This article covers cultural exchanges, education and training, traditional medicine and the Indian community in The Gambia, as described in the MEA bilateral brief of April 2026. It also gives the contact details of the High Commission of The Gambia in New Delhi, its head of mission and The Gambia's national day, taken from the MEA Protocol Division register, read on 24 September 2026.

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, at India's request, wrote an anthology on "What Gandhi Means to me" as part of the celebrations of the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Cultural exchanges recorded in the brief include:

  • The ICCR Bollywood troupe Dance Smith gave two performances in Banjul in January-February 2020.
  • A 19-member cultural troupe from The Gambia took part in the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela from 3-18 February 2024.
  • A 17-member cultural troupe from The Gambia took part in the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Mela from 31 January to 15 February 2026.

Five young political leaders from different political parties took part in the 10th batch of the Gen-Next Democracy Program organised by ICCR from 15-24 May 2023.

Education and training

The Gambia benefits from capacity development programmes such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and the Africa Scholarship Scheme of the ICCR. It signed an MoU for participation in the e-VBAB Network Project in March 2020, and since then 302 scholarships have been awarded to Gambian students for online UG, PG and diploma courses under e-VBAB.

During the visit of Foreign Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara to India in March 2019, an MoU with FSI on Foreign Service training was signed. Prof Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education of The Gambia, took part in the Education Session of the Voice of Global South Summit, held virtually on 13 January 2023.

Traditional medicine

During President Ram Nath Kovind's State Visit in 2019, the two sides signed an MoU for cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and traditional system of medicine and homeopathy.

The Indian community

As of April 2026, the approximate number of Indian nationals in The Gambia is 1600. According to the brief, they are mostly engaged in trading and private businesses, including in the construction sector.

High Commission of The Gambia in New Delhi

The Gambia's resident High Commission in New Delhi was inaugurated in February 2009. The register gives the following details for the High Commission of the Republic of the Gambia:

  • Address: B-3/24, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110057
  • Telephone: +91-11-42445364
  • Email: gambiahcdelhi@outlook.com

The register lists no website for the High Commission. As of 24 September 2026, it lists the head of mission as H.E. Mr. Mustapha Jawara, High Commissioner. It lists no consulates or honorary consulates of The Gambia in India.

The Gambia's national day is 18 February (Independence Day).

Visas and consular matters

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the Indian Embassy in Dakar (Senegal) is concurrently accredited to The Gambia. A visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports was signed during the visit of Minister of State Shri V. Muraleedharan to The Gambia on 1-2 November 2021. The brief contains no other visa, consular or air connectivity information. Other travellers should check current visa and entry requirements with the High Commission of The Gambia in New Delhi before making plans or submitting applications.

Honorary consuls

Honorary consuls have limited powers and do not provide the full range of services of a High Commission. Visa, document and other consular requirements should always be confirmed with the High Commission of The Gambia in New Delhi.