1. The Third India-Senegal Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in Dakar, Senegal on 5 November 2021. The meeting was Co-Chaired by H.E. Mr. V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs of India and H.E. Mrs. Aïssata Tall Sall, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal. The Joint Commission was established pursuant to an agreement signed on 16 February 1997.
2. H.E. Mrs. Aïssata Tall Sall welcomed Minister of State for External Affairs of India H.E. Mr. V. Muraleedharan and the accompanying delegation to Senegal, for which MOS Muraleedharan expressed appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended to him and delegation.
3. The visits of President of Senegal H.E. Mr. Macky Sall to India in October 2015 and in May 2017 were recalled by both sides. Both sides agreed to have frequent and regular high-level visits in order to strengthen bilateral relations.
4. Both Ministers reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and looked forward to celebrate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. In this regard, the two sides decided to hold a number of events including issuing a commemorative postage stamp by Senegal.
5. Both sides stressed the importance of holding regular Joint Commission Meetings (JCM) and Foreign office Consultations (FOCs). Both sides explored setting up of Joint Trade Committee, headed at Joint Secretary level and holding of inter-session meetings between two JCMs at Secretary/ Secretary General level to review the implementation of decisions taken during JCMs.
6. The two sides discussed ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in economic, trade and commerce, investment and other sectors including development partnership, capacity building, defence and maritime security, cultural and people-to-people contacts.
7. While expressing satisfaction at the current bilateral trade and investment ties, both sides reaffirmed that there remains significant untapped potential. The two sides reiterated their commitment to intensify the trade-related interactions through exchanges of visits, participating in exhibitions, seminars, workshops, etc., and underlined the benefit of utilizing the Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme offered by India for Senegal.
8. Both sides agreed that they would encourage Indian companies to invest in Senegal, especially in priority areas ‘Plan Senegal Emergent’. The Senegalese side agreed to facilitate investment by Indian companies in Senegal in joint-venture. Both sides noted the emerging opportunities with the launching of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) for furthering India-Africa trade and investment.
9. Both sides identified cooperation in the field of Health, in particular the pharmaceutical sector, telemedicine, supply of surgical and hospital materials and equipment, as potential areas for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Both sides noted the keen interest of Indian pharmaceutical companies in the Senegalese pharma market. The Senegalese side thanked India for gifting 25,000 doses of ‘made in India’ Covid vaccine to Senegal. Both sides signed an MoU for cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine during the JCM. Both sides agreed to consider mutual recognition of vaccination certificates issued by both countries.
10. Both sides noted the developmental strides made by India using ICT, and the aspiration of Senegal to utilize the ICT revolution for the economic benefit of its people through its flagship ‘Digital Senegal Strategy 2025’. Both sides agreed to cooperate and work out modalities for cooperation in this area, including in e-Governance, Direct Benefit Transfer, cloud development, Digital Financial Services, e-Taxation etc.
11. Both sides noted the significant Indian assistance in the field of agriculture, particularly through technical assistance and agricultural equipment, and agreed to further cooperate in the field of agriculture, particularly in agricultural mechanization, export of agricultural equipment, tractors and other equipment, technology/expert exchange as well as capacity building.
12. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in sustainable management of fishery resources and habitat restoration, development of aquaculture, enhancement of fishery production, strengthening human capital, improvement of the governance of the sector and modernization of the merchant navy.
13. Both sides underlined the scope for cooperation in energy sector, particularly, petroleum and natural gas and agreed for cooperation in exploration of crude oil through India’s investment in Senegal, exchange of technical experts and capacity building.
14. Both sides identified rail transport sector as another promising sector for bilateral cooperation, and agreed to explore specific areas of cooperation in this sector.
15. The Senegalese side expressed gratitude for India’s developmental assistance through Lines of Credit, Grants, Buyers Credit, and training programmes and scholarships. Both sides reviewed the developmental partnership that exist between the two countries and agreed to continue for further development cooperation through fresh LOCs. An MOU on diplomats training was signed during the JCM.
16. Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation including through regular training programmes. Both sides reiterated their strong condemnation to terrorism in any form and manifestation and stressed the need for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN General Assembly.
17. Both sides agreed the urgent need for the expansion of UNSC, both in its Permanent and Non-Permanent membership, giving adequate representation to Africa and India.
18. Both sides noted the need for preserving the environment and to maintain the balance between development and climate change impact. Both sides have also committed for collaboration at international level on the issue of climate change.
19. It was agreed that the fourth meeting of the Joint Commission would be held in New Delhi, on dates to be determined by mutual convenience.
Dakar
November 05, 2021