New Delhi, June 14 (Representative) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that Africa occupies an important place in India’s foreign policy and the engagement with the continent has been consciously stepped in the past nine years under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Delivering the inaugural address at the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership here, EAM expressed hope that the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) which commenced in 2021 will be helpful for Indian companies to enhance their business footprint in Africa. “With cumulative investments at US$ 73.9 billion from 1996-2021, India is among the top five large investors inAfrica,” he said. He said through the Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme that extends duty free access to 98.2 per cent of India’s total tariff lines, India opened its market to African countries, and so far 33 LDC African nations are entitled to get benefit.Referring to India’s G20 presidency, EAM said that three African countries – Egypt, Mauritius and Nigeria – are participating in the deliberations, in addition to South Africa.Referring to the Voice of Global South Summit held in January this year, he said that through it India sought to encapsulate the key concerns of Africa and place them before the G20. “One important result of that was at the Varanasi G20 Ministerial Meeting of Development Ministers yesterday, we got unanimous agreement on a 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress of the Sustainable Development Goals, as also the adoption of the High Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development. Both outcomes have a direct implication for Africa’s progress and prosperity,” he added.
India’s engagement with African countries in the defence sector has also witnessed meaningful growth, he said, and added that the Second India-Africa Defence Dialogue held in October 2022 at Gandhinagar had seen significant participation of Defence Ministers from Africa. “We are already building on a tradition of training by the supply of equipment with necessary support that is appropriate to Africa’s current needs,” Jaishankar said. He added that 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 urged the African nations to join the Mission LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment, initiative launched by India.EAM also expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Governments of Egypt, South Sudan and Chad, among other friendly countries, for extending their support to India in the evacuation of more than 4000 Indian community members from Sudan. He referred to his recent visit to Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia, and said that he expects to visit Tanzania very soon and many other African partners after that. He said that India has been a trusted partner of Africa in socio-economic development, and has extended concessional loans of over US$ 12.37 billion. India has also completed 197 projects, with 65 more currently under execution and 81 at the pre-execution stage. “Since 2015, India has also extended substantial grant assistance. Our projects range from drinking water schemes, irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants and transmission lines to cement, sugar & textile factories, technology parks and railway infrastructure.
They have generated local employment even as they change the life of many people in Africa,” he added.From January 2021 till March 2023 India has supplied ‘Made in India’ Covid vaccines to 42 countries of Africa. “We are now encouraging Indian pharma manufacturers and vaccine manufacturers to explore joint manufacturing facilities in the African countries. Equally important, we have battled in the WTO along with our African partners for enhancing the accessibility and affordability of vaccines,” he added.In a tweet, summing up his address, he said: “Addressed the Special Plenary of the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave’s on India-Africa Growth Partnership. “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 but represent the solidarity of a shared struggle. “Our engagement today has stepped up with 36 high level visits from India and more than 100 high level visits from Africa during PM@narendramodi’s tenure.“India believes in forging a development partnership with Africa that is based on the needs and the priorities for our partners, as enunciated by PM in Kampala principles in 2018. “India has proved itself to be a trusted partner in African during the pandemic. “We are committed to enhance capacity building and skill development among African youth. “Our development partnership focusses strongly on Digital, Green, Health, Food and Water, which we believe, are the pressing priorities of Africa.”