Monrovia, Liberia – July 8, 2026: The Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA), popularly known as the National Archives, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of India near Monrovia as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance archival and library services across Liberia.
The nine-member delegation was led by the Director General of CNDRA, Hon. Nelson Bearngar, accompanied by the Deputy Director General, Gabriel Domah, and other senior officials of the Agency.
Speaking during the engagement, Director General Bearngar said the visit underscored the Agency’s commitment to deepening its longstanding partnership with the Embassy of India while exploring new avenues for technical cooperation and institutional development.
He emphasized that the National Archives is not seeking direct financial assistance but rather technical and logistical support to strengthen its institutional capacity and improve service delivery.
“We do not need physical cash, but we need technical and logistical opportunities from you,” Director General Bearngar stated.
The Director General outlined several priority areas for collaboration, including staff capacity building through short- and long-term scholarship opportunities, cultural exchange initiatives, digitization of archival records, and technical and infrastructural support for the establishment of libraries in counties across Liberia.
As part of the Agency’s long-term vision, Director General Bearngar also proposed a partnership with a university in India to introduce Archival and Library Science as an academic discipline at the University of Liberia, noting that such an initiative would contribute significantly to the development of a new generation of professional archivists and librarians.
He further expressed appreciation to the Government and people of India for establishing the India Corner at the National Public Library in Monrovia and commended the excellent partnership between the Embassy and the National Archives.
Director General Bearngar disclosed that the Indian Ambassador would be officially invited to visit the National Archives headquarters and selected county offices to gain firsthand knowledge of the Agency’s operations, achievements, and challenges.
Additionally, he highlighted the transportation challenges confronting the Agency, noting that its only staff bus is currently out of service, and appealed for possible assistance to improve staff mobility and operational efficiency.
In response, His Excellency Manoj Bihari Verma, Ambassador of India to Liberia, welcomed the National Archives delegation and reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the Agency.
Ambassador Verma encouraged the National Archives to fully utilize the Government of India’s scholarship and professional training opportunities by applying through the available online portal for both short- and long-term certificate and degree programs.
He also assured the delegation of the Embassy’s continued support to the India Corner recently established at the National Public Library.
While noting that major development initiatives are generally coordinated through Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Verma emphasized that several areas of cooperation could be pursued directly between the Embassy and the National Archives for the mutual benefit of both institutions.
The Ambassador thanked the delegation for the courtesy visit and expressed confidence that the partnership between the Embassy of India and the National Archives would continue to grow and produce meaningful results in preserving Liberia’s documentary heritage and promoting knowledge exchange
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