Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma as the new ambassador accredited to the Republic of Liberia, according to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Prior to his appointment, H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma served as Counsellor in the High Commission of India in Dar-es Salaam, the Republic of Tanzania in east Africa.
Verma is expected to assume his duties in Monrovia shortly once all protocols have been finalized, Ministry of External Affairs dispatch read.
In August 2024, an India-Africa Business Conclave was held in New Delhi to advance existence ties and enhance collaboration between India and Africa. The Conclave.
Gambia’s Vice President Muhammad Jallow and Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung among other distinguished African political leaders addressed the Conclave.
In his speech, Vice President Koung praised India’s rich tradition and history as well as its indispensable contribution to international politics, economics, and security.
Vice President Koung said, “Today, I am proud of the long-standing diplomatic relationship that continues to exist between India and Liberia over the six decades. Our tow nations have been deeply engaged in international trade and commerce in the last decades.”
Bilateral relations between India and Liberia have traditionally been strong and cordial with Liberia’s full-fledged support for India’s aspiration for permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. In recent years, both nations have developed close and extensive cooperation in trade, military and strategic fields.
Mr. Rohit Suji, a Liberian-born Indian national, businessman, financial expert, and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the India-Liberia Business Forum/Council is keen to supporting entrepreneurship, tourism and cultural diplomacy and increased ties between Liberia and India.
Rohit Suji, a Liberian-born Indian national and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the India-Liberia Business Forum/Council
Cultural diplomacy is a type of soft power that includes the “exchange of ideas, information, art, language and other aspects of culture among nations and their peoples in order to foster mutual understanding.
According to Mr. Suji, he wants young Liberians to engage entrepreneurship, succeed and foster business collaboration with young Indians around the world, especially in the areas of information technology, agriculture, manufacturing, trade and commerce, entertainment, leisure and hospitality.
Indian Community in Liberia:
There are about 2000 Indian nationals, many of them prominent businesspeople, residing in Liberia. The Indian community is mainly engaged in trading and providing services. However, few of them have now started manufacturing ventures too. Liberian government recognized the community substantial contribution to the country’s economy. There is a Sikh Gurudwara, a Hindu Temple and also a cremation ground in Liberia.
Support to Liberia:
India donated SDR 11.15 million towards the IMF’s Financial Package for Liberia’s Debt Relief in October 2007. India had gifted 25 buses in 2010 which was a visible example of India’s assistance for improving daily lives of thousands of Liberians. In December 2014, India provided 15 buses to Liberia which were formally received by then Foreign Minister Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan in the presence former President Sirleaf.
India has provided agricultural assistance package consisting of pesticides and sprayers to the Liberian government in 2009 to help combat emergency situation caused by caterpillar infestation. India announced gifting of a CT scan machine to JFK Medical Centre in Monrovia, Barefoot Vocational Training Centre, a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology and a Farm Science Centre to augmenting the medical and educational sectors in Liberia. The CT Scan machine has already been ordered and is expected to reach Liberia in few months.
Human Resource Development and Capacity Building:
India has and continues to contribute towards human resource development, capacity building and skills up-gradation of Liberians. Under IAFS I and II, India committed to set up an Information Technology Centre, a Farm Science Centre and a Training Centre for Women in the Solar Energy sector. A Vocational Training Centre for Women is being set up at Buchannan City, Grand Bassa County by Barefoot College Tilonia.
Liberia has also been a beneficiary nation of the PAN African e-network project. India provides 70 training slots under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) & six ICCR scholarships for post graduate studies. Liberians is also benefiting from other capacity building trainings in India under the IAFS as well as under the US-Liberia-India trilateral cooperation Programme.
