PM Modi announced a slew of measures to Africa.
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Prime Minister of Mozambique Carlos Agostinho do Rosario favoured deeper ties with India in a range of areas including defence, security, agriculture and energy. Partnership beyond strategic concerns and economic benefits, it is formed on emotional bonds.
“We wish to deepen our cooperation in maritime security and hydrography, and countering terrorism and extremism; and, why we must have a UN Comprehensive Convention on worldwide Terrorism”, Modi said during the speech, according to a statement on his blog, adding: “We must also have a stronger voice in decisions on UN Peacekeeping Missions”.
While the EDC says it has helped facilitate $7.4-billion (U.S.) in business between Canadian and African companies over the past five years, this is small beans compared with what China and India have been doing in Africa as they seize the emerging opportunities on the continent. “No one can be more conscious of climate change than Indians and Africans”. India is one of the world’s biggest producer of Rice.
Africa’s oil and minerals, and other natural resources might not be quite as attractive as they were a couple of years ago, but the world is still beating a path to Africa’s door.
Modi’s latest bid to strengthen the India-Africa partnership complements New Delhi’s existing credit program. And, as we look to the future, there is something precious that unites us: it is our youth. Primary school enrolment in Africa now exceeds 90 percent.
“Today, it is not just a meeting of India and Africa”. The African continent is witnessing rapid growth in a few regions even as large parts of its population remain afflicted with low development indicators, something that India still grapples with. In 2009-10, China’s exports to the continent stood at $40 billion as compared to India’s $11.2 billion.
Indian businesses active in Africa include auto parts maker Motherson Sumi Systems, pharmaceutical firms Ranbaxy and Cipla, information technology companies Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys, telecoms company Bharti Airtel, and consumer goods company Dabur India.
But during the meeting with executives of India’s Exim Bank, the Liberia President indicated that many programs including its Line of Credit Agreement have not been touched due to the Ebola crisis; but noted that she was excited to be back in India and hold discussions on how to move forward with the outstanding projects. Of that, $100 million would go towards a new India-Africa Development Fund and $10 million to an India-Africa Health Fund.
Africa also needs higher education and specialized training from Indian institutes or Indian experts in Africa.
India has been aggressively trying to become a permanent member of the UNSC. Modi quoted ‘Africa has now joined the global mainstream of innovation’.
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Besides, he said, India’s expertise in healthcare and affordable medicines can offer new hope in the fight against many diseases, especially in the field of childcare. Hence, Modi declared a call for India-Africa to combat climate change. We want to light up lives of our people and power their future.
