By IANS,
New Delhi : Months after its second summit with Africa, India Thursday underlined its initiatives to help in the socio-cultural transformation of African countries and called for jointly combating global challenges like terrorism, piracy and climate change.
India as a development partner can play a role in the socio-cultural transformation of African countries, M. Ganapathi, secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry, said at a two-day conference on the India-Africa strategic dialogue that started here Thursday morning.
Ganapathi highlighted India’s ongoing efforts to engage with the African continent on a broad spectrum of issues related to global security, especially piracy and terrorism on the Somalian coast, food security, energy security and climate change.
Speaking about the age-old solidarity that harks back to the common struggle against colonialism and apartheid, Ganapathi stressed that the two sides will now intensify their cooperation in the fight against poverty, disease, illiteracy and hunger. The foundation of Indo-Africa ties is based upon equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, he added.
The conference seeks to expand the ambit of the strategic dialogue between two of the fast growing regions of the world and firm up a roadmap for accelerating this crucial engagement between India and Africa.
The conference has been organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a premier think tank.
Prominent experts from Africa participating in the conference include Abednego Edho Ekoko of Delta State University, Nigeria; Festus K. Aubyn, senior research fellow at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Institute (KAIPTC), Ghana; Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, national director, South Africa Institute of International Affairs; and Paul Musili Wambua of the University of Nairobi School of Law.
Against the backdrop of African resurgence and increased global interest in Africa, India held its second summit with the emerging continent in Addis Ababa May 24-25 this year. India unveiled a $5.7 billion line of credit (soft loans) for developmental projects and setting up of over 80 training institutes across Africa at the summit.
The summit highlighted India’s emphasis on human resource development and capacity building as key features of its engagement with Africa.