Historical links, cultural affinities and people-to-people contacts between India and Djibouti have existed long before India’s independence in 1947 and Djibouti’s independence in 1977.  The Honorary Consul of India has been functioning in Djibouti since 1969.  The present Consul, Mr. Nalin J. Kothari, is the son of the first Honorary Consul of India, Mr. S.J. Kothari, who was Honorary Consul of India for 25 years.  Djibouti has opened its Embassy in New Delhi and a Consulate in Mumbai with Mr. Youssouf Omar Doualeh as Ambassador of Djibouti and Mr. Mohamed Idriss Saban as Consul General respectively.

India-Djibouti relations:

Contacts between India and Djibouti have existed since ancient times. The port of Adulis was the hub of maritime trade where Indian seafarers have flocked trading in spices and silk for gold and ivory. The people of Djibouti are born from a contact among the cultures of East Africa, the Arab peninsula and the Indian sub-continent. Present day relations received a boost with the historic visit of the President of Djibouti to India in May 2003. The visit opened up vistas of opportunities in many areas of mutual interest. It has enhanced contacts and business linkages.

            The relations between India and Djibouti are traditionally warm and friendly. Indian ships make regular calls at the Port of Djibouti on transit. We share similar perception on issues of common concern and those that affect developing countries. Bilateral contacts have increased in the last one year.

Bilateral visits:

H.E. Mr. Ismail Omer Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti made a historic visit to India in May 2003. He was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Public Works and Public Transport. A 30 member business delegation also accompanied the official entourage. 

Commander of the Armed Forces in the Republic of Djibouti, General Fathi Ahmed Houssein visited India in October 2003. Indian naval ships have been making routine visits to Djibouti.  In the last three years, five ships have visited Djibouti port.  These were INS Sindhuraj in January 2002, INS Sindhuratna in November 2002, INS Tarangini in February 2003, INS Talwar in August 2003 and INS Dunagiri in May 2004.  INS Tarangini again visited Djibouti on 8 May 2005.  A naval flotilla consisting of INS Viraat, INS Mysore, INS Godavari, INS Shalki and INS Aditya visited Djibouti under the command of Rear Admiral R.A. Contractor, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet on 19-22 November 2005 and held joint exercises codenamed “Varuna 05” with French Navy.

Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) signed at New Delhi on 19th May 2003.

• Civil Aviation Agreement signed at New Delhi on 19th May 2003.   
• Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed between India and Djibouti on 31st January 1989 and Executive Programme of Cultural, Education and Scientific
• Cooperation for the year 2003-2005 signed at New Delhi on 19th May 2003.

Economic relations with India:

            Djibouti is keen to develop economic partnership with India and would like to learn and receive assistance from India especially in areas of education, information technology, agriculture, small scale industries, portable electricity generating units, fisheries, water resource development, etc.  Our Economic and Commercial relations picked up momentum following the visit of President of Djibouti to India.  It was agreed to strengthen cooperation in various spheres. In order to contribute to the economic development of Djibouti, India provided an EXIM Bank Line of Credit of US$ 10 million in 2003.  India also enhanced the number of training vacancies under the ITEC programme and provided humanitarian assistance worth US$ 1 million in the form wheat, rice and medicine to meet the requirements arising from drought in 2003. The Djibouti side has requested for an additional credit of US$ 10 million. During the Djiboutian Presidential visit both sides also felt that bilateral relations had reached a stage at which an institutional mechanism such as a Joint Commission could be useful.

            Among the areas of cooperation, a Cement Project is being set up in Ali Sabieh under GOI credit of US$ 10 million.  Cooperation in other sectors like, to transform the Salt Lake by developing a chain of chemical industries to produce caustic soda, etc are being explored.  Djibouti is also interested in training for small and medium scale enterprises to acquire skill for using the tools.  Indian side has offered assistance in areas such as setting up Tool Centres in different parts of the country where small tools could be produced.  Similarly, in the area of rural electrification, IRCON has conducted feasibility study for rehabilitation works of rural electrification in Djibouti.  M/s Kirloskar have supplied generator sets for power production.

            Trade relations have picked up considerably following the visit of the President of Djibouti to India in May 2003. India’s export to Djibouti increased by 68% (US$ 72.9 million) during April 2003-March 2004 as compared to US$ 37.2 million during the corresponding period of 2002-2003.  India’s import from Djibouti was US$ 0.81 million and US$ 1.2 million during the period April 2002-March 2003 and April 2003-March 2004 respectively. Most of the trade between India and Djibouti is conducted primarily by the small Indian community in Djibouti numbering around 300.  The major items exported by India to Djibouti are iron and steel products, paper and plastic products, machinery, metals, yarns and fabrics, food items and drugs and pharmaceuticals.  Main import items are raw hides and skins, metal scraps and leather.

Under Article 6 of the CEP 2003-2005, the Indian side committed to offer to the Djibouti side scholarships for post graduate studies at Indian Universities after mutual consultations. The number of slots is being considered by our Ministry.  Under GCSS, ICCR has been offering one scholarship to Djibouti since 1992-1993.

            Djibouti was granted two ITEC slots per year till the year 2003-2004.  Djibouti authorities have shown greater interest in utilising ITEC courses and have become more aware of ITEC as an instrument for human resource development.  It has utilised five slots out of 10 slots allotted in 2004-05.  Djibouti has been allotted 5 ITEC slots from 2005-06.

            A bust of Mahatma Gandhi has been installed at a prominent location in Djibouti city and a prominent street has been named as Boulevard Mahatma Gandhi.  The formal launching ceremony was made by the Foreign Minister of Djibouti on 29 January 2004 (30 th January being Friday and closed holiday for Djibouti).

The Indian community in Djibouti at present is around 600 persons including family members.  Majority of them belong to Gujarat and Kerala.  Many Gujarati families originate from major towns of Rajkot and Jamnagar.  They are involved in trading and agency business representing companies from India, China, South Korea, Taiwan, etc.  Some of them work as corporate employees holding positions in accounts and management, computer programmers, etc.  The companies involved in ongoing Doraleh Port Project have also engaged a number of Indian experts and technicians.  A number of Indians are also working in the Djibouti port and refinery project.  Late Mr. J.J. Kothari, grandfather of the present Honorary Consul of India was one of the 10 persons who initially came to Djibouti in 1910 and initiated shipping and import business.  There are also French nationals of Indian origin numbering around 100.  The community has set up an Indian School up to Grade-IV level.