Both sides to hold next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Freetown
Sierra Leone has agreed to consider support to India’s candidature for UNSC non-permanent seat for the year 2028-29, the officials said on Tuesday.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Sierra Leone has also agreed to expedite the approval process for its government to sign the Agreement of International Solar Alliance (ISA), recognise Indian Pharmacopoeia, and join the Global Biofeuls Alliance.
The decision was taken after the second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), co-chaired by Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, and Alan C. E. Logan, Director-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Leader of the delegation from Sierra Leonean side were held on March 10, 2025, in New Delhi, the statement said.
India and Sierra Leone share warm and friendly relations. There have been regular visits from both sides. The opening of India’s Resident Mission in Freetown in 2020 has increased both countries’ engagements. The India-Sierra Leone bilateral trade has registered US$ 298 million during 2023-24, increased by three-fold growth in the last decade. Sierra Leone is a beneficiary of the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme extended by India, which will help in boosting exports of bulk minerals, ores and other commodities to India.
The FOC meeting between India and Sierra Leone was held in a friendly atmosphere. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Freetown at a mutually convenient date.
Source; The Tribune