This article covers the political relationship between India and The Gambia: the establishment of relations, visits in both directions, ministerial meetings and the institutional mechanisms. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026, and it describes relations as of that date.

Establishment of relations

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India established diplomatic relations with The Gambia in 1965, soon after The Gambia's independence from the United Kingdom. The former Deputy Minister for External Affairs, Shri Dinesh Singh, visited Banjul to take part in The Gambia's Independence celebrations on 6 February 1965. The brief describes the two countries as sharing warm and friendly relations.

The brief states that in the initial decades of The Gambia's independence, bilateral engagement was limited to capacity building and training programmes from the Indian side. It adds that in recent years, bilateral relations have witnessed greater engagement and momentum.

Visits from India

President Ram Nath Kovind paid the first ever State Visit to The Gambia from 30 July to 1 August 2019. During the visit, he reiterated India's commitment to support The Gambia's development.

Prime Minister Modi met President Barrow on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in April 2018.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan paid an official visit to The Gambia on 1-2 November 2021. During the visit, a Framework Agreement on cooperation, for the institutionalisation of Joint Commission Meetings, was signed.

Visits by Gambian Vice Presidents

The brief records the following visits to India led by Vice Presidents of The Gambia:

  • Vice President Ms. Isatou Njie-Saidy led a delegation to the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) in New Delhi from 26-29 October 2015.
  • Vice President Mr. Badara A. Joof led a 28-member delegation, including 4 Ministers (Finance, Health, Petroleum, and Public Service), to India from 18-23 July 2022 for the 17th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership, held in New Delhi on 19-20 July 2022.
  • Vice President Mr. Muhammad B.S. Jallow led a delegation of 5 Ministers (Trade & Industry, Petroleum & Energy, Communications & Digital Economy, Tourism & Culture, Transport works & Infrastructure) to the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership in New Delhi from 14-16 June 2023.
  • Vice President Jallow led a delegation of 3 Ministers (Trade & Industry, Tourism & Culture, Transport works & Infrastructure) to the 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi from 20-22 August 2024.

During his 2022 visit, Vice President Badara had a brief joint meeting with the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu. The Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan, and the Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Personnel Grievances (DARPG), Shri V. Srinivas, called on him and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Foreign ministers

Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, visited India from 7-12 March 2019. He met External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on 7 March 2019.

Dr. Tangara has since met Indian ministers on several occasions:

  • On 24 September 2022, he met External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and addressed the UNGA side event "India@75: Showcasing the India-UN Partnership in Action".
  • On 6 March 2023, Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Rajkumar Ranjan Singh met him on the sidelines of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries at Doha, Qatar.
  • On 17 November 2023, he took part in the Foreign Minister's Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit, held virtually.

Institutional mechanisms

The two countries signed a Protocol for Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in August 2010. The Agreement to form a bilateral Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was signed in November 2021.