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{{Infobox bilateral relations|The Gambia–India|The Gambia|India|map=Gambia_India_locator.png}}

'''The''' '''Gambia–India relations''' refers to the [[international relations]] that exist between [[The Gambia]] and [[India]]. The Gambia maintains a High Commission in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gambia High Commission in New Delhi, India|url=http://www.accessgambia.com/information/gambia-consulate-india.html|website=accessgambia.com|access-date=14 April 2017}}</ref> The Embassy of India in [[Dakar]], Senegal is concurrently accredited to The Gambia, the only [[Anglophone countries|Anglophone country]] accredited to that mission. India also maintains an Honorary [[Consul (representative)|Consulate]] General in [[Banjul]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Missions Abroad|url=http://mea.gov.in/indian-mission.htm?83/Gambia|website=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=14 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:The Gambia High Commission in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|High Commission of The Gambia in New Delhi]]
Relations between The Gambia and India were very limited until 1985, consisting only of a confirmation of their common [[Non-Aligned Movement|non-aligned]] principles, and common position on [[decolonisation]] and [[North–South divide in the World|North-South issues]]. Prior to 1985, The Gambia maintained limited diplomatic ties with [[Asia|Asian countries]], primarily focusing on countries such as Taiwan, China, South Korea and North Korea, from which it sought aid in exchange for political support.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Touray|first1=Omar A.|title=The Gambia and the World: A History of the Foreign Policy of Africa's Smallest State, 1965–1995|date=2000|publisher=GIGA-Hamburg|isbn=9783928049665|page=72|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=spDE4xto-JQC|access-date=14 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

The Gambia co-sponsored a resolution moved by India at the [[UN General Assembly]] in January 2015, to declare 21 June as [[International Yoga Day]].<ref>{{cite web|title=State House Correspondences|url=http://qanet.gm/statehouse/messages/appreciation-india-govt-gambia-co-sponsor-resolution-un-gen-assembly_29012015.htm|website=qanet.gm|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415200611/http://qanet.gm/statehouse/messages/appreciation-india-govt-gambia-co-sponsor-resolution-un-gen-assembly_29012015.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning|Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs]] [[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]] visited The Gambia in September 2015 as the Prime Minister's [[Special Envoy]] and officially invited the country to participate in the [[third India Africa Forum Summit]] (IAFS). Gambian Vice President [[Isatou Njie-Saidy]] led the country's delegation to participate in the IAFS in New Delhi on 26–29 October 2015.<ref name="MEA2016" /> Addressing the IAFS delegates, Njie-Saidy described India as a "genuine friend" and "brotherly country", and described its contribution to [[sustainable development]] in Gambia and Africa as "remarkable". She praised the bilateral co-operation between the two countries calling it "a flourishing partnership that remained a strong strategic mutual benefit to both sides". Njie-Saidy stated, "The Gambia and India have common interest in international affairs and sometimes share common points of view on international issues. The level of cooperation between Gambia and India at the international scene is very much encouraging especially at the level of the United Nations." She added that The Gambia continues to "enjoy immense support and assistance" from the Indian government, and that India's intervention in Africa had led to national development and improvements in the lives of the African people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201511022766.html|title=Gambia, India Share Common Interest in International Affairs|last=Jallow|first=Amadou|date=2015-11-02|work=The Daily Observer (Banjul)|access-date=2017-04-14}}</ref> Njie-Saidy also held closed door bilateral talks with Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] at [[Hyderabad House]] on 30 October.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delhi|first1=Amadou Jallow New|title=Gambia: VP Holds Talks With Indian PM to Strengthen Banjul, New Delhi Ties|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201511031658.html|website=The Daily Observer (Banjul)|access-date=14 April 2017|date=3 November 2015}}</ref>

Gambian Health and Social Welfare minister [[Omar Sey]] visited India in November 2015 and participated in the 2015 India-Africa Business forum. Addressing the forum, Sey stated that Indian "multinational pharmaceuticals and biotechnological companies have for decades revolutionized healthcare accessibility and affordability in Africa".<ref>{{cite web|title=India Has Revolutionised Healthcare in Africa Health Minister Tells India-Africa Business Forum|url=http://universalhealth2030.org/2015/11/04/india-has-revolutionised-healthcare-in-africa-health-minister-tells-india-africa-business-forum/|website=Universal Health 2030|access-date=14 April 2017|date=4 November 2015|archive-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904185108/http://universalhealth2030.org/2015/11/04/india-has-revolutionised-healthcare-in-africa-health-minister-tells-india-africa-business-forum/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Trade ==

India is The Gambia's third largest trading partner, after China and Senegal. India is the second largest destination for The Gambia's [[export]]s, and fourth largest source of its [[import]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=OEC – Gambia (GMB) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners|url=http://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/gmb/|website=atlas.media.mit.edu|access-date=14 April 2017|language=en}}</ref> Bilateral trade between The Gambia and India totaled US$90.90 million in 2015–16, declining by 17.08% from the previous fiscal year. India exported $59.54 million worth of goods to The Gambia, and imported $31.35 million. The main [[Commodity|commodities]] exported by India to The Gambia are cotton yarn, fabrics and made-ups, cosmetics, toiletries, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and semi-finished iron and steel products. The major commodities imported by India from The Gambia are raw cashew and cotton.<ref name = "MEA2016"/>

Gambian Minister of Trade and Industry Addoulie Jobe led a 3-member delegation to participate in 4th India-Africa Trade Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 23 October 2015.<ref name = "MEA2016"/> The Embassy of India in Dakar, in partnership with The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), organized an India-Gambia Business Forum themed “Doing Business with India” in [[Banjul]] on 14 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gambia, India discuss more business opportunities – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia|url=http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-india-discuss-more-business-opportunities|website=thepoint.gm|access-date=14 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

India provides The Gambia with unilateral duty-free tariff preferential (DFTP) market access for export of select goods.<ref name = "MEA2016"/>

== Foreign aid ==

The [[Pan-African e-Network project]] was implemented in The Gambia by [[Telecommunications Consultants India Limited]] (TCIL). An Indian [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] completed a solar electrification project in the Gambian villages of Kankurang and Kafenkeng in September 2007.<ref name="MEA2016" />

India provided The Gambia with two concessionary lines of credit worth $6.7 million for a tractor assembly plant project and $10 million for the construction of the [[National Assembly of the Gambia|National Assembly]] Building complex. India approved a total amount of $16.88 million as credit for completion of National Assembly.<ref name="MEA2016" /> The new National Assembly was officially inaugurated by Gambian President [[Yahya Jammeh]], who also announced that he would seek funding from India to expand the Banjul port.<ref name="BS1">{{cite web|last1=Paladhi|first1=Arijit|title=India plans to extend credit to develop Gambia's Banjul port|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-plans-to-extend-credit-to-develop-gambia-s-banjul-port-114103100009_1.html|website=Business Standard India|access-date=14 April 2017|date=31 October 2014}}</ref> Two lines of credit of $22.5 million each were extended in July 2014 for two projects in the Greater Banjul Area – an electricity project, and the replacement of asbestos water pipes with UPVC pipes.<ref name="MEA2016" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://standard.gm/site/2014/11/27/india-opens-new-us45-million-credit-line-to-gambia/|title=India opens new US$45 million credit line to Gambia – The Standard Newspaper|date=2014-11-27|work=The Standard Newspaper|access-date=2017-04-14|language=en-US}}</ref>

India provided a line of credit worth $92 million in April 2015 for the expansion of Banjul port,<ref name="MEA2016" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Exim India::The first & the only national daily on Export, Import, Shipping.|url=http://eximin.net/NewsDetails.aspx?name=27386|website=eximin.net|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028145031/http://eximin.net/NewsDetails.aspx?name=27386|url-status=dead}}</ref> and $10 million to the Gambia Rural Electrification Extension Project.<ref name="MEA2016" /> The Banjul port increased its berth space for ships, added a [[container terminal]], acquired cargo handling equipment and completed [[Automation|computerization]].<ref name="BS1"/> Two Indian surgeons from BLK Hospital visited Banjul in September 2016 to assist in the development of healthcare delivery. Indian firm Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast was awarded a contract in October 2016 to construct the [[University of the Gambia]] (UTG) Faraba campus in Banjul at a cost of $53.46 million. India provided a grant of $500,000 to The Gambia to procure medical and educational equipment.<ref name="MEA2016" />

The [[National Small Industries Corporation]] (NSIC) of India agreed to establish a Vocational Training Centre in The Gambia to provide skill training in fields such as plumbing, welding, electrical work, the construction industry, carpentry, draftsman-ship, survey, plastic technology, [[Information and communication technologies|ICT]], agro and food processing, and gemstones cutting and polishing.<ref name="MEA2016" />

Citizens of The Gambia are eligible for scholarships under the [[Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme]] and the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iccr.gov.in/content/africa-scholarships|title=Africa Scholarships|website=Indian Council for Cultural Relations|language=en|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512210421/http://iccr.gov.in/content/africa-scholarships|archive-date=12 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Gambians often visit India to seek medical treatment. Fourteen-year old Gambian youth [[association football|footballer]] Bubacarr Chatty received treatment for [[tuberculosis]] at the Pericardiatecony Hospital in Delhi in July 2011. Upon his return to The Gambia, he was welcomed by Vice President and Minister of Women Affairs Isatou Njie-Saidy, who praised the generosity of the Indian people. [[Gambia Football Association]] Secretary General Jammeh E.K. Bojang stated, "We can’t give words to express our happiness to the Gambian government and the Indian people for saving the life of a footballer who has the talent to be like [[Samuel Eto'o]] and [[Didier Drogba]] in the near future."<ref>{{cite web|title=VP receives Gambian footballer, following successful surgery of his career-threatening ailment – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia|url=http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/vp-receives-gambian-footballer-following-successful-surgery-of-his-career-threatening-ailment|website=thepoint.gm|access-date=14 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

Recently the Vice President of Gambia [[Muhammad B. S. Jallow|Muhammad Jallow]] addressed the India African Conclave in Delhi renewing and reaffirming cooperation & also appreciating India's dedication to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in Gambia calling it inspiring.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Moment calls for solidarity," says Zimbabwe's Vice President as African nations call for collaboration at CII Africa-India conclave |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/moment-calls-for-solidarity-says-zimbabwes-vice-president-as-african-nations-call-for-collaboration-at-cii-africa-india-conclave20240821124500/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref>

== Indians in The Gambia ==

As of 2023, around 3000 Indian citizens reside in The Gambia. They are primarily involved in trading and private businesses including the construction sector.<ref name = "MEA2016">{{cite web|title=India- The Gambia Relations|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Gambia_DEC2016.pdf|website=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=15 April 2017|date=December 2016}}</ref>

== Gambians in India ==
There are more than 700 Gambian students studying in India across various Universities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Attack on foreign students: Gambia diplomats visit ICCR office, GU |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/attack-on-foreign-students-gambia-diplomats-visit-iccr-office-gu-9223575/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Recently, His Excellency, Mustapha Jawara, [[High commissioner (Commonwealth)|High Commissioner]] of The Gambia to India signed an MoU with [[Yenepoya University]] in [[Mangalore]] where 28 Gambian nationals will be studying.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinto |first=Arun |date=2024-05-28 |title=Yenepoya (University) and Gambia sign MoU for Education and Empowerment |url=https://newskarnataka.com/education/yenepoya-university-and-gambia-sign-mou-for-education-and-empowerment/28052024/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=News Karnataka |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mangaluru: Yenepoya (Deemed to be university) & High Commission of the Republic of Gambia sign MOU |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1195247 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.daijiworld.com |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Foreign relations of the Gambia]]
* [[Foreign relations of India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Foreign relations of the Gambia}}
{{Foreign relations of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gambia-India relations}}
[[Category:The Gambia–India relations| ]]
[[Category:The Gambia and the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:India and the Commonwealth of Nations]]

The Gambia–India relations - Revision history

Chakravarthy: creating basic article v1