Monrovia – Liberia and India concluded a high-level one-day seminar in Monrovia, spotlighting the vital role of the Indian diaspora in fostering trade, investment, and development between the two nations.
Held at the Bella Casa Hotel, the event convened government officials from both countries, business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives. Their focus was on enhancing bilateral cooperation and leveraging the diaspora’s potential for sustainable economic growth.
Indian Ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, commended the Indian community for its significant contributions to Liberia’s economic and social progress. He noted that over the past five decades, the Indian diaspora has evolved from small-scale traders into a vibrant and influential community deeply integrated into the nation’s development.
“In Liberia, the Indian community has played a significant role across various sectors from trade and commerce to education, healthcare, and beyond,” Ambassador Verma stated. “Their entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness have left a lasting mark on Liberia’s economy.”
The Ambassador emphasized that the partnership between Liberia and India is rooted not only in diplomacy but also in shared democratic values, peace, and inclusive development. He highlighted India’s ongoing support through scholarship programs, skills training, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering Liberian youth and professionals. The seminar, he added, was crucial for formally recognizing and documenting the substantial, yet previously unstudied, impact of the Indian diaspora in Liberia’s development discourse.
Representing the Government of Liberia, Deputy Minister of Information for Administration, Johnny Tarkpah, expressed appreciation for India’s continued support, particularly in education and human resource development. He disclosed that over four thousand Liberian students are currently benefiting from quality education and training in India.
Minister Tarkpah also revealed a significant surge in bilateral trade, which reached $397 million between 2024 and 2025, a notable increase from the $240 million recorded in the previous year. He commended India’s supportive role in President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, specifically in improving Liberia’s economy and key development sectors.
Adding a critical perspective, former Commerce and Industry Minister Amin Modad urged the Indian Government to expand its focus beyond trade and begin making direct investments in core Liberian economic sectors. He specifically cited agriculture, mining, information technology, health, education, and infrastructure.
“India’s involvement in Liberia should now focus on long-term investments that create jobs and promote sustainable development,” Modad stressed. He called on both governments and their private sectors to build a strategic economic partnership to ensure mutual growth and shared prosperity.
The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by both nations to strengthen cooperation, utilizing the active engagement of the Indian diaspora to deepen trade, boost investment opportunities, and advance Liberia’s development agenda.