The United Diplomatic Council (UDC) convened a distinguished diplomatic and business gathering in Bengaluru, bringing together key stakeholders to advance bilateral cooperation between India and Chad. The closed-door engagement brought together prominent representatives from the Government of India, the SCO Trade Council, India Commonwealth Trade Council, India Africa Trade Council, and the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, along with business leaders, industry stakeholders, and members of the broader trade ecosystem, creating a dynamic platform for meaningful exchange and collaboration.
The event was graced by Her Excellency Ildjima Badda Mallot, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to India, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations and reinforcing India’s growing engagement across Africa.
Appointment of Dr. Bommanahalli Babu as Trade Commissioner
A key highlight of the gathering was the appointment of Dr. Bommanahalli Babu as the Honorary Trade Commissioner of the India Africa Trade Council. Dr. Babu, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of Attica Gold Company, is widely recognized for building one of South India’s leading gold-buying enterprises.
Under his leadership, Attica Gold Company has established a strong reputation for delivering transparent, efficient, and fair-value financial solutions, rooted in trust and ethical business practices. His approach—centered on financial accessibility and customer-centricity—demonstrates a deep understanding of evolving market dynamics, making it highly relevant for emerging economies.
Mr. Babu has also visited Chad and Guinea multiple times over the past four years, where he has actively explored gold mining opportunities for Indian investors, gaining valuable on-ground insights into the region’s resource potential and investment landscape.
Africa, with its abundant natural resources and rapidly expanding consumer base, presents significant opportunities across sectors such as gold trading, financial services, and value-driven lending models. As financial ecosystems across the continent continue to evolve, there is a growing demand for scalable, transparent, and trustworthy business frameworks—areas where Indian expertise can make a meaningful impact.
Sharing his perspective on the appointment, Dr. Bommanahalli Babu stated:
“Africa represents immense potential for sustainable and inclusive growth. There is a strong alignment between India’s entrepreneurial strengths and Africa’s emerging markets. I look forward to contributing towards building transparent, trust-driven business ecosystems and facilitating meaningful trade partnerships between India and Africa.”
As India continues to expand its strategic outreach across Africa, Chad is increasingly being recognized as a key partner in Central Africa. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade, facilitating cross-border investments, and identifying opportunities across sectors such as energy, agriculture and agro-processing, infrastructure, mining, pharmaceuticals, and capacity-building.
The event concluded with a forward-looking vision to deepen India–Africa relations while expanding India’s broader engagement with the continent. With leadership appointments such as that of Dr. Bommanahalli Babu and continued diplomatic efforts by the United Diplomatic Council, a strong foundation is being laid for a more connected, collaborative, and economically vibrant future.
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