15th Digital Conclave On India-Africa Partnership

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The 15th Confederation of Indian Industry and Exim Bank Digital Conclave on India-Africa Partnership was held in Delhi; with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The conclave was held on the virtual mode in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. It saw the participation of eminent dignitaries from across Africa and India, who have actively built bridges to strengthen partnership between the two regions. The conclave gave the platform of virtual congregations of senior ministers, policy makers and business leaders from Africa and India, cutting across sectors, to frame a new contour of strategy for strengthening economic engagement between the regions which is in the cusp of the next wave of partnership. This is in line with the 10 guiding principles of India–Africa ties which Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled in his speech in Uganda’s Parliament in 2018.

Over 500 delegates from Africa participated in the conclave. The Guests of Honour at the inaugural session were Mr Sylvestre Ilunga, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, Vice-Prime Minister of Mauritius, Ms. Raychelle Awour Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya and Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria.

Notably, Africa has traditionally been an important focus in Indian foreign policy. Since the 1990s, India has significantly widened its relations with the continent. Three summits, and increasing trade and investments demonstrate the increased importance of the African continent vis-a-vis India’s foreign policy. Moreover, India-Africa bilateral partnership has been further enhanced by India’s pre-eminence as a growing major economy, as well as Africa’s new economic dynamism which has been gaining momentum since 2000. Today, Africa offers not only a huge market and scope for business expansion, it is also a treasure trove of minerals, natural resources and agri­cultural commodities.

The conclave reflected these initiatives to widen the vision of long-term engagement with Africa and India’s unwavering commitment to expanding the canvas of India–Africa economic partnership.

India is committed for opening markets and to encourage the Indian industry to invest in Africa. This is reflected in the inaugural speech of India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar. He applauded the growing ties between India and Africa, and emphasised India’s commitment towards supporting African countries in their endeavour for economic development. Dr. Jaishankar outlined India’s commitment to Africa which was represented by the four pillars of development partnership, trade and investment, strong people-to-people ties, particularly in the areas of education and capacity building for young Africans, and, more recently, defence and maritime security.

India has undertaken 194 projects in 37 African countries. These range from infrastructure to ICT, power generation and distribution of water and irrigation, railways to roads, and agriculture to sugar plants. External Affairs Minister detailed how Indian investments have created thousands of jobs in a number of sectors in African countries. He upheld India as Africa’s most steadfast partner, and made a dig at China when he said that Indian projects always “empower rather than extract from local communities” and ensure sustainable development. He ended his address by acknowledging that defence and security cooperation is a key 21st century pillar of India-Africa partnership.

African dignitaries praised India’s generosity for despatching teams of doctors, medicine and medical equipment and foodgrains to various African countries during the peak of Covid 19 pandemic crisis.

Since 2009, India has undertaken major initiatives in the healthcare sector of Africa through the Pan-Africa e-Network Project. Africa is actively seeking help from India to increase its abilities in the field of universal healthcare, especially for the middle class, who cannot fly to other countries to access superior health services. African countries are also looking at the prospect of inducting telemedicine to bring down the cost of healthcare services. The African dignitaries stressed on India-Africa cooperation in the fields of digital scientific research, space science and satellite development programme, as well as pharmaceuticals and manufacturing sectors.

The conclave identified key areas of co-operation in the areas of agriculture, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, power and energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, finance, education & skill development, among others.

The 15th Digital Conclave on India-Africa Partnership has set the tone for many new cross-border partnerships to take roots. Since its beginning in 2005, this conclave has emerged as the pioneer event in building partnerships and enhancing the economic engagement between India and Africa.

Script: Prof. Aparajita Biswas Former Professor and Director, Centre for African Studies
University of Mumbai

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