An all-party delegation of Indian parliamentarians, led by Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, as part of India’s global outreach and diplomatic engagement programme. The four-member delegation was warmly received by Baisnab Charan Pradhan, India’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone.
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian High Commission in South Africa stated, “Pursuing India’s renewed commitment to counterterrorism and regional stability, an all-party delegation led by @DrSEShinde arrived at Freetown.”
The delegation had earlier made a brief transit stop in Lome, Togo, where discussions were held on issues including Pakistan-based terrorism and Operation Sindoor, which is part of India’s broader counter-terrorism efforts.
India’s former Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sujan Chinoy, who is also part of the delegation, emphasized the growing development and trade ties between India and Sierra Leone. “Our bilateral relations are strong and expanding. We established our embassy in Sierra Leone in 2020, but our diplomatic ties date back to 1961,” said Chinoy in an interview with ANI. He highlighted that Sierra Leone, currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, holds strategic significance for India.
Chinoy also pointed to Sierra Leone’s rich mineral resources as an area of potential collaboration, especially for Indian mining companies. He noted that India has extended approximately USD 250 million in lines of credit to Sierra Leone, along with a robust capacity-building partnership through ITEC programmes and ICCR scholarships.
Alongside Shinde and Chinoy, the delegation includes BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Mohammed Basheer, and Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra.
The purpose of the visit is to engage with Sierra Leonean leadership, present India’s position on the recent April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, and promote the nation’s unwavering stance against cross-border terrorism. The mission also seeks to counter global misinformation and reinforce India’s commitment to regional and international peace and stability.
This multi-party initiative, consisting of seven delegations each led by a Member of Parliament, is a coordinated effort to strengthen India’s global diplomatic footprint while addressing critical security concerns.
