Today, March 18, the first Bilateral Consultation Meeting between Cabo Verde and India took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration, thus initiating new chapters in their cooperation relations.

The meeting was co-chaired, on the Cape Verdean side, by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Miryan Vieira, and on the Indian side, by Ambassador Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, responsible for Central and West African affairs in the aforementioned Ministry.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed the main issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Cabo Verde and India, covering economic and trade cooperation, investment, defense and security, partnership for development, culture, and prospects for further strengthening ties between the two countries.

"During the meeting, we made a positive assessment of India's intervention, especially in the education and health sectors here in Cabo Verde. We also envisage future cooperation in the fields of tourism, blue economy, digital economy, and how India can encourage its investment here in Cabo Verde," said the Secretary of State during a joint press conference.

The friendship and cooperation relations between the Republic of Cabo Verde and the Republic of India are historical and stable, dating back to 1977. Since their establishment, both parties have cooperated in various areas, with a focus on education (training) and technical capacity building, culture, etc.

The friendship and cooperation relations between India and Cabo Verde have gained new momentum with the intensification of political-diplomatic contacts between the two countries. The appointment of a Resident Ambassador by India in Praia has contributed to further raising the level and frequency of these exchanges.

For his part, the Indian Secretary of State expressed great anticipation for the reinforcement of cooperation between Cabo Verde and India.

On the sidelines of this Meeting, the two Parties signed an updated Protocol between the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cabo Verde regarding Bilateral Consultations, signed in November 2009.