This article covers the relationship between India and Gabon: how the brief characterises it, visits at the level of President and Vice President, ministerial contacts, the agreements signed during those visits, cultural events and the Indian community living in Gabon. Because the brief is short, cultural and community links are covered here rather than in a separate article. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026.

How the brief describes the relationship

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India and Gabon "enjoy warm and friendly relations dating back to the pre-Independence era of Gabon". The brief states that the relationship is marked by cooperation in sectors including agriculture, mining, health, services trade and economic development.

Visits by the President of Gabon

President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon led a delegation to the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in October 2015. In his meeting with Prime Minister Modi during the visit, according to the brief, he described Gabon as a promising country in Africa and a gateway to that continent, and called for greater Indian investments. He also requested the opening of an Indian Mission in Libreville and a high-level visit from India.

Before the summit, Sh. Ram Shankar Katheria, MOS (HRD), visited Libreville on 16-17 September 2015 as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India and handed over the invitation to President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

In March 2018, President Ali Bongo Ondimba visited New Delhi for the International Solar Alliance (ISA) meeting and met the Prime Minister on the sidelines. The brief notes that Gabon was among the first countries to sign and ratify the ISA Agreement.

Visit of the Vice President of India, 2022

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, paid an official visit to Libreville from 30 May to 1 June 2022. He met the President (Ali Bongo Ondimba), the Prime Minister (Ms. Rose Christiane), the Foreign Minister (Mr. Michael Moussa Adamo) and the heads of the two Chambers of the Gabonese parliament. The brief states that the entire gamut of bilateral relations and global issues of mutual concern was discussed.

Two MOUs were signed during the visit: one on holding JCM, and one on cooperation between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Gabonese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Foreign Minister's visits in 2022

In October 2022, Gabon's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Michel Moussa ADAMO, visited Mumbai and Delhi. He participated in the UN Counter Terrorism Committee meeting hosted by India, and bilateral talks were held between EAM and the Foreign Minister of Gabon.

In December 2022, he visited New York for India's UNSC Presidency Signature events, which were chaired by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Other ministerial contacts

In December 2020, a virtual bilateral meeting was held between MOS V. Muraleedharan and the Foreign Minister of Gabon, Mr. Pacome Moubele Boubeya, who discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.

Gabon has also taken part online in the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS). In November 2023, H.E. Mays Mouissi, Minister of National Economy, represented the Foreign Minister at the Foreign Ministers' Session of the 2nd VoGSS. In August 2024, H.E. Hervé BIBA NZENGUE, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Petroleum, joined the Energy Vice-Ministers' Session through a recorded message.

The brief also records that Gabon joined the Commonwealth in June 2022, though it is a French speaking country.

Cultural events

On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day of India, a Gujarati Folk Dance Group, Kalapath, visited Libreville on January 31, 2023, after touring the DRC and the Republic of Congo. It performed before around 200 people from the Indian diaspora and local Gabonese authorities.

On 21 June 2025, the Indian High Commission organised the first official celebrations of the International Day of Yoga in Gabon, at La Baie Des Rois. Dignitaries from the Gabonese Government, diplomats, international organisations and the Indian diaspora took part, and around 100 persons participated.

The 79th Independence Day celebrations on 15 August 2025 and the 77th Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2026 each had around 200 participants. A mass singing of Vande Mataram was held at the Mission premises on the 77th Republic Day.

Gabon's first UNESCO intangible heritage listing

In December 2025, a four-member delegation from Gabon's Ministry of Culture, led by Mr. Owono Essono Germain, DDG, visited New Delhi to attend the 20th Session of the UNESCO Inter-Governmental Committee Meeting. At that meeting, 'The Mvett Oyeng', a musical instrument, became the first Gabonese cultural element inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Indian community in Gabon

As of the brief, there are around 1000-1200 Indians living in Gabon. Most are engaged in infrastructure projects, agriculture, trading, the export of timber and metal scrap, mining, and travel and tours. The brief states that the Indian community is welcomed in Gabon and held in high regard.