India Cabo Verde Relations for UPSC: Trade, Agreements & Strategic Partnership

Relations between India and Republic of Cabo Verde highlight their commitment to joint development and regional peace. Found in the West Africa / Africa (Atlantic Ocean archipelago), Republic of Cabo Verde contributes significantly to geopolitical stability and international security. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1977 (Diplomatic relations), India and Republic of Cabo Verde have cultivated a strong and evolving partnership. India and Republic of Cabo Verde keep a Indian Embassy Dakar (accredited), Honorary Consul in Praia, where each country’s embassy in the other capital ensures smooth diplomatic exchanges. The India-Republic of Cabo Verde relationship is of Atlantic location, SIDS cooperation, ECOWAS observer, with defense collaboration, economic partnerships, cultural interactions, and aligned global security priorities forming key components. 

• India and Republic of Cabo Verde work together in political dialogue, economic partnerships, development assistance, and cultural_exchanges such as defense, nuclear energy, trade, space exploration, oil and gas, cybersecurity, culture, and education. 
• To enhance mutual cooperation, India and Republic of Cabo Verde have formalized several agreements, particularly in the realm of General Cooperation Agreement (2009), Foreign Office Consultations (2009), Cultural Exchange Programme (2017), Exemption of Visa (Diplomatic/Official) (2023). 
• Available data shows that India and Republic of Cabo Verde maintain a trade volume of USD 311 million (2022-23), underscoring their growing trade relationship. 
• Pharmaceuticals, rice, vehicles, textiles, electrical machinery are some of India’s top exports to Republic of Cabo Verde, showing the depth of their commercial partnership. 
• India’s imports from Republic of Cabo Verde largely consist of Iron and steel scrap, hides and skins, showing consistent trade flows. 

India and Republic of Cabo Verde share growing partnerships in ITEC training, e-VBAB network, educational grants, supporting innovation and skill-building. In this article, key highlights include Bilateral Trade Volume, Top Exports and Imports, and Investment Flows with India Cabo Verde Relations, essential for a nuanced GS Paper 2 and PSIR answer. 

India Cabo Verde Relations Establishment of Diplomatic Ties

The diplomatic journey between India and Republic of Cabo Verde began with Post-independence establishment of ties, shared NAM outlook. India–Republic of Cabo Verde relations were marked by key high-level engagements such as Cabo Verdean PM (2009, 2015-IAFS), Indian MOS (2015, 2023). 

• Diplomatic ties between India and Republic of Cabo Verde have progressed via Early ties, recent strengthening through development cooperation.

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Strategic & Political Cooperation of India Cabo Verde Relations

The Atlantic location, SIDS cooperation, ECOWAS observer of the relationship between India and Republic of Cabo Verde is reflected in areas like defense collaboration, economic partnerships, cultural diplomacy, and shared security concerns on the global stage. 

• ITEC training for defense personnel, maritime security cooperation between India and Republic of Cabo Verde promotes regional security through joint exercises, strategic arms deals, and maritime partnerships. 
• With Shared concerns on maritime piracy and transnational crime, India and Republic of Cabo Verde counter threats by sharing intelligence and conducting coordinated safety operations. 
• Through e-VBAB project, potential for IT skills development, India and Republic of Cabo Verde have improved technological frameworks and strengthened cyber defense capabilities. 
• India’s participation in UN, AU, ECOWAS (observer), Lusophone countries (CPLP), SIDS enhances cooperation with Republic of Cabo Verde and supports collective solutions to global problems. 
• Renewable energy (solar), International Solar Alliance member plays a key role in India–Republic of Cabo Verde ties, facilitating joint ventures in both renewable and conventional energy sectors. 
• India and Republic of Cabo Verde have embarked on a path of collaboration in e-VBAB Network Project (tele-education, tele-medicine), emphasizing shared research, technology development, and space missions. 
• India and Republic of Cabo Verde have partnered in initiatives like Air Services Agreement under negotiation, visa exemption (diplomatic/official) to foster closer connectivity and boost tourism between the two nations. 
• Efforts like DTAA: Under negotiation have helped India and Republic of Cabo Verde establish stronger tax governance frameworks.

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Trade and Economic Overview of India Cabo Verde Relations

• Significant pacts covering areas like General Cooperation Agreement (2009), Foreign Office Consultations (2009), Cultural Exchange Programme (2017), Exemption of Visa (Diplomatic/Official) (2023) have been established between India and Republic of Cabo Verde to strengthen collaboration. 
• India and Republic of Cabo Verde maintain a trade volume of USD 311 million (2022-23), illustrating their growing economic partnership. 
• Investment flows encompass Negligible, potential in tourism, marine resources, backed by long-term investment commitments and joint collaborations. 
• Foreign Office Consultations, Joint Commission planned, typically held once or twice a year, focus on reviewing and strengthening the economic and trade partnerships. 
• To bolster economic progress, India and Republic of Cabo Verde have extended numerous USD 5 million (food processing, 2009), projects under grants aimed at strengthening their financial partnership. 
• During the reported period, Republic of Cabo Verde exported goods worth USD 451 million (2022-23) to India. 
• India supplies Pharmaceuticals, rice, vehicles, textiles, electrical machinery to Republic of Cabo Verde under their strong trade relations, boosting bilateral economic growth and cooperation. 

The recorded value of Indian exports to Republic of Cabo Verde is USD $443 million (2022-23). Indian companies operating in Republic of Cabo Verde include Few small trading enterprises, contributing to economic collaboration.

Socio-Cultural & Diaspora Engagement

India and Republic of Cabo Verde thrive from the positive influence of their diaspora, which significantly impacts Limited due to very small numbers. Through CEP (2017), ITEC alumni, cultural performances, students and artists from both countries get to share and learn new things. Educational ties between India and the other country are growing through ITEC, e-VBAB, ICCR scholarships, educational grants. 

• The cultural and economic bond between India and Republic of Cabo Verde is reinforced by the significant presence of the Indian-origin community. 
• By harnessing Development aid (grants, LoC), ITEC, e-VBAB, cultural diplomacy, India and Republic of Cabo Verde seek to reinforce their strategic strength and broaden their global influence.
• The relationship between India and Republic of Cabo Verde is robust, supported by Negligible that significantly contribute to economic growth.

India Cabo Verde Relations Recent Developments

Through Indian MOS V Muraleedharan (2023), Cabo Verdean FM (2023), India and Republic of Cabo Verde have strengthened bilateral cooperation across strategic and economic sectors. With Exemption of Visa (Diplomatic/Official Passports) (2023), both nations have either reaffirmed existing frameworks or initiated new areas of discussion. 

• e-VBAB network, projects under grant assistance underline key areas of engagement between India and Republic of Cabo Verde. 
• Efforts are ongoing to overcome Low trade volume, connectivity, limited awareness, which affect bilateral cooperation. 
• Both nations envision strong Renewable energy, blue economy, tourism, IT, capacity building in strategic, economic, and cultural domains.

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UPSC Relevance of India Cabo Verde Relations

• Key agreements, high-level visits, and organizations like SCO, BRICS, or UN involving Republic of Cabo Verde are often tested in the prelims.
• A strong grasp of challenges and future prospects enhances answer quality in international relations essays.
• This theme can be integrated into philosophical essays discussing global responsibility, cooperation, and equity.
• In PSIR, India–Republic of Cabo Verde relations directly relate to Paper 2 topics on Indias foreign policy and bilateral ties.