New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm congratulations to Azali Assoumani on his re-election as the President of Comoros. Expressing optimism, PM Modi conveyed his expectations for continued collaboration to fortify the partnership between India and Comoros, enhance the India-Africa relationship, and advance the ‘Vision Sagar’ initiative.
In a tweet, PM Modi wrote, “Heartiest congratulations @PR_AZALI on your re-election as the President of Comoros. Look forward to continuing to work together to further strengthen the India-Comoros partnership, India-Africa partnership, and ‘Vision Sagar.'”
Azali Assoumani, who also serves as the Chairperson of the African Union, secured his fourth term as Comoros President earlier this month. Despite opposition objections to the election results leading to clashes, the Comoros Supreme Court validated his re-election, as reported by Anadolu News Agency.
The ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) is India’s policy of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, first introduced by PM Modi on March 12, 2015.
Azali Assoumani, a former military officer who came to power in a 1999 coup, has now served two non-consecutive terms as president, from 2002 to 2006 and from 2016 to the present. A constitutional referendum in 2018 facilitated his re-election.
In December of the previous year, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi interacted with Azali Assoumani in Madagascar, conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s best wishes to strengthen the India-Africa partnership. Assoumani appreciated PM Modi’s efforts in advocating for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during the summit in New Delhi.
The African Union, consisting of 55 member states in Africa, had the proposal for its inclusion in the G20 introduced by PM Modi in June of the previous year.