Narendra Modi Becomes First Indian PM in 30 Years to Strengthen India-Ghana Ties Through Devotional Diplomacy

In a historic moment that blends diplomacy with culture and faith, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Ghana on July 2, 2025, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 30 years. The visit is part of a broader five-nation tour across Africa and Latin America aimed at enhancing India’s engagement with the Global South.

PM Modi was received at Kotoka International Airport in Accra with full ceremonial honors, including a Guard of Honour and a 21-gun salute. But what made the welcome truly special was the cultural and spiritual fervor that followed. As he exited the aircraft, he was greeted by young Ghanaian children chanting “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”—a symbolic moment that celebrated the fusion of Indian spirituality and African warmth.

Waving Indian flags and singing with devotion, the children created a powerful image of cultural connection. This moment wasn’t just ceremonial—it was spiritual, diplomatic, and deeply symbolic of India’s soft power and Hindu influence in West Africa, especially following the legacy of Swami Ghanananda Saraswati, Ghana’s first African Hindu monk.

PM Modi’s Grand Arrival: “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” at Kotoka Airport

The emotional tone of the welcome only intensified as Modi reached his hotel in Accra. Hundreds of Indian diaspora members and local supporters had gathered outside, waving flags and chanting “Modi-Modi,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Vande Mataram.”

To the beat of traditional Ghanaian drums, the crowd performed an energetic rendition of “Jai Ho” on traditional instruments, showcasing the melting pot of Indian and African cultures. One particularly touching moment came when PM Modi crouched to greet a small Ghanaian-Indian child, smiling warmly and acknowledging the multicultural emotion surrounding the event.

Inside the reception venue, local Ghanaian musicians performed both African folk tunes and Indian bhajans, giving the evening a uniquely Indo-African spiritual tone. It was a moment not just of diplomacy, but of heartfelt civilizational bonding.

Modi’s Ghana Mission—Energy Mega-Deals, First Ever PM Speech & South-South Power Play

Modi’s two-day visit (July 2–3) is packed with strategic intent. He is expected to meet with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to discuss enhanced collaboration in areas like energy, healthcare, infrastructure, security, trade, and capacity building. India, already a major development partner in Ghana, is looking to scale up its investment and human development footprint.

A key highlight of the trip will be Modi’s address to Ghana’s Parliament—the first by any Indian Prime Minister. This will serve as a powerful diplomatic statement, reinforcing shared values of democracy, pluralism, and south-south cooperation.

This Ghana leg is part of a broader foreign policy pivot toward the Global South, where India is asserting its leadership by building meaningful partnerships outside the West-dominated order. Ghana, with its growing economy and democratic stability, fits perfectly into India’s African strategy.