DAKSHIN

Djibouti

Historical linkages, cultural affinities and people to people contact between Djibouti and India dates back prior to India’s independence in 1947 and Djibouti’s independence in 1977. Indian seafarers and traders from Gujarat and Kerala frequently visited the port of Adulis for trading in spices and silk for gold and ivory. The Honorary Consul of India started functioning in Djibouti in 1969 before Djibouti’s independence in 1977. While Djibouti opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 2004, India opened its resident Mission in Djibouti in 2019.

Government of India provided Lines of Credit to the Government of Djibouti for the construction of a cement plant at Ali Sabieh

The Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Djibouti was inaugurated by the President of Djibouti H.E. Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh

An Artificial Limb Fitment Camp was organised in Djibouti

Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic

India has provided 24,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Djibouti under Covax scheme in March 2021.
India provided 50 metric tons of food aid (Sugar, Rice and Wheat Flour) to Djibouti in November 2020.
A consignment of medicines, consisting of 428 packets weighing 5954 Kgs. costing USD 118,046 (Rs. 86 Lakhs) was gifted to the Ministry of Health, Government of Djibouti in April 2021.

Capacity Building & Other Exchanges

Under ITEC programme, India is extending support to Djibouti for capacity building. So far, about 179 officials/professionals from Djibouti have benefitted from it. 2 officers from Djiboutian Navy have also been trained in India under Defence ITEC in 2022-23.
Similarly, ICCR scholarships are extended to Djiboutian students for pursuing higher education in India. So far, 98 Djiboutian students have benefitted from ICCR scholarships till the year 2023. Djiboutian students also study in India on self-financing basis.
12 young Djiboutian Diplomats have been trained so far at SSIFS, MEA under the Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD).
In collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), Jaipur and ANPH, Djibouti the Indian Embassy in Djibouti organized an Artificial Limbs Fitment Camp at the Military Hospital in Djibouti in December 2021. 192 persons benefitted from the Camp with 197 artificial limbs fitted by the BMVSS team.

Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)

Government of India extended a grant of USD 5 million to build Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (MGCLE) in January 2017. The project was completed and inaugurated in November 2018. The Centre is being run successfully and various training courses are conducted there. It is being utilized by the budding entrepreneurs. To mark the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a bust of him was installed & inaugurated at the MGCLE in January 2020.
EXIM Bank has extended four GOI supported Line of Credits aggregating USD 50.39 million to the Government of Djibouti in four tranches for the construction of cement plant at Ali Sabieh.
Government of India executed a QIP in 2021 & 2022 at CASAF, Djibouti at a cost of USD 50,826 for providing vocational training in different areas to underprivileged women.