Highly placed sources confirmed to Financial Express Online that the President is expected to visit countries including Gambia, Benin and Guinea. However, from the Indian interest perspective, these three smaller, non-English speaking and West African countries are important for various reasons. Team 9 is special cooperation with West African Countries, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, and India. Energy SecurityBeing one of the biggest energy consumers, New Delhi’s engagement with West African countries are primarily driven by its energy needs. The GambiaThis will the first-ever high profile visit by Indian Head of State to the Gambia and other West African countries.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 19, 2019 13:30 UTC