, and multilateral issues, with meetings held with President Julius Maada Bio and Foreign Minister Nabeela Tunis.

The second FOC took place in New Delhi on 10-11 March 2025, led by Additional Secretary (C&WA) Mr. Sevala Naik Mude and Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Director General Mr. Alan E. Logan. Talks focused on high-level visits, defense, trade, agriculture, energy, digital infrastructure, and ongoing Line of Credit projects.

Relations at UN 

India appreciates Sierra Leone’s leadership as Chair of the C-10 in advocating Africa’s stance on UN reforms, particularly the expansion of the UN Security Council. Both nations share similar views on the need for comprehensive UN reforms.

India contributed significantly to peacekeeping in Sierra Leone, deploying a 4,000-strong military contingent under Maj Gen V.K. Jaitley in the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) from 2000-2001, leaving a lasting positive impact.

In January 2025, JS (UNP) held talks with Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Director General to discuss the African Union’s model for UNSC reforms. On 16 February 2025, President Julius Maada Bio, as C-10 Coordinator, presented the AU’s 35th C-10 report on UNSC reform at the 38th AU Assembly in Addis Ababa.

Economic and Commercial 

India continues to be a major trading partner of Sierra Leone and ranks 02nd in terms of imports by Sierra Leone. Bilateral trade figures for the last few years are as follows: 

(US$/million )

(Source: Department of Commerce, GOI)

Major export commodities from India included engineering goods, rice, pharmaceuticals, plastics and ceramic products. While major items of imports from Sierra Leone included bulk minerals and ores, Iron and steel, aluminium and products of aluminium, copper and products made of copper. 

Developmental Cooperation 

India is committed to be a reliable partner of Sierra Leone in its development journey. Our developmental cooperation with Sierra Leone through our Lines of Credit and through ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) aggregates to US$ 250 million covering a range of sectors. The projects implemented/signed/approved are: 

(i) US$ 15 million for Agricultural projects including procurement of tractors, harvesters, rice threshers, rice mills, maize shellers and pesticide spray equipment in 2008 (completed);

(ii) US$ 30 million for Rehabilitation of existing facilities and addition of new infrastructure to supply potable water in 2010 (completed);

(iii) US$ 78 million for Transmission line and sub-station project in 2016;

(iv) US$ 30 million for Irrigation Development in Tomabum in 2019;

(v) US$ 15 million for expansion of rehabilitation of existing potable water facilities in four communities in 2019;

(vi) US$ 29.45 million for modernization and expansion of network and infrastructure of Sierratel project in 2010 (through EBID); procurement of buses for university and tertiary institutions through EBID ;

(vii) US$ 20 million for public lighting of Freetown and 13 municipal headquarters through solar energy (through EBID) in 2011;

(viii) US$ 32 million for Construction of University of Science & Technology at Koidu Town, Kono District (under loan agreement signed between EXIM Bank of India and EBID for US$ 500 million in 2018 meant to be funding projects in ECOWAS countries) in 2020.

Humanitarian & Other Assistance 

India has consistently provided humanitarian assistance to Sierra Leone. During the Hon’ble Vice President’s visit in October 2019, India announced a donation of 1,000 MT of rice, delivered in March 2021. To combat COVID-19, India sent 7,060 kg of medicines worth $149,720 in February 2021.

India contributed $100,000 to the Sierra Leone Residual Special Court in 2023 and previously provided $50,000 for flood relief in 2017. In response to the Ebola outbreak, India donated $50,000 in medical supplies in 2014, along with contributions to the UN Trust Fund ($12 million) and WHO ($50,000).

Past assistance includes 40,000 tonnes of rice in 2008, 200 military barracks in 2009, and repeated donations of indelible ink for elections. In 2024, India approved a $990,000 grant for a project supporting persons with disabilities.

ITEC & Other Capacity Building Programmes 

During the Hon’ble Vice President’s visit in October 2019, an MoU was signed for Sierra Leone’s participation in India’s Pan-African Tele-Education and Tele-Medicine initiatives (e-VBAB). Over 450 Sierra Leoneans have enrolled in the e-VidyaBharati programme for online education from Indian universities. A Learning Centre was established at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, with India providing essential infrastructure and internet costs. The Centre was inaugurated in July 2021.

Sierra Leone benefits from India’s ITEC programme, receiving 50 training slots annually, increased to 87 in 2024-25. The ICCR scholarship scheme also expanded from 15 to 37 slots for UG, PG, and Ph.D.courses. Defence training opportunities include courses in combat leadership, maritime law, search and rescue, and engineering, with several personnel undergoing specialized training in India.

In 2025, an officer from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Environment attended an ITEC Executive Course on Wildlife and Conservation. Senior officials participated in an Executive Course on Data for Development at NILERD under India’s G20 initiative. Many Sierra Leonean diplomats have attended professional courses at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS).

Sierra Leone’s Civil Aviation Authority received specialized training under e-ITEC in 2021. The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) trained Sierra Leone’s electoral officials in 2021. The Barefoot College in Rajasthan has trained Sierra Leonean women in solar electrification.

Additionally, Sierra Leonean scholars have benefitted from the Netaji Subhas ICAR International Fellowships in Agriculture. In 2018, Indian experts provided cybercrime training to the Sierra Leone Police.

Culture 

India and Sierra Leone signed a Cultural Exchange Programme MoU during the Hon’ble Vice President’s visit to strengthen people-to-people ties. As part of Freedom70, a Kathak dance troupe visited Freetown in January 2018. Since 2015, Freetown has hosted the International Day of Yoga annually. The Mission also organizes various cultural events. An India Corner was established at Fourah Bay College Library, inaugurated by Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education on 27 March 2024.

Indian Community 

Indian traders first arrived in Sierra Leone in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By 1977, the Indian population was around 600, with two-thirds engaged in trade and the rest as teachers and experts. Today, the Indian community has grown to approximately 4,000, primarily involved in trade and manufacturing. The Indian Mercantile Association, Sierra Leone Malayalee Association, and Sierra Leone Sindhi Association represent the community. There are two religious sites: a Hindu temple managed by the Indian Mercantile Association and a Sikh Gurudwara run by the Jeety Group.

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March 2025