Embassy of India

ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE

Bilateral Brief: India-Guinea

Political: Relations between India and Republic of Guinea have been cordial and friendly. India had opened an Embassy in Conakry but closed in 1988 after more than 2 decades. India will soon formally open its Embassy in Conakry, as of now Ambassador of India to Cote d’Ivoire is concurrently accredited to Guinea with residence in Abidjan. President of Guinea H.E. Prof. Alpha Conde has shown keen interest in having close relations with India and, therefore, Guinea opened its Embassy in New Delhi in April 2012.

2. The political climate in Guinea is precariously volatile due to the frequent political demonstrations organized by the combined opposition parties. There have been proposals for the enactment of a new constitution which have been opposed by opposition parties as they claim it would allow third term for the current presidency. President Alpha Conde is serving his second term after reelection in October 2015.

Important Visits from India to Guinea:

3. Mrs Preneet Kaur, MOS PK (External Affairs) visited Guinea on 21-22 January 2014. This was the first Ministerial visit after the closure of Indian Embassy in Conakry in 1988. MOS (PK) met the President and the Prime Minister and held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister. Two agreements were signed with the Foreign Minister of Guinea, during the visit, namely, Establishment of Joint Commission between the Foreign Ministries of two countries and an MoU on Foreign Office Consultations.

Important Visits from Guinea to India:

4. President Ahmed Sekou Toure had visited Delhi for the NAM Summit in Delhi in 1983. President Prof. Alpha Conde visited India to participate in the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015, immediately after the presidential elections. Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, the then Minister of State in the Presidency and in charge of Investment and Public-Private-Partnership visited India from 23-31 March 2018 to participate in the 13th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave in New Delhi. Prime Minister of Guinea Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana again visited India to participate in the 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave in March 2019.

5. Besides these, there have been regular visits to India by Guinean Ministers to participate in International Conferences. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Guineans Abroad, Dr. Edouard Nyankoye participated in India-LDC Ministerial Conference on “Harnessing the Positive Contribution of South-South Cooperation for Development of Least Developed Countries” in February 2011. The Industry Minister Mrs. R Bah participated in CII Partnership Summit 2013 held in Agra from 27-29 January 2013.Foreign Minister of Guinea, Mr. Mamadi Toure visited India to hand over the invitations to the concerned Indian authorities to attend the Donors/Investors Conference in Paris. Foreign Minister of Guinea, Mr. Mamadi Toure again visited India to attend the First International Solar Alliance Summit on 10-11 March, 2018.

Trade and Commerce:

6. Bilateral trade during the last five years are as follows:

 

 

7. The overall bilateral trade between India and Guinea has been on the rise, though there is no clear trend visible. In the FY 2014-15, it crossed US$ 1 billion mark making India the second largest trading partner of Guinea. Major Indian exports include cereals rice, pharmaceuticals, textile, transport equipment, paints /chemicals, iron & steel, and construction equipment. Major Indian imports include pearls/stones/jewelry, mineral fuels & bitumen, cashew, scrap metals, aluminum, etc.

Indian Investment in Guinea:

8. A few Indians have established manufacturing facilities. There are also many Indian companies involved in trading, mining and agricultural businesses. Jaguar Industries has invested US $ 5 million in bauxite mining. Ashapura Mining has also invested US$ 5 million to develop a bauxite concession. The Government of Guinea has recently signed an agreement with an Indian Company, for the acquisition and development of an iron mine. Another company is setting up a 300 bed hospital called Indo-Guinea Friendship Hospital with an investment of around US $ 10 million. Shapoorji Pallonji Ltd is also working in the Kamsar Port project as a contractor. The value of the contract is US$ 250 million.

Indian Assistance:

9. India donated fifty electric transformers in April 2007 with capacities between 250 and 400 KVA costing Rs. 17.67 million to help Guinea mitigate its electricity problem. India also gifted defense related equipment of US$ 479,630 to the Government of Guinea.

10. Guinea was severely affected by Ebola Virus outbreak during 2014-15. GOI extended bilateral assistance of US$ 50,000 to Guinea to fight Ebola. In addition, GOI provided cash assistance of US$ 500,000 to WHO as well as contribution of US$ 10 million to UN Fund for Ebola and additional US$ 2 million for purchase of protective gear to tackle Ebola for the three Ebola affected countries of West Africa including Guinea and Liberia. Indo-Gulf Hospital, Noida (which is constructing a 300-bed Hospital in Conakry) has recently contributed medicines and other supplies to Guinea during the spread of Ebola virus at a total expenditure of Rs. 30 lakhs. Tata Steel also donated 10 Buses to the Government of Guinea during 2013.

Lines of Credit:

11. India has approved a Line of Credit of US$ 35 million to Guinea for strengthening of health system in March 2014. The project is under implementation. LOC of US$10.52 million through ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for rehabilitation and extension of the electricity networks in for four regional capitals of Guinea has been approved and is under implementation. Guinea has also availed Indian LOC of US$ 28.51 million through ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for importing 100 buses from India (US$ 8.1 million) and for rehabilitation and extension of the electricity networks in Guinea (US$ 20 million).

12. Another Line of Credit of US$ 59.87 million to Guinea for Agricultural Modernization and Development Project is also approved by GOI. However, not much progress has been made so far. Another LoC for US$ 20.22 million for two solar projects to the Government of Guinea was announced during the ISA Summit in March, 2018. The proposal is under consideration of the Ministry.

Capacity Building & India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):

13. The PAN African e-Network project of India has been in operation in Guinea. GoI has offered the upgraded e-VBAB programme to Guinea. Guinea has been allotted 30 slots under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) also provided 8 undergraduate/post graduate fully paid scholarships. These slots are being adequately utilized by the Guinean side barring 2014-15.

Cultural Relations:

14. In February 2013, ICCR sponsored a 8 member cultural troupe from Guinea to participate in Suraj Kund Art and Craft Mela. ICCR paid for their airfare and all local expenditure during their 15 days stay in India. A Folk Dance Troupe from Arunachal Pradesh visited Guinea and gave a performance in Conakry on 27 October 2017. This was the first ever visit by any cultural troupe from India.

Indian Community:

15. The Indian community in Guinea comprises about 800 persons. It is mainly involved in trading or working in trading companies. One Indian medical group is establishing a 300-bed hospital in Conakry. There is one Gurudwara cum Hindu temple in Conakry which is used by all Indians for their religious functions and gatherings.

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(last updated 02 July 2019)