International Outreach

Burkina Faso maintains diplomatic relations with many countries and takes part in several regional and international organisations. The Embassy in New Delhi relays this action towards India and the other States within its jurisdiction: it represents the country, defends its interests, facilitates exchanges and makes Burkina Faso better known.

In this section

• The Embassy's role: accreditation, representation, advocacy, jurisdiction.
• Multilateralism: United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS and AES, Francophonie, Global South.
• The relationship with India: South-South cooperation, India-Africa summits, training and scholarship programmes.
• Culture, economy and image: cultural and economic diplomacy, promoting the country.

This page sets out general orientations. For services to citizens, see the practical information on living in India.

Accreditation and representation

The ambassador is accredited by the Head of State of Burkina Faso to the Head of State of the host country. The ambassador leads the diplomatic mission, which officially represents Burkina Faso, maintains dialogue with the host authorities and takes part in official ceremonies and meetings. These relations are conducted within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Advocacy and defence of interests

The Embassy carries Burkina Faso's voice to the ministries, institutions, universities, companies and media of the host country. It explains national priorities, corrects inaccurate information and advocates for partnerships that serve the country's development.

Monitoring and reporting

It follows political, economic and scientific developments in the host country and reports to the authorities in Ouagadougou, to inform decisions and identify opportunities for cooperation.

A jurisdiction that goes beyond India

Like many missions, the Embassy in New Delhi may also be accredited to other States of the region, known as concurrent accreditation. It then ensures Burkina Faso's representation there, in liaison with the local authorities, without being permanently based in those countries. The exact list of countries concerned is specified by the Embassy.

Serving Burkinabè nationals

Protecting nationals and providing consular services are part of the Embassy's role: consular registration, documents, assistance in an emergency. See Living in India.

Burkina Faso places its external action within a multilateral framework: it defends peace, security, development and the sovereignty of peoples in the regional and international forums of which it is a member. The country's precise situation within each organisation depends on the decisions of those organisations and of the Government.

United Nations

A member of the United Nations, Burkina Faso takes part in its work on peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and humanitarian action. Several agencies of the UN system are present in New Delhi and in the region.

African Union

The African Union is the continental framework for integration and cooperation between African States. It is also India's interlocutor in the India-Africa summits and in dialogue with the continent.

West Africa: ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States

Burkina Faso belongs to both the West African and the Sahelian regions. It has always defended regional integration, free movement and collective security, and it now takes part in Sahelian cooperation frameworks, including the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), while maintaining dialogue with its neighbours.

Francophonie

The International Organisation of La Francophonie brings together countries united by the use of French and by values of cooperation, education and cultural diversity. In India, it finds an echo in the teaching of French and in university exchanges.

Non-Aligned Movement and the Global South

Burkina Faso identifies with solidarity among countries of the South: respect for sovereignty, non-interference, fair cooperation and a reform of global governance to make it more representative. India and Burkina Faso share this outlook, which feeds their dialogue.

The status of each organisation is to be confirmed by the Embassy before final publication.

South-South cooperation

India and Burkina Faso are two countries of the South facing similar challenges: human development, agriculture, health, education, access to energy, digital technology. Their cooperation rests on sharing experience, capacity building and mutual respect, without any relationship of dominance.

India-Africa summits

India holds summits and meetings with African States, including the India-Africa Forum Summit, which set the broad orientations of cooperation: training, lines of credit, development projects, health, energy and agriculture. Burkina Faso follows these meetings and promotes its priorities within this framework.

Training and scholarships

• ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation): an Indian Government programme offering short and medium-term training to professionals from partner countries.
• ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations): an Indian body that offers, among other things, study scholarships to foreign students.

Conditions, calendars and quotas are set by the Indian authorities and change: check the Embassy's announcements and the official websites. For studies, see the Studying in India page.

Areas of dialogue

Exchanges cover in particular education and research, health and medicines, agriculture, information technology, renewable energy and trade. The Embassy facilitates contacts between institutions, companies and universities in both countries.

Cultural diplomacy

Culture is a common language. The Embassy promotes Burkinabè creation, whether cinema, music, crafts, textiles or performing arts, drawing on festivals, exhibitions and university meetings, and on the Burkinabè community in India. Exchanges between students, artists and researchers contribute to a lasting dialogue between peoples.

Economic diplomacy

The Embassy encourages contacts between companies, chambers of commerce, investors and institutions in both countries, informs Indian operators about opportunities in Burkina Faso (agriculture, mining, energy, health, digital) and directs Burkinabè operators to potential partners. See Trade and investment.

Promoting the country's image

• Presenting a fair and complete picture of Burkina Faso: its history, cultures, young people, entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.
• Responding to requests for information from the media, universities and the public.
• Relying on the Burkinabè diaspora and students, who are the country's first ambassadors.
• Relaying the country's events and initiatives through the announcements and the Embassy's official channels.

Contact

To propose an event, an exhibition or a cultural or economic partnership, write to the Embassy presenting your project.