India has provided 50 Metric Tons of food aid to the people of Djibouti. This aid was a part of its assistance to India’s friendly countries so as to overcome natural calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Highlights
The Ambassador of India to Djibouti Ashok Kumar handed over the food items to the Secretary-General of the country’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Solidarity Mme Ifrah Ali Ahmed. This aid was provided as part of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Djibouti and it was delivered to Djibouti by INS Airavat. The Ministry of external affairs also stated that the step was part of SAGAR II (Security and Growth for All in the Region). Through the SAGAR II mission the Government of India is providing 270 Metric Tons of Humanitarian assistance to friendly countries in the region.
India-Djibouti Background
The relation between India and Djibouti exists since the ancient times. In the ancient times, port of Adulis in Djibouti was hub of maritime trade for Indian seafarers to do trade in spices and silk for gold and ivory.
India-Djibouti Relation
Djibouti opened its embassy in New Delhi in the year 2004. However, India does not have embassy in Djibouti. India’s relations with Djibouti is based on the handful of diaspora and limited trade links from ancient times. In the recent steps, Djibouti has acquired major significance because of geopolitical developments and presence of military bases of US and China side by side in the Djibouti. Djibouti also supported India during the “Operation Rahat” to evacuate Indians from war-affected Yemen in 2015. In 2014-15, bilateral trade between both the countries stood at US$ 239.43 million. Most of trade with Djibouti actually serves growing market in Ethiopia. India exports mainly iron & steel products, paper and plastic products.
Djibouti Code of Conduct
This code is also known as Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery of the Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. This code was adopted on 29th January 2009. India, in September 2020, joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC) as an observer. This step was aimed at enhancing the maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. The code has been signed by 20 countries namely, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Kenya, Maldives, Seychelles, the United Republic of Tanzania, Somalia, Yemen, Comoros, Egypt, Jordan, Eritrea, Mauritius, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia, Oman, South Africa, Sudan and United Arab Emirates.