Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Charts out 10 Principles of India’s African Reach-Out

Kampala, July 25: Stating that India has deepened its partnership and engagement across the vast expanse of Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday charted out 10 principles of his country’s engagement with African nations. “India is proud to be Africa’s partner,” Modi said while addressing the Ugandan Parliament, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister. “And, Uganda is central to our commitment to the continent,” he said.

He assured India’s continued support to Uganda in the fields of agriculture and healthcare, education and training, infrastructure and energy, capacity building in government and training in defence. The Prime Minister also said that as many as 32 heads of state or government from African countries visited India in the last four years. “India’s engagement with Africa will continue to be guided by 10 principles,” Modi stated in the presence of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in the House .

Secondly, Modi said, India’s development partnership will be guided by Africa’s priorities and by relying on African talent and skills. “Three, we will keep our markets open and make it easier and more attractive to trade with India,” he said. “We will support our industry to invest in Africa.” The fourth principle, the Prime Minister said will be to harness India’s experience with digital revolution to support Africa’s development; improve delivery of public services; extend education and health; spread digital literacy; expand financial inclusion; and mainstream the marginalised. “Five, Africa has 60 per cent of the world’s arable land, but produces just 10 per cent of the global output,” he said.

The sixth principle, Modi said, is the India-Africa partnership addressing the challenges of climate change. Seventh, he said, both sides will strengthen cooperation and mutual capabilities in combating terrorism and extremism; keeping cyberspace safe and secure; and, supporting the UN in advancing and keeping peace. “Eight, we will work with African nations to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations,” Modi stated.

As the ninth principle, the Prime Minister called for both sides to work together “to ensure that Africa does not once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions, but becomes a nursery for the aspirations of Africa’s youth”. “Ten, just as India and Africa fought colonial rule together, we will work together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice and a role for one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India,” he stated. (IANS)