Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana—the first by an Indian leader in over three decades—aims to reignite a historic relationship rooted in post-independence solidarity. Ties between the two nations trace back to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, and Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. Both leaders were co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of nations that were formally neutral during the Cold War. While the Non-Aligned Movement’s influence has declined, its legacy endures through Global South cooperation across energy, defense, technology, and trade. With over 700 Indian-backed projects in Ghana and bilateral trade nearing $3.3 billion, New Delhi remains a key economic ally to Accra. As Modi positions India as a “smart influencer” in Africa—balancing soft power with strategic investment—Ghana is emerging as India’s gateway to West Africa.
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