India, Ghana deepen security, economic ties as Modi visits

Resource-rich Ghana, seen as a beacon of democratic stability in Africa, is Modi's first stop in a tour that will take the Indian premier to four other countries in Africa, the Caribbean and South America.

The visit comes as the Asian nation competes with China and Russia for economic influence in Africa.

"We will increase our cooperation in areas such as the training of armed forces, maritime security, defence supply and cybersecurity," Modi said at a joint news conference with Mahama.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues, including the Sahel, where jihadists have recently intensified offensives in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

"We have decided to strengthen our mutual cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism," Modi said.

India, the world's most populous country and a nuclear armed power, has close ties with Russia but is often in rivalry with China -- two powers vying for more influence in Africa.

Modi, who praised Ghana's role in regional blocs including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, said "it is a matter of pride for Ghana" that the AU obtained permanent membership of the G20 during India's G20 presidency.

India held the annually rotating presidency of the G20 in 2023 and used the group's summit to position India as a representative of countries outside traditional power blocs.

- Theatre of competition -

Africa has become a theatre of competition between the United States, former European colonial powers such as France, as well as Russia and China.

Mahama, who has been in office for just six months, said his government will "leverage on its relationship with like-minded countries such as India to achieve our set objectives".

"Both countries will work to deepen economic and investment relations at a time that Ghana is undergoing economic restructuring due to the debt treatments we are undergoing and the IMF programme," said Mahama.

India is one of Ghana's main trading partners and is the leading destination for Ghanaian exports, primarily due to Indian gold imports.

According to the Indian foreign ministry, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $3.1 billion in 2024–2025.

Modi pledged Indian companies' support in the exploration and mining of "critical minerals".

Ghana's main exports to India include gold, cocoa, cashew nuts and timber, while India exports pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery, transport vehicles, electrical equipment, plastics, iron and steel and alcoholic beverages.

The leaders also discussed cooperation in vaccine production.

A military guard, as well as traditional Ghanaian drummers and dancers performing in colourful kente outfits, welcomed Modi at the airport.

Modi will remain in Accra until Thursday, before flying to Trinidad and Tobago, and then on to Argentina and Brazil to attend a summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies in Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and 7.

Before returning to India, he will also stop in Namibia, a southern Africa country which in March elected its first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

The last time an Indian prime minister visited Ghana was in 1995.

Modi also met members of Ghana's 15,000-strong Indian community, some of whom have been in the country since its independence nearly 70 years ago.

ALSO READ