Tuesday January 7, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali Foreign Minister and International Cooperation Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met with a delegation from the Indian High Commission in Nairobi to finalize plans for establishing a visa facilitation centre in Mogadishu.
The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that the meeting, attended by Said Jama Mire, Director of the Asia and Australia Department, marked another step in ongoing discussions to simplify the visa application process for Somali citizens.
The proposed facility addresses the growing demand for travel to India, particularly for medical purposes, by eliminating the need for Somalis to seek visa services in neighboring countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. This development is expected to reduce travel costs and processing delays significantly.
"The Somali government is committed to easing the travel burden for Somali citizens seeking medical care in India," Minister Fiqi stated.
The centre is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Somalia and India while fostering greater cooperation in areas such as healthcare and trade. Thousands of Somalis currently face long waits and logistical challenges when applying for Indian visas, underscoring the strategic importance of the initiative.