This article covers India's development partnership with the Republic of the Congo, including lines of credit, grants and humanitarian assistance, training and scholarships, and contacts in defence and health, together with cultural activities and the Indian community in the Congo. Its source is the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026.

Lines of credit

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India has accorded the following Lines of Credit (LOC) to the ROC:

  • US$ 70 million for the Rural Electrification Project
  • US$ 89.9 million for the Development of an Urban Transportation System, in the capital city of Brazzaville and Pointe Noire
  • US$ 55 million for a Greenfield 600 TPD Rotary Kiln based Cement Plant Project

As of April 2026, the LoCs for the Rural Electrification Project and the Urban Transportation System have been closed.

Grants and humanitarian assistance

The Government of India (GOI) has provided the following grants and assistance:

  • 2010: GOI donated medicines worth US$ 2,00,000 to the Government of the ROC.
  • March 2012: GOI donated US$ 500,000 as humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the ordnance depot blast, which the brief says claimed many lives.
  • March 2020: GOI donated US$ 100,000 as humanitarian assistance for flood relief.
  • June 2020: GOI donated more than 6 tonnes of medical aid to the ROC to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tele-education, telemedicine and a VVIP connectivity node were also set up in Brazzaville under the Pan African e-Network Project.

Training and scholarships

Ten slots under ITEC have been allotted to the ROC during 2026-27. Two slots under the ICCR scholarship have been offered to the ROC for the year 2026-27.

Defence

  • February-March 2007: Maj. Gen Jacques Yvon Ndolou, Defense Minister of the Republic of Congo, visited India at the invitation of Raksha Mantri.
  • February 2023: Mr Charles Richard MONDJO, Minister of National Defence, headed the ROC delegation for the conclave of Defence Ministers, 2023 Edition, held on the sidelines of AERO INDIA 2023 in Bengaluru from 12-16 February 2023.
  • February 2025: a four-member delegation led by Brigadier General Ambroise MOPENDZA, Director General of Equipment, visited Bengaluru from 09-13 February 2025 to participate in "Aero India 2025" and "BRIDGE". It included Air Force Brigadier General Jean Baptiste Philippe TCHICAYA, Air Force Chief of Staff.

Health

Invited by Apollo Hospitals, Professor Jean-Rosaire Ibara, Minister of Health and Population, attended the 13th International Dialogue on Health in India from 30-31 January 2026, accompanied by senior Health Ministry officials. According to the brief, the event provided a platform for discussions on global health challenges and collaborative solutions.

Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Brazzaville

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on 02 October 2023, a street in Brazzaville was named Mahatma Gandhi Marg. The street is approximately 1 kilometre long.

Cultural activities

According to the brief, the Embassy of India in the ROC organised several events to mark the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the 70th anniversary of the Constitution of India, Hindi Pakhwada and International Yoga Day. Under the framework of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), it organised several activities, including the 'Walk for Health' event on 13 February 2022.

National Days and International Yoga Day are celebrated with participation from both the local community and the Indian diaspora.

On 28 January 2023, a Gujarati Folk dance troupe, KALAPATH SANSTHA from Bhavnagar (Gujarat), sponsored by ICCR, performed in Brazzaville. According to the brief, it was the first time in the history of the Republic of Congo that such a troupe had performed there. Members of the Diplomatic Corps, local Congolese and members of the Indian diaspora attended, and the Congo TV and the local print media ADIAC Congo covered the event.

Familiarisation visits for journalists

Under the familiarisation visit programme, foreign media persons are invited to India to gain insights into the country's media landscape, developments taking place in India, its culture and bilateral relations. Two Congolese journalists were part of this programme from 23-30 October 2024, on a visit fully sponsored by the Embassy of India. One journalist went to India for a familiarisation visit from 12-22 January 2026.

The Indian community

As of April 2026, there are approximately 1000 Indians based in the Republic of Congo, according to the brief. They are engaged mainly in the trade and service sector, including supermarket chains, electronic stores, tours and travels, restaurants and trading.

In May 2020, the Indian community in Brazzaville and the port city of Pointe Noire donated edible items worth US$100,000 to local authorities, to support vulnerable families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The items included rice, wheat flour, cooking oil, sugar and cereals.