The Indian government has sent 10  tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Somalia to show an act of solidarity with the crisis-hit African nation.

In an X post sharing details about the consignment sent to Africa, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote: "A consignment comprising of 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, which includes essential medicines, surgical items, hospital essentials and biomedical equipment has departed for Somalia."

India-Somalia relationship

As per the Indian Embassy in Kenya website, India and Somalia relations are age old, with strong connect established by traders who sailed through the Indian ocean to buy and sell goods in the Horn of Africa.

The connection still continues with presence of Indian business community in Somalia.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1960, a year after its independence.

The Commissioner of India to Mauritius was accredited as Ambassador of India to Somalia and presented Credentials in 1961.

 Later, a resident Mission was opened in Mogadishu.

After the outbreak of civil war in 1991, the Indian Embassy in Mogadishu was closed. High Commission of India, Nairobi is concurrently accredited to Somalia.

In the past few years, both countries have witnessed a number of high-level visits from both sides which have helped further strengthening the bilateral relations.