NEW DELHI: The Somali Ambassador to India, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, has met with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ambassador Mahishini Colonne, at the Sri Lankan Embassy in New Delhi. Odowa is concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka and conveyed his gratitude for the welcoming reception during his recent visit to Colombo, where he presented his credentials to the Sri Lankan President. Both representatives discussed ways to bolster diplomatic ties between their nations, with special attention to cooperation in diplomacy, commerce, education, and future collaborative development initiatives.
Somalia’s Expanding Diplomatic Engagement in India
Ambassador Odowa has been actively strengthening Somalia’s presence in the region since presenting his credentials to Indian President Droupadi Murmu in February 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he reaffirmed the commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across trade, development, and diplomacy. “Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various areas, highlighting the importance of enhancing ties between Somalia and India,” according to an official readout of the meeting. This milestone reflected a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation in trade, education, health, and regional security.
His diplomatic efforts have included high-level advocacy, such as his recent visit to Mumbai, where he attended the first hearing of 44 Somali citizens detained by the Indian Navy. “Ambassador Odawa has been on an official working visit to Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra over the past few days. A critical focus of his diplomatic trip was visiting 44 Somali citizens currently held in prison after being apprehended by the Indian Navy during operations in the Indian Ocean,” the Somali ambassador’s consular advocacy has helped expedite the legal process for detained nationals.
In January 2026, Ambassador Odowa formally received Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, upon his arrival in New Delhi for the Arab-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The delegation was received by Somalia’s Ambassador to India, H.E. Abdullahi Mohamed Odowaa, alongside senior diplomats from the Somali Embassy. The visit highlighted Somalia’s strategic aim to enhance diplomatic relations with key Asian economies through the framework of the Arab League.
India’s Strategic Partnership with Somalia
The meeting with the Sri Lankan ambassador comes at a time when India has been steadily deepening its engagement with Somalia. In June 2025, India announced it would open a visa facilitation center in Mogadishu, eliminating the need for Somalis to travel to Nairobi or Addis Ababa for visa applications. “This step reflects India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Somalia and supporting people-to-people connections,” said Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary of India’s Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs division. The move is expected to significantly ease access for Somali students and medical travelers.
High-level diplomatic dialogue has continued to advance the bilateral relationship. In October 2025, Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, hosted the Indian High Commissioner in Nairobi for talks centered on expanding partnerships in trade, education, healthcare, and institutional capacity building. “Ambassador Abdulle highlighted the importance of deepening people-to-people ties and broadening collaboration in areas that directly impact livelihoods and governance. He noted that Somalia values India’s continued engagement and technical expertise, particularly in advancing education and health systems that support sustainable development.”
India has also consistently supported Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on international platforms. In January 2026, the Indian government formally declared its opposition to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reiterating its support for Somalia’s unity. “We reaffirm the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. India also refuted viral social media allegations of holding official talks with Somaliland’s leadership, dismissing the claims as false.
Sri Lanka’s Growing Connection to Somalia
For Sri Lanka, the meeting with Ambassador Odowa continues to build on nascent but promising ties with Somalia. In February 2026, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) established a direct route connecting Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Mogadishu. This development enhances Mogadishu Port’s status from a final destination for imports to a regional transfer center, solidifying Somalia’s position on vital Indian Ocean trade pathways. The new service has already begun reshaping maritime commerce, with port officials crediting the operational success to administrative reforms and swifter cargo processing.
On the diplomatic front, Somalia welcomed Sri Lanka’s new ambassador, K. Theshatha, who presented her credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia in March 2024. Theshatha was among four new ambassadors received by President Mohamud, along with representatives from Turkey, South Korea, and the Philippines. The formal exchange of ambassadors signals a mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations between Mogadishu and Colombo.
The meeting between Ambassador Odowa and Ambassador Colonne in New Delhi reflects a shared commitment to expanding the partnership between Somalia and Sri Lanka. The two envoys discussed potential areas of collaboration, including diplomatic exchanges, trade facilitation, educational scholarships, and joint development projects. The Somali government has indicated that it looks forward to deepening ties with Sri Lanka, recognizing the potential for mutual benefit as both nations continue their respective post-conflict recovery and development trajectories.
