New Delhi, July 19 (Agency) India is planning to strengthen its partnership with Africa in four areas to fulfil aspirations of both the countries, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. The areas which are intended to be strengthened are solar power, defence trade and military exchanges in Indian Ocean, manufacturing of armoured vehicles and UAVs, digital infra, helping in IT/Consultancy and project exports and healthcare & pharma, he said while speaking at the inaugural session of CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership. He said the engagement between CII and EXIM bank along with all African nations will play a very critical role in the shared future and prosperity of people of Africa and India. ‘We are working to lead the developing world out of food insecurity.
Efforts are being made to bring quality life and prosperity to the people of India and Africa. Our deep friendship can be best demonstrated by our continuous engagement through Vaccine-Maitri during Covid period,’ he said. Talking about the support India receives from South Africa, he said this was evident at the WTO Ministerial also, where India and Africa became the voice of developing and less developed countries. ‘We achieved the relevance of the multilateral trading systems and protected our future growth imperatives. Together India and Africa can solve several global issues,’ he said. He said Indian companies are working to support local manufacturing in Africa and expressed hope to see deeper engagements between businesses of India and Africa. Pointing out that Africa is India’s 4th largest trading partner, Goyal said in the post-Covid world, Indian knowledge in healthcare and education will help deepen engagement with Africa.