M. Keivom appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Djibouti

New Delhi: According to an official press announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), M. Keivom, who is now a Director in the MEA, has been named the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Djibouti. In a major move to improve India’s diplomatic relations with Djibouti, he is anticipated to take up his new position soon.

The appointment of Keivom coincides with the strengthening of ties between Djibouti and India. The two countries have historical and cultural ties that go back far before they gained their freedom. Indian merchants and mariners, mostly from Gujarat and Kerala, have been using the port of Adulis for generations to exchange ivory, silk, gold, and spices.

The solid diplomatic relations that now exist were established as a result of these early exchanges. Formal diplomatic ties were established in 1969 when the Honorary Consul of India started operations in Djibouti, even before the nation gained its independence in 1977. In 2004, Djibouti opened its embassy in New Delhi, and in 2019, India opened its resident mission in Djibouti, demonstrating the rising significance of the two countries’ relationship.

In addition to commerce and diplomacy, the two countries have shown crucial collaboration during emergencies. Operation Rahat in April 2015, when Djibouti gave outstanding assistance in evacuating Indian citizens and others from war-torn Yemen, is one noteworthy example. The two countries’ mutual trust and support, which continue to influence their diplomatic and strategic agendas, were emphasized by this gesture of solidarity. In March 2019, Ismail Omar Guelleh, the president of Djibouti, received India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in appreciation of his contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

Significant rise has also been seen in India’s bilateral trade with Djibouti. India’s exports accounted for USD 347.06 million of the USD 367.23 million in trade volume between the two nations in the fiscal year 2020–21. Rice, engineering products, fruits, vegetables, equipment, metals, and food items were among the main exports.

India increased its exports to Djibouti by 117% between April 2021 and January 2022, reaching USD 619.03 million. During the same time period, Djibouti’s imports increased by 133% to USD 34.57 million, underscoring the two countries’ growing economic partnership.