M. Keivom, currently serving as a Director in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti, according to an official press release from the MEA. He is set to assume his new role soon, signifying a continued effort to bolster India-Djibouti relations.
Keivom’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as ties between India and Djibouti deepen. Historical and cultural connections between the two nations predate their respective independences, with Indian seafarers and traders from Gujarat and Kerala historically frequenting Djibouti’s port of Adulis. These early exchanges, involving commodities like spices, silk, gold, and ivory, laid the groundwork for enduring diplomatic relations.
Formal diplomatic ties began in 1969 when India established an Honorary Consul in Djibouti, even before the latter’s independence in 1977. Djibouti reciprocated by opening its embassy in New Delhi in 2004, and India strengthened the relationship further by establishing a resident mission in Djibouti in 2019, underscoring the growing significance of their bilateral partnership.
The relationship between the two nations extends beyond trade and diplomacy, highlighted by collaboration during crises. A notable instance was *Operation Rahat* in April 2015, during which Djibouti offered critical support in evacuating Indian nationals and others from conflict-ridden Yemen. This solidarity underscored the mutual trust and cooperation shaping their strategic priorities. Reflecting this strong bond, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh was awarded India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in March 2019, recognizing his contributions to bilateral ties.
Trade between India and Djibouti has also seen significant growth. In the 2020-21 financial year, bilateral trade reached USD 367.23 million, with India exporting goods worth USD 347.06 million. Key exports included rice, engineering goods, fruits, vegetables, machinery, metals, and food products.
This upward trajectory continued between April 2021 and January 2022, as India’s exports to Djibouti surged by 117% to USD 619.03 million. Imports from Djibouti rose by 133% to USD 34.57 million during the same period, reflecting the robust economic partnership between the two nations.
Keivom’s new role is expected to further enhance these multifaceted ties, fostering greater collaboration in trade, diplomacy, and strategic cooperation.
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