PM Modi outlines 10 guiding principles to deepen India's engagement with Africa



[ad_1]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today outlined 10 guiding principles to deepen India's engagement with Africa in order to help its economic growth and raise challenges such as terrorism and climate change. Modi, who arrived yesterday at the second leg of his tour in Africa, spoke today to the Ugandan Parliament and said that India is proud to be the partner of the United States. # 39; Africa.

"Uganda is at the center of our engagement on the continent," he said in his speech, the first of an Indian Prime Minister in the Ugandan Parliament.

He said that Uganda, also known as "Pearl of Africa", is a land of immense beauty, rich in resources and rich heritage.

He said that India and Uganda were connected to each other by ancient maritime links, the dark ages of colonial rule, the common struggle for freedom and the paths uncertain as independent countries in a divided world.

"Today, India and Africa are on the threshold of a promising future: as a confident, safe, young, innovative and dynamic people," he said. he said, adding that Uganda is an example of Africa on the move.

He stated that India's commitment to Africa would be guided by 10 principles and describe them in detail.

"We will strengthen our cooperation and mutual capabilities in the fight against terrorism and extremism, ensuring the security of our cyberspace and supporting the United Nations in the promotion and maintenance of peace" , did he declare.

He said that India would work with the African nations to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations.
"The world needs cooperation and not competition on the eastern shores of Africa and the eastern Indian Ocean, which is why the Indian vision of Indian Ocean security is cooperative and inclusive, rooted in security and growth for all. " said, apparently referring to China's maneuvers in the Horn of Africa, including opening its first support base on the continent last year in Djibouti.

"Africa will be at the top of our priorities, we will continue to intensify and deepen our engagement with Africa, as we have shown, it will be supported and regular, "he said.

"Our development partnership will be guided by your priorities," he said.

He said that India would keep its markets open and make it easier and more attractive to trade with India.

"We will help our industry invest in Africa," he said.

India, we will harness its experience with the digital revolution to support the development of Africa; improve the delivery of public services; extend education and health; disseminate digital literacy; expand financial inclusion; and integrate the marginalized, he said.

Modi said that Africa has 60% of the world's arable land, but produces only 10% of world production.

"We will work with you to improve African agriculture," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the partnership between India and Africa would meet the challenges of climate change.

"We will work with Africa to ensure a fair international climate order, preserve our biodiversity and adopt clean and efficient sources of energy," he said.

As global engagement in Africa increases, Mr. Modi said: "We must all work together to ensure that Africa does not become a theater of rival ambitions again, but become a nursery of the aspirations of young people of Africa ".

He said that India and Africa would work together for a just, representative and democratic world order that has a voice and a role for a third of humanity living in Africa and Africa. in India.

"India's own quest for reforms in global institutions is incomplete without an equal place for Africa, which will be a key objective of our foreign policy," said Modi.

"Africa must march to the rhythm of the rest of the world, India will work with you and for you Our partnership will build instruments of empowerment in Africa We will be in solidarity with your efforts, in the transparency, with respect and on the principle of equality, "he said.

Modi also quoted a Ugandan saying "Anayejitahidi hufaidi" which means "the one who makes the extra effort will benefit".

"India has made this extra effort for Africa and will always do it for the benefit of Africa," Modi said.

He stated that Indian companies had invested more than $ 54 billion in Africa and that India's trade with that continent now exceeded $ 62 billion.

"This represents more than 21% more than the year before, African exports to India are increasing and our economic ties are increasingly driven by new partnerships of innovation in the digital economy ".

"With several coastal countries, our partnership is increasingly seeking to exploit the benefits of the blue economy in a sustainable way and Indian medicines have reversed the trend of diseases that threatened the future of the economy. Africa, affordable and accessible to many, "he said.

Modi said with Uganda, India has deepened its partnership and commitment across the vast expanse of Africa.

India 's development partnership currently includes the implementation of 180 lines of credit worth about $ 11 billion in more than 40 African countries. At the last India-Africa Forum summit in 2015, India had committed a $ 10 billion concessional line of credit and $ 600 million in grant aid.

[ad_2]
Source link