Although thousands of Km separate Indian from Cameroon, the multi-cultural similarities of both countries, the rich endowment of natural and human resources, economic links and other bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation ties between both countries have continued to blossom, especially in recent years. While several high-level diplomatic and political figures from India have been to Cameroon, the same diplomatic visits by Cameroonian officials to India have been visible. In March 1983 President Paul Biya visited India to attend NAM Summit, which is India’s contribution to development in Africa.

The latest bilateral trade statistics during April-Dec 2010 show that India’s exports have grown by 69 per cent while imports have risen by 118 per cent. Bilateral trade has grown rapidly in recent years, but its full potential is yet to be attained. Pharmaceutical products, machinery and instruments and articles of iron and steel are main items of Indian exports. Pharmaceuticals accounts for about a third of total Indian exports. In the Auto sector, the Indian Bajaj Motorcycles were introduced in Cameroon in 2008. Main Indian imports are cotton, wood, and metafiles ores and metals. Speaking in an exclusive interview to Cameroon Tribune, the new Indian High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E. Mashesh Sachdev, who is resident in Abuja, Nigeria, and also serves as Indian Ambassador to the Republics of Benin and Chad, highlighted the growing nature of ties between Cameroon and India. Read the full interview below, which also focuses on lessons that can be learnt from India, especially in energy utilisation.