Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar said that India considers the rise of Africa key to global rebalancing.
In his address at the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on the India-Africa Growth Partnership in Delhi, the EAM expressed hope that trade between India and Africa would soon cross the $100 billion mark.
India and Africa have a long-standing trade and economic linkages as indeed they do in a people-to-people context. India staunchly supported African countries in their quest to attain independence and fight against colonialism and apartheid. - @DrSJaishankar, Hon Minister of… pic.twitter.com/xX3XYYrpmZ
— Confederation of Indian Industry (@FollowCII) June 14, 2023
India-Africa Partnership to Focus on Digital, Healthcare, Food Security
The EAM highlighted that India and Africa have longstanding trade and economic linkages. He said the ties between Africa and India are “not transactional but represent the solidarity of a shared struggle.”
In his address, Jaishankar said that Africa occupies an important place in Indian foreign policy. “India believes in forging a development partnership with Africa that is based on the needs and the priorities of our partners [...] For India, the rise of Africa is key to global rebalancing,” the Minister remarked.
Furthermore, he underscored projects like drinking water schemes, irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants, and railway infrastructure, among others, that India has undertaken in Africa.
The EAM also mentioned India’s support to 32 African countries during the pandemic, and said India is encouraging its pharma manufacturers to seek joint manufacturing opportunities in Africa. He further noted India’s VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti networks launched for tele-education and telemedicine in Africa.
Jaishankar remarked, “As we look ahead, our development partnership focuses strongly on Digital, on Green, on Health, on Food and on Water.”
He stated that trade between India and the African continent had jumped to $98 billion in 2022-23 as compared to a sum of $89.6 billion the previous year.
Addressed the Special Plenary of the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave’s on India-Africa Growth Partnership.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 14, 2023
Thank Vice President of Zimbabwe Dr. Chiwenga and Deputy PM of Democratic Republic of Congo Mr. Kanyiginyi for joining us.
Highlighted that our ties are not transactional… pic.twitter.com/agyBY8CCIC
Disaster Assistance, Energy Transition
Mentioning India’s Operation Shayata in Mozambique and Operation Vanilla in Madagascar, the EAM said that India has been active in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief to Africa in times of need. He also hoped that more African countries would join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019.
Highlighting the India-Africa defence engagement, Jaishankar said India supports Africa by providing equipment appropriate to Africa’s current needs. “India is keen to share its experiences and know-how to help Africa in its energy transition through rapid deployment of clean energy technologies,” he remarked.
The Minister also invited the African nations to join the LiFE- Lifestyle for Environment Mission, and thanked Egypt, South Sudan, and Chad for their support in evacuating Indians from Sudan.