1. Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of the Republic of India, paid a State visit to Senegal from June 1 to 3, 2022. He was accompanied by Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Hon’ble Members of Parliament, namely Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Shri Vijay Pal Singh Tomar and Shri P. Ravindhranath and Senior Officials.
2. Upon his arrival at Léopold Sedar Senghor International Airport in Senegal on June 1, the Vice President was welcomed by Her Excellency Madame Aissata Tall Sall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad.
3. During the visit, the Vice President was received by the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Mr. Macky Sall. Both leaders discussed the bilateral cooperation, India-Africa partnership and international issues. These exchanges, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, enabled the two leaders to express their satisfaction with the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation that exist between India and Senegal , as well as their common desire to strengthen these relations for the good of the two friendly nations.
4. The Vice President of India and the delegation accompanying him held bilateral talks with the Senegalese delegation led by His Excellency Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal. The two parties reviewed all issues relating to bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.
5. Both leaders noted with satisfaction that the bilateral trade has reached to new mark of US$ 1.65 billion during 2021-22, and emphasized the need to diversify the trade basket. They agreed to encourage more private investment from India in Senegal in certain important sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, railways, mining, housing, oil & gas etc. The two leaders also welcomed the development cooperation partnership that exist between the two countries through Indian Lines of Credit worth US$ 350 million, Buyer's Credit worth US$ 305 million, and capacity building training programmes under ITEC etc.
6. The Vice President of India announced the upgradation of Phase 2 of the Center for Entrepreneurship Training and Development (CEDT), which was built with the help of grants from India. Recognizing the importance of investing in human resource development and capacity building, the Vice President also announced a special ITEC English proficiency course for Senegalese civil servants and a special professional course for Senegalese diplomats. The two leaders discussed the possibility of training in the field of defence, counter-terrorism and maritime piracy.
7. The two leaders acknowledged that the people-to-people exchanges between India and Senegal over the past decades are a pillar for strengthening the ties between the two nations.
8. Both parties have signed the following MoUs/Agreements:
-Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) between India and Senegal for 2022-26;
-Agreement on mutual exemption from the visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official/service passports; and
-MoU between India and Senegal on youth cooperation,
9. On the basis of the friendly and cooperative relations existing between India and Senegal, the two leaders pledged to build a mutually beneficial economic partnership in the interest of the two countries and to take advantage of all opportunities for investments available in the "Emergent Senegal 2035 Plan", particularly in areas offering comparative advantages that may foster the development of public-private partnership.
10. The two leaders discussed international political issues, including international terrorism and other armed conflicts that are not conducive to peace and stability in the world. They also pledged to support each other on issues of common interest in international forums.
11. The Vice President of India invited President Macky Sall to pay a visit to India. The Senegalese Head of State gladly accepted this invitation. The date of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.
12. His Excellency Mr. Moustapha NIASSE, Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal also met the Honorable Vice President of India.
13. The Vice President of India addressed the Indian community residing in Senegal. He also addressed the India-Senegal Business Forum in Dakar. Similarly, he delivered a public address at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) on the theme "Tiranga-Teranga: 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Senegal”.
14. At the end of his State visit to Senegal, the Vice President of India expressed his sincere thanks for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay.
Dakar,
June 3, 2022