This article covers the historical ties between India and Somalia, the establishment of diplomatic relations, early leadership visits, and the political and ministerial engagements recorded in recent years, including visits by Somali ministers for sectoral events in India. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brief of March 2026.

Historical ties

According to the MEA brief of March 2026, relations between India and Somalia are age old. The brief traces a strong connect to traders who sailed through the Indian Ocean to buy and sell goods in the Horn of Africa.

Diplomatic relations and early visits

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1960. The brief states that early high-level exchanges laid the foundation of India-Somalia relations, with leadership-level visits taking place soon after Somalia's independence, and describes these as reflecting close political understanding between the two countries.

Prime Minister of Somalia Dr. Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke visited India in 1963. Dr. Sharmarke visited India again in 1968, as President of Somalia.

Recent political engagement

The brief describes high-level engagements between India and Somalia as regular, reflecting continued political interaction and cooperation across multilateral and bilateral platforms. It records these recent meetings:

  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Foreign Ministers of Somalia on the sidelines of the UNGA High-Level Week in September 2024 and September 2025.
  • Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar in October 2025, on the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial Meeting.
  • State Minister for Energy and Water Resources Mohamed Abdullahi Farah participated in the Voice of Global South Summit in August 2024.
  • Minister of Health Ali Haji Adam Abubakar participated in the Voice of Global South Summit in November 2023.

Earlier high-level visits

The brief lists the following earlier high-level visits and meetings:

  • July 2015: Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh visited Somalia as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister.
  • October 2015: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit.
  • July-August 2017: Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Garaad Omar visited India.
  • November 2019: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre.

Ministerial visits for sectoral events

Somali ministers have also visited India for international events in energy, water, communications, health and defence:

  • March 2018: Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid visited India for the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance.
  • 2020: Defence Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed Amardambe attended DefExpo India.
  • April 2023: Minister of Health Ali Haji Adam Abubakar participated in Advantage Healthcare India.
  • August 2023: Deputy Minister of Health Mohamed Hassan Bullale visited India for Advantage Healthcare India.
  • September 2024: Minister for Energy and Water Resources Abdilahi Bidhan visited India for India Water Week.
  • October 2024: State Minister for Communications and Technology Ahmed Osman Dirie visited India for WTSA.
  • November 2024 and October 2025: State Minister for Energy and Water Resources Mohamed Abdullahi Farah participated in the ISA Assembly.