Speaking at an India-Africa business forum on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said bilateral trade is still “below its potential” considering the sizes of India and Africa. It also opens doors to opportunities for the youth.
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A Nigerian journalist, Chukwuma, commended PM Modi for his generosity and said, “Even though there are so many issues in India, PM Modi has offered 50,000 scholarships among other funding”.
There can be no better expression of the ability of science to unify people and advance progress. So, technology will be a strong foundation of our partnership, he said.
Q: You heard India’s former foreign secretary speak.
Modi also appealed to African nations to join an alliance of “solar-rich” countries at the forthcoming UN climate summit in Paris to promote clean and affordable energy. But why should we accept it?
Modi sought Africa’s support in reforming the United Nations including its Security Council.
“We will train African peacekeepers here and in Africa”.
The new line of credit would be in addition to the existing one and will be staggered over the next five years.
In a speech to the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the United Nations and other global institutions “risked becoming irrelevant” if they did not adapt to a changing political and economic landscape.
The meeting is being seen as an attempt by India to improve ties with Africa. “It is a partnership beyond strategic concerns and economic benefits”.
“In the past we were united by geology, but today we are united by the goal of peace, progress and prosperity.”
Modi asserted no one has done less to contribute to global warming than India and Africa and no one can be more conscious of climate change than Indians and Africans. Now, so much of India’s development priorities and Africa’s lofty vision for its future are aligned. African countries are a big market for Indian-made pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles and processed petroleum products, with trade growing quickly.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced $600m (£393m) in assistance for development projects in Africa at a major summit in Delhi. India has promised to help develop healthcare systems, infrastructure, power, irrigation, agriculture and resources in Africa and set up industrial and information technology parks.
Radio Mozambique added that as part of these efforts, Modi said about 25,000 young Africans were educated and trained in India over the last three years.
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Stating that India also suffered its own challenges with access to power especially in the rural areas, he said that Africa and India have the most promise in using the free energy of the sun to transform the lives of their people.
