Indian PM has proposed that the African Union be given full membership at the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20, on their request…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a bold step in taking Africa’s voice on the international stage and shaping the future of the shared world, sources said, adding that he has written to G20 counterparts to provide African Union with full membership at the upcoming G20 Summit in the national capital, New Delhi.
According to the sources, PM Modi has proposed that the African Union be given full membership at the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20, on their request. Prime Minister Modi firmly advocates and supports the Africa cause and has led from the front in this matter. This will be the right step towards a just, fair, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance sources added.
Prime Minister Modi is also a strong believer in holding a greater voice of the Global South countries on international platforms, particularly of African countries, noted the sources.
As part of India’s G20 Presidency, he has particularly focused on incorporating priorities of the African countries in the G20 agenda, they added.
Earlier, while addressing the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave in Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Africa occupies an important place in India’s Foreign Policy and during the last nine years, this has been consciously stepped up under the direction of PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday in the national capital.
The minister added that India’s engagement with Africa has been strengthened under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi.
India-Africa trade grew 9.26%
Bilateral trade of India with Africa grew by 9.26 per cent in 2022-23, reaching almost $100 billion, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said while addressing the CII-EXIM Bank conclave on “India-Africa Partnership”.
Goyal expressed confidence in achieving the goal of doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2030.
“Blessed with demographic dividend, India-Africa partnership can drive the global progress in this century,” the minister said further.
Goyal said that the exports and imports were approximately balanced with exports being $51.2 billion and imports being $46.65 billion in 2022-23.
The minister said that 27 least developed countries of Africa benefit from the duty-free tariff preference on non-reciprocal basis already and free trade agreements (FTAs), and comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) can be explored with other African countries as well.
India-Africa partnership prioritises digital, green, healthcare
External Affairs Minister S Jaishanakar on Wednesday said India’s development partnership with Africa will have a strong focus on digital, green, healthcare, food security, and water.
Speaking at the inaugural session “India-Africa: Synergies for ONE Growth” of CII-EXIM Bank India Conclave, Jaishankar said, “India’s development partnership with Africa will have a strong focus on digital, green, healthcare, food security and water, in tune with the pressing priorities of Africa.” The 18th CII-EXIM Bank India Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership is jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and EXIM Bank of India, in New Delhi.
Recent Indian experiences in Africa, including India’s digital delivery of public goods, deployment of green technologies, Covid response and healthcare efforts, among others have been impactful and will foster inclusive development in Africa, he added.
Referring to the significant growth in India-Africa bilateral trade flows, Jaishankar said the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will pave the way for increased investments by Indian companies in Africa. “India is already among the top five large investors in Africa and I am confident that this will grow in the coming times,” he added.
Jaishankar stated that India is committed to sharing experiences and know-how for facilitating Africa’s energy transition and encouraged the African countries to join the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Further, he also urged Africa to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets in line with the UN Year of Millets, which Prime Minister Modi again proposed.
Jaishankar also stated that Africa occupies an important place in India’s Foreign Policy and during the last nine years, this has been consciously stepped up under the direction of PM Modi.
“Our ties are not transactional but represent the solidarity of a shared struggle. Africa, therefore, occupies an important place in India’s foreign policy. During the last 9 years, this has been consciously stepped up under the direction of PM Modi,” EAM said.
Meanwhile, General (Retd) C.G.D.N Chiwenga, Vice President, Republic of Zimbabwe, noted that it was a boon to have deep bilateral relations amidst the current geopolitical tensions and the pandemic. He also noted that the implementation of the AfCFTA would trigger investments, and develop the tourism sector, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.
Vital Kamerhe Lwa Kanyiginyi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who was also there at the event, stated that the Democratic Republic of Congo has been preserving its forest cover, rich with mineral resources and has the potential to generate hydropower which can be utilised for accelerated development. He welcomed Indian businesses to participate in the construction of rail lines and highways connecting the remotest areas of the African continent.
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