This article covers the political relationship between India and Djibouti: its historical background, Djibouti's support during Operation Rahat, the Padma Vibhushan conferred on President Ismail Omar Guelleh, visits in both directions and the agreements signed during them. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026.

Historical background

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, historical linkages, cultural affinities and people-to-people contact between Djibouti and India date back to before India's independence in 1947 and Djibouti's independence in 1977.

Operation Rahat, 2015

The brief states that Djibouti extended "extraordinary support" during Operation Rahat in April 2015, in the evacuation of Indians and other nationals from war-torn Yemen. General (Retd.) V.K. Singh, then MOS (EA), led Operation Rahat from Djibouti.

In July 2015, General Singh visited Djibouti again as the special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to invite the President of Djibouti personally to the IAFS-III Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015.

Padma Vibhushan for President Guelleh

The Government of India conferred its second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, on the President of the Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, in March 2019.

Visits from India

The then President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, paid a State visit to Djibouti from 3-4 October 2017. The brief describes it as the first-ever visit at the level of HOS/HOG from India to Djibouti, and states that it gave an impetus to bilateral relations. Issues discussed included:

  • terrorism
  • renewable energy
  • maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region
  • technical and capacity building assistance by India to enhance employment opportunities for Djibouti's youth
  • cooperation in multilateral fora

The two countries also signed an MoU on Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) during the visit.

A delegation led by Dr. B. Balabhaskar, Joint Secretary (WANA), visited Djibouti from 18-20 December 2016 to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations.

Shri V. Muraleedharan, MOS (VM), visited Djibouti on 21-22 September 2022, accompanied by Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, JS(WANA). He called on Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed and held bilateral discussions with the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Two agreements were signed during the visit:

  • Cooperation between SSIFS and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Djibouti
  • Mutual exemption from visa requirement for Diplomatic and Official/Service Passport holders

Visits from Djibouti

President Ismail Omar Guelleh (IOG) visited India three times, in 2003, 2015 and 2018:

  • During his visit from 18-23 May 2003, he was accompanied by a large delegation that included Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Minister of National Defense, Minister of National Education, Minister of Equipment and Transport, and several Djiboutian businesspersons.
  • In October 2015, he led a 30-member delegation to New Delhi to attend the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS III).
  • He led a high level delegation to the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), held in New Delhi on 11 March 2018.

On 31 January 2026, Mr. Ahmed Ali Barreh, Ambassador of Djibouti to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, represented Djibouti at the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi. He also attended a joint call by Heads of Delegation on the Prime Minister during the visit.

Voice of the Global South Summits

Djibouti took part in the Voice of the Global South Summits, which India organised as the Chair of G-20. Finance Minister Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh participated in and addressed the virtual Session on Finance of the 'Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS 1.0)' on 12 January 2023. Foreign Minister Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf participated in the virtual Session of Foreign Ministers of VOGSS 2.0 on 17 November 2023.