Modi first landed in Mozambique and will then travel to South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.
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China has argued forcefully that exceptions can not be made for certain states, and accepting India as a member would be unfair to Pakistan, raising regional tension. According to his Facebook post, Modi will hold deliberations with President Uhuru Kenyatta on how bilateral cooperation between the two countries can grow. That could change. Chinese economic growth is losing steam and the slow-down will have an impact on trade, perhaps opening up new opportunities for India.
In Maputo on Thursday, PM Modi set the tone for his tour by announcing a raft of cooperation agreements on agriculture, defence, security and healthcare.
Of course, in what has now become a hallmark of his visits, the prime minister will also meet the Indian community in the country as well.
India and Mozambique signed three agreements, including a long-term one on purchase of pulses. No Indian airline has direct connections with Africa. “The potential is vast and together we seek to harness it”, Modi said.
The visits aim to bolster and sustain ties between India and energy- and resource-rich Africa given that the next India-Africa Summit will be held in 2020.
“And what Mozambique requires is available in India”, he said.
It would surprise most Indians to know that Mozambique is emerging as their country’s 21st century partner in Africa.
On July 8, the Prime Minister is also visiting the twin cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
India will also help build capacities of Mozambique’s security forces amid Modi’s vow to march with this African country on its path of development and progress. “We are confident that under the leadership of President Nyusi, Indian investments will continue to receive a nurturing environment in Mozambique”, he said. India is forced to import more than two thirds of the oil and gas it consumes and more than a quarter of that energy comes from Africa.
But relations between India and the continent have been strained in the past by incidents of alleged racism, with African ambassadors as recently as May claiming after the brutal murder of a Congolese teacher that African nationals in the Indian capital live in a “pervading climate of fear and insecurity”. This would require reform of the UN and if it is to be achieved India will need the assistance of other states, African nations included. “Important talks await the PM in this brief but important visit”, the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted earlier. Mozambique said it was ready to meet India’s requirement if New Delhi assured buying the entire quantity of pulses grown there. “I bring with me the best wishes of 1.25 billion Indians who share the democratic spirit with the people of Mozambique”.
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The India-Kenya Business Forum meeting is also on his agenda.
