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India and Benin hold talks in Porto-Novo on defence, health and agriculture
Why in News?
Two capitals, one country: why Benin's Porto-Novo is not Cotonou, and what GS-II India-Africa questions test
India and Benin agree to deepen cooperation in defence, health, agriculture and trade.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
India and Benin have held high-level talks in Porto-Novo to strengthen cooperation in defence, health, agriculture and economic sectors.
Benin is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea; Porto-Novo is its official capital while Cotonou is the seat of government and largest city.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- India and Benin held high-level talks in Porto-Novo on defence, health, agriculture and trade.
- Benin is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea.
- Porto-Novo is Benin's official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government and largest city.
- The engagement forms part of India's wider Africa outreach (GS-II: India and Africa).
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin, while Cotonou is the seat of government and its largest city.
- Benin is located in West Africa and has a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea.
- India's bilateral engagement with Benin covers defence, health, agriculture and economic cooperation.
Mains
GS-II (International Relations): India's Africa outreach is shifting from aid-led ties to partnerships in defence, health, agriculture and trade. Engagement with smaller West African states supports India's Global South leadership, diversifies supply chains and counters rival influence in the region. The way forward is sustained high-level visits, lines of credit with timely delivery, capacity-building and development partnerships aligned with African priorities.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Porto-Novo, where India and Benin held talks, is the official capital of which West African country?
- Togo
- Ghana
- Benin
- Nigeria
Show answer
Answer: C — The correct answer is Benin. Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin.
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