This article outlines the political relationship between India and the Republic of the Congo: India's diplomatic presence in Brazzaville, visits in both directions, meetings at summits and multilateral events, cooperation on climate and environment, and the bilateral agreements signed. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026.

Overview

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, relations between India and the Republic of the Congo (ROC) date back to the pre-independence era of the ROC, and the brief describes them as warm and friendly. The brief also states that the ROC has supported India's candidature at various international forums.

India opened its diplomatic Mission in Brazzaville, the capital of the ROC, in November 2019.

Visits from the Republic of the Congo

Presidential and ministerial visits to India recorded in the brief, other than those for business conclaves and defence events, are:

  • 1983: H.E. Mr Denis Sassou N'guesso, President of the Republic, attended the Non-Alignment Summit in New Delhi.
  • 1987: President Denis Sassou N'guesso, in his capacity as Chairman of the African Union, visited India for the Creation of the African Fund.
  • October 2005: Mr Rodolphe Adada, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Commerce, visited India.
  • July 2007: Mr Emile Ouosso, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, visited India at the invitation of the Railway Minister. As Chairman of the African Transport Ministers Group (53 countries), he mooted a proposal for holding a summit of African Transport Ministers in India.
  • October 2015: Mr Jean Claude Gakosso, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited India to attend the India-Africa Forum Summit.
  • January 2019: Thomas Nicephore Fylla De Saint Eudes, Minister of Technical and Vocational Education and Skills Training, visited India to attend the Global Summit, Africa Day in Gujarat.
  • October 2022: Mr Raymond Zephirin MBOULOU, Minister of Security and Public Order, headed the ROC delegation for the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly Session, held in New Delhi from 18-21 October 2022.

Voice of Global South Summits

Congolese ministers have taken part virtually in the Voice of Global South Summits convened by India:

  • 13 January 2023: Mr Denis Christel Sassou N'Guesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnership, participated in the 9th Session on G-20 (Foreign Minister's Session on G-20), which EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar chaired as part of the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), convened by India as Head of G-20.
  • 17 November 2023: Mr Emile OUOSSO, Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, participated in the Energy Minister's Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit 2023 (VoGSS 2023).

Visits from India

  • July 2015: Shri Manoj Sinha, MoS Railways, visited Brazzaville as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to hand over to President Denis Sassou N'guesso an invitation for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi.
  • March 2017: Shri M.J. Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Brazzaville. The brief describes this as the first bilateral visit by any Indian Minister to the ROC. He called on the President of the Republic of Congo and met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Congolese Abroad.
  • October 2023: Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, participated in the 2nd Three Basins Summit hosted by the Republic of Congo.
  • July 2024: Shri P. Kumar, OSE (ER & DPA), represented Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India, at the First International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation (CIAR1), organised by the ROC in Brazzaville from 2-5 July 2024. He participated in the Ministerial Segment on 4 July and the Summit of Heads of State and Government on 5 July.

International Solar Alliance

In February 2023, the Republic of Congo joined the International Solar Alliance by signing the ISA Framework Agreement through its Ambassador in New Delhi.

Agreements

The brief lists the following bilateral instruments as signed:

  • Agreement on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
  • A Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations

The brief does not give the dates on which they were signed.