Buhari, Modi, African leaders to meet on terrorism, others

Quoting Mandela’s words “India is the Mahatma’s country of birth; South Africa is his country of adoption”, she said the great South African leader acknowledged his achievements to the influence of Gandhi’s ideals and principles on his movement, career, and life.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement the summit would address issues of “common concern” such as climate change and worldwide terrorism.

In a written interview with African journalists at the editors forum of the third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) in New Delhi, Modi said the New Development Bank was a significant initiative that can have a profound impact on the global financial order. Experts say there is potential for this to go past $100 billion. Both are seen to be on the cusp of the demographic dividend with vast sections of their population below the age of 35.

Swaraj strongly pitched for reforms in the UN Security Council (UNSC), pointing out neither India with almost a sixth of the world ” s population nor Africa, the largest continent in terms of number of countries, were on board.

As many as 37 delegations, comprising of Trade Ministers and officials from few African countries including Algeria, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, took part in the meeting.

The PM said India and Africa had economic, cultural and political ties, but the biggest factor was education, given by India to the African youth. Of many of our recommendations, we suggest that, in looking forward, African businesses should focus on diversifying their exports to India by increasing awareness of preference opportunities-a strategy that could also mitigate the effects of a recently shaky Chinese economy.

Narendra Modi in a group photograph with the Trade Ministers from Africa at an informal session, in New Delhi on October 23, 2015.

Talking about cooperation with Africa, the Prime Minister refused to bracket India with China, saying, “This is a relationship that is beyond strategic considerations”.

While it is true that India-Africa trade has grown considerably in the past decade, reaching approximately $72 billion in 2014-15, Sino-Africa trade was valued at three times that amount at $200 billion in 2013. “India also has a total investment of 30-35 billion USA dollars in Africa”.

Another noteworthy trend is Africa’s growing foreign direct investment in India.

Speaking on the issue of WTO, Sitharaman said India and Africa were aligned on the issues and both were in favour of multilateral trading system.

“So we chose to build Friendship Rose garden to symbolize India-Africa Friendship which in the coming years is going to blossom like the flowers of this garden”. This would, in turn, would create wealth and jobs in Africa.

In fact, the menu at the dinner for African trade ministers, hosted by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last Friday, was a glimpse of things to come: two non-vegetarian dishes – fish (narial bata betki paturi) and chicken chettinad – and a range of vegetarian fare, including Gujarati kadi. This indicates the vitality of the Summit & optimism towards it. Am hopeful on achieving stronger economic ties between India & Africa.

Modi also highlighted areas of cooperation like renewable energy.