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India, Ghana ink key pacts during PM Modi's visit, aim to double trade in 5 years

India, Ghana ink key pacts during PM Modi's visit, aim to double trade in 5 years

India Today12 hours ago
India and Ghana on Wednesday elevated their relationship to a comprehensive partnership during a historic visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the first prime ministerial visit from India to Ghana in 30 years.During the visit, PM Modi reaffirmed that India is a co-traveller in Ghana;s development journey. PM Modi met with Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama and held wide-ranging talks.advertisementThe two leaders agreed to double trade in the next five years, strengthen defence ties and boost cooperation in areas like digital payments, healthcare, culture and critical minerals.
"Indian companies have invested nearly two billion dollars in about 900 projects. Today, we have set a target to double our mutual trade in the next five years," PM Modi said in a media statement."In the field of FinTech, India is ready to share its experience of UPI digital payments with Ghana," he noted.During the PM Modi's historic visit, the nations signed four key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs):The first was a Cultural Exchange Programme, which will help both countries share and learn more about each other's art, music, dance, literature and heritage.The second agreement was between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Ghana Standards Authority to work together on improving product standards, quality checks and certification.The third deal focused on traditional medicine, where India and Ghana will work together on education, training and research in this field.The fourth agreement set up a Joint Commission Meeting, which will allow both countries to hold regular high-level talks to review and improve their partnership.advertisementThe two leaders also discussed a wide range of global and regional challenges, including terrorism. The leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, while recognising it as a common threat to humanity.In the area of defence and security, India is committed to supporting Ghana through training programs and the provision of defence equipment. During the visit, PM Modi also assured India's assistance on the economic front and pledged to help Ghana boost its agriculture sector in order to achieve food security.Additionally, India pledged support for Ghana's ambition to become a regional hub for vaccine production. Modi also reaffirmed India's strong backing for the Global South and welcomed the African Union's inclusion in the G20 during India's presidency.Additionally, the prime minister was also conferred with 'The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana', the country's national honour, for his "distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership". PM Narendra Modi received the honour from the Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.- Ends
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