Cameroon, India review strides, commit to strengthen bilateral ties.

The pledge was made yesterday in Yaounde. This was during the 3^rd session of the Cameroon-India Inter-governmental Consultation.

The session was chaired by the Minister of External Relations, MINREX, Mbella Mbella. He was in the company of the Indian Additional Secretary for Central and West Africa and Head of the delegation, Sevala Naik Mude.

Also in attendance was the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of relations with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu, the Indian High Commissioner to Cameroon and other dignitaries.

Discussions during the Cameroon-India Inter-governmental Consultation revolved around two sections. Both parties reviewed bilateral ties. Here, they discussed issues relating to trade and commerce, cooperation in mining, healthcare, defence and security, development partnership, people-to-people linkage and judicial cooperation.

It was also an opportunity for them to exchange views on regional and multilateral issues.

In his address, External Relations Minister, Mbella Mbella, said the inter-governmental consultation was intended to access cooperation ties between India and Cameroon.

The member of government went further to disclose that the consultations presented a genuine opportunity to revisit cooperation ties between Cameroon and India, consolidate their achievements and open up new perspectives for bilateral exchanges.

The MINREX boss added that the mechanism in question, which was adopted after mutual consent, was intended to contribute significantly towards enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, specifically for political economic and commercial dialogue.

Mbella Mbella assured the Indian delegation of Yaounde’s support in strengthening their bilateral ties.

“I can assure you that my country, Cameroon, intends to instil fresh impetus to move our cooperation to a higher and strategic level,” Mbella Mbella said.

India reiterates support to Cameroon’s dev’t projects

Speaking earlier, the Additional Secretary of India and Head of the Delegation, Sevala Naik Muden, expressed satisfaction that the longstanding and deep-rooted bilateral relations with Cameroon has grown from strength to strength.

He said the inter-governmental consultation provided the opportunity to review bilateral relations, identify new areas of mutual interest as well as access what they have achieved so far.

Sevala Naik Muden disclosed that India has always believed in sharing the fruits of economic progress with friendly countries like Cameroon.

“India regards Cameroon as an important partner for our enhanced engagement for the entire Africa. I would like to see that both countries move forward with a global vision, peace, stability and prosperity based on sustainable and inclusive development,” Muden said.

The diplomat also said he was looking forward to strengthening ties with Cameroon. He said both parties have the collective responsibility to take their bilateral ties to the next level by furthering mutual benefit.  

“I am glad to know that the ties between both countries are growing. I hope there is a new potential to achieve new heights. I am confident that given the opportunities available, more investments will come from India. I am also hopeful that we will jointly explore the potentials to provide more momentum to bilateral trade,” he added.

He went further to “reiterate the commitment of the government of India, to be a reliable partner of Cameroon in its development journey”.  

It should be recalled that it is the third time the Cameroon-India Inter-governmental consultation is taking place. Yaounde hosted the maiden consultations in 2003. The second was held in New Delhi, India in 2008.