This article covers India's development partnership with Chad and the links between the two peoples: Lines of Credit, humanitarian assistance, ITEC training, defence contacts, ICCR scholarships and Hindi study, cultural events, and the Indian community in Chad. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of April 2026.

Lines of Credit

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the Government of India has extended three Lines of Credit (LoC) to Chad under its development partnership initiative:

  • US$ 50 million: extended through EXIM Bank to finance a cotton yarn plant, a bicycle plant, industrial transport equipment and a rolling plant, agro-processing plants for tomato and mango, and irrigation equipment. The agreement was signed on August 29, 2005 and became effective on September 27, 2005. The LoC has been fully disbursed and the projects completed.
  • US$ 15.9 million: extended through EXIM Bank to finance the "Extension of Spinning Mill", adding weaving and processing capacity. The contract was awarded in May 2014, the LoC has been disbursed, and the project was inaugurated in November 2020.
  • US$ 6.12 million: a new LoC capitalising all interest, penal interest and commitment fee overdues under the two earlier LoCs, together with future interest and other dues falling due under the US$ 50 million LoC till June 2020 and under the US$ 15.90 million LoC till December 23, 2023.

Humanitarian assistance

The Government of India donated 5,000 metric tons of rice to Chad in 2004. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India donated a 6 tons consignment of essential medicines, including HCQS and antibiotics, in July 2020.

After a fire broke out in June 2024 at the military ammunition depot in Chad's capital, India sent approximately 2300 kg of essential life-saving antibiotics and general medicines for the victims. The Ambassador of India handed over the consignment to the Chadian Minister of Health in N'Djamena on 26 September 2024.

Training under ITEC

The brief states that Chad's use of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) slots has increased since the Indian Mission was established in N'Djamena. ITEC slots were increased to 40 for 2025-26, from 15 slots in 2024-25.

Earlier training recorded in the brief:

  • In 2018-19, for the first time, 15 Chadian public servants were trained in India under a Special ITEC Course on English Language Proficiency at EFLU, Hyderabad. In the same year, Chad used 19 of the 20 civilian short-term ITEC training programmes offered.
  • In 2019-20, Chad used 3 slots under the IAFS-III training programmes.
  • In 2023-24, 3 Foreign Ministry officials took ITEC training.

Defence contacts

A 4-member defence delegation led by the Chief of Staff visited India from 10-17 February 2025 to take part in AERO India 2025, at the invitation of India's Defence Minister. The delegation also visited Bangalore, Pune, Kanpur and Delhi.

Scholarships and Hindi study

ICCR scholarships for Chad have been increased to 35 for the academic year 2026-27, from 25 slots in 2025-26. Chad used 5 ICCR scholarships in 2019-20 and 8 in 2022-23, and 3 Chadians took up ICCR slots in 2023-24.

In the 2025-26 session, 6 Chadians joined the Kendriya Hindi Sansathan, Agra, for a year-long Hindi language course. In 2022-23, 3 Chadians were selected for year-long Hindi classes at the Central Institute of Hindi in Agra. The brief states that over 25 Chadians have studied Hindi at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan in Agra.

Chadians trained in Hindi formed the "Yarana Association", which promotes the Hindi language through weekly classes and Indian culture through the celebration of Indian festivals.

Cultural events

A 6-member ICCR Odissi dance group from Kaishiki Dance Academy performed in N'Djamena in January 2020, in the presence of the Chadian Minister of Culture and the Minister of Youth promotion. As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), the Indian Mission organised a cultural event, "Namaste India", in July 2023.

The Mission organised the International Day of Yoga (IDY) in N'Djamena for the first time in 2023, at the Cultural Palace, with 200 Chadians and Indians taking part. The brief records three IDY events so far, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, with participation by Chadians, Indians and officials of international organisations in Chad.

On 28 September 2025, the Mission organised the Viksit Bharat Run 2025 at La Place De La Nation in N'Djamena, with 30-40 participants and representatives of Chad's Ministry of Sport.

The Indian community in Chad

As of the brief, there are about 250 Indians and 45 Indian companies in Chad. They work mostly in oil projects, international organisations and missionary work, and many are engaged in trade.