External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti in New Delhi on Thursday, with both sides discussing ways to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

Nyanti's visit to India comes as the two countries seek to expand their bilateral engagement in areas including technology, agriculture, healthcare, mining, energy, trade and investment, education and capacity building.

India-Liberia Ties Reviewed

During the meeting, Jaishankar and Nyanti reviewed the broader India-Liberia relationship and exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

The discussions covered both economic and developmental cooperation, with particular attention to areas where India and Liberia can expand partnerships and share expertise.

Jaishankar later described his conversation with Nyanti as “productive”, highlighting cooperation on commercial shipping, mining, healthcare, agriculture, water and training.

Focus on Commercial Shipping

Safety and security of commercial shipping emerged as one of the issues discussed by the two ministers.

Maritime security remains an important concern for international trade, particularly amid disruptions and security challenges affecting major shipping routes.

India and Liberia also have potential areas of cooperation linked to maritime trade, given Liberia's role in global shipping and India's expanding focus on secure international supply chains.

New Liberian Embassy in New Delhi

Jaishankar also congratulated Nyanti on the inauguration of the new Embassy of Liberia in New Delhi.

The opening of the diplomatic mission is expected to strengthen institutional engagement between the two countries and provide a greater platform for expanding bilateral cooperation.

The embassy is likely to facilitate closer diplomatic, commercial and people-to-people ties between India and Liberia.

Cooperation in Key Sectors

The talks covered several sectors considered important for Liberia's development and India's engagement with African countries.

These included technology, agriculture, healthcare, mining, energy, trade and investment, education and capacity building.

Water management and training were also discussed during the meeting.

India has increasingly focused on development partnerships with African countries through capacity building, technical cooperation, education and skill development.

UNSC Reforms Discussed

The two ministers also discussed reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Jaishankar said the meeting focused on the need for long-pending reforms at the global body.

India has consistently called for an expansion of the UNSC's permanent and non-permanent membership, arguing that its composition should better reflect contemporary global realities.

Liberia, as an African country, also has an interest in broader representation of the continent in global decision-making institutions.

Strengthening South-South Cooperation

Jaishankar said India remains committed to strengthening South-South cooperation with Liberia.

The two countries are expected to continue exploring opportunities for collaboration in development, trade, technology and capacity building.

The meeting comes at a time when India is seeking to deepen its engagement with African nations through economic partnerships, development assistance and cooperation in emerging sectors.

The inauguration of Liberia's new embassy in New Delhi and the ministerial-level discussions are likely to provide further momentum to India-Liberia relations.

The Karnataka Hakki Pikki Tribal Organisation has urged the Central Government to intervene after nine members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community were arrested in Ivory Coast for allegedly selling herbal oil without the required permission.

The nine tribal members, including six men and three women from Karnataka's Shivamogga and Mysuru districts, have reportedly been lodged in jail for the past four days after being detained by local authorities in the West African nation.

According to local police and community representatives, the group had travelled to Ivory Coast around six months ago as part of their traditional business of selling herbal massage oils, a livelihood that many members of the Hakki Pikki community have pursued across African countries for years.

Arrest Over Business Activity

Police identified the detained individuals as Prabhudev, Nirveni, Shahajan, Shanthi, Girish, Lakshmi, Pappu P, Pappa and Simbran.

The arrests were reportedly made after authorities alleged that the group was selling herbal oil without obtaining the necessary local permissions.

Community leaders said the group was detained while conducting business in Abengourou, located nearly 200 kilometres from Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan.

Organisation Appeals for Government Intervention

The Karnataka Hakki Pikki Tribal Organisation has appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Ivory Coast to take immediate steps to secure the release of the detained tribal members and facilitate their safe return to India.

State President of the organisation, Puneeth Kumar R., urged the Centre to intervene diplomatically, stating that the group has been unable to continue its business and remains stranded in prison.

Family Claims Documents Were Available

Speaking from prison to The Indian Express, one of the detainees, Nirveni, said the group was arrested on July 29 despite informing the police that one member possessed the required business-related documents.

According to her, local authorities allegedly did not consider their explanation before taking them into custody.

The group has remained behind bars since the arrest and is unable to return home.

Traditional Livelihood Abroad

Members of the Hakki Pikki tribe have traditionally travelled to several African countries to market herbal oils and other natural products. The business has become an important source of income for many families from the community.

The latest incident has once again highlighted the legal and documentation challenges faced by small traders working overseas.

The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrests or any diplomatic engagement with the authorities in Ivory Coast.

 Indian-origin diamond businessman Dhiru Ramani has been released after spending nearly three months in captivity in Mali, following negotiations that reportedly ended with his family paying a ransom of €4 million (around ₹44 crore) to secure his freedom.

Ramani, 75, was freed along with two other Indian nationals—a cook and an electrician—who had been abducted with him while working at a gold mining project in the West African nation.

Following his release earlier this week, Ramani was taken to Bamako, where he underwent medical examinations. Officials said his condition is stable, although he remains in Mali while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping.

Kidnapped During Mining Project

Ramani was kidnapped in April by an unidentified armed group while overseeing operations at a gold mine he had recently acquired in Mali.

Originally from Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district, Ramani built his business career in Surat's diamond industry before later expanding into mining ventures in Africa.

According to reports, the kidnappers did not contact the family for nearly two months after the abduction. Security experts say such delays are often used by armed groups to increase pressure during ransom negotiations.

Ransom Negotiations

When communication was eventually established, the abductors reportedly demanded €10 million (around ₹100 crore) for Ramani's release.

According to family sources, negotiations intensified in the final stages, and the family first confirmed Ramani's safety through a video call before agreeing to pay €4 million.

Reports indicate that the negotiations were handled privately by Ramani's family, which is based in the United States, without direct involvement from Indian or US government agencies.

Despite the prolonged captivity, Ramani is said to have remained in relatively good health. The presence of a cook among the hostages reportedly ensured they received regular meals throughout their detention.

Security Situation in Mali

The kidnapping has once again highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Mali, where militant groups and criminal organisations have increasingly targeted foreign nationals involved in business and mining activities.

Around the time of Ramani's disappearance, the Indian Embassy in Bamako issued an advisory urging Indian citizens in Mali to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel and restrict movement because of rising militant activity.

From Diamonds to Mining

Ramani entered the diamond business in the early 1980s and became a well-known figure in Surat, one of the world's largest diamond processing hubs.

He later relocated to the United States, where his family diversified into natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and luxury jewellery.

About two years ago, he expanded into Mali's gold mining sector in search of new investment opportunities.

Malian authorities are continuing their investigation to identify those responsible for the abduction. Ramani is expected to return to the United States after completing legal formalities and receiving clearance from local authorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his first official visit to Ghana, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in nearly three decades. The Ghana visit is the opening leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening India's engagement with the Global South and expanding strategic partnerships across Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. (Ministry of External Affairs)

The Prime Minister's visit is expected to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, defence, digital technology, healthcare, education and energy. During his stay in Accra, Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and review the full spectrum of India-Ghana relations. (Ministry of External Affairs)

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit to deepen cooperation in key sectors. The two countries are also expected to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, including economic development, maritime security and South-South cooperation. (Ministry of External Affairs)

The visit carries added significance as it is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana since 1995. Officials believe it reflects India's growing focus on strengthening ties with African nations through development partnerships, capacity building and increased economic engagement. (Ministry of External Affairs)

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address the Parliament of Ghana, highlighting the democratic values shared by both countries and outlining India's vision for stronger cooperation with Africa. The two sides are likely to discuss ways to boost business collaboration and promote greater people-to-people exchanges. (Ministry of External Affairs)

After concluding his engagements in Ghana, the Prime Minister will continue his diplomatic tour with visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. The multi-nation visit includes participation in the BRICS Summit in Brazil and several bilateral meetings with world leaders. (Facebook)

Officials said the tour is intended to reinforce India's strategic partnerships across multiple regions while expanding cooperation in trade, technology, infrastructure, defence and sustainable development. The visit is also expected to strengthen India's outreach to developing nations and further its diplomatic and economic interests on the global stage. (Ministry of External Affairs)