India has all along pursued a functional collaborative approach toward building the partnership with Africa. Stating this in his special address at the luncheon session of the 6th CII-EXIM BANK Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership 2010 being held in New Delhi, Mr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, said the Delhi Declaration that was adopted at the first India Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in 2008 added a new dimension to India’s model of cooperation with Africa.
Mr Tharoor said the India-Africa relations are founded on the fundamental principles of equality, mutual respect and understanding. “India and Africa have pursued mutual benefits through a consultative process,” he said, while adding that the Indian engagements in Africa are aligned with the stated and defined needs of the host countries.
The minister said that while there are occasional procedural delays with respect to the projects sanctioned by the Indian government, owing to the strong ‘check and balance’ mechanism managed by the Indian bureaucracy, the Indian government has not wavered from the objective of initiating projects that contribute to Africa’s development process.
Mr Tharoor said that India believes in extending “non-intrusive support” to Africa. Besides, the Indian government has contributed significantly to Africa’s human capital development. Over 15,000 African students are enrolled in Indian educational institutions every year.
Talking about the Indian private sector engagement in Africa, Mr Tharoor categorically said that Indian companies operate independently in Africa with “no heavy government footprint”. He added that the Conclave has once again demonstrated the positive intent with which Indian private corporate sector is engaging Africa.
Mr Tharoor observed that Indian investors are highly respected in Africa. “They have contributed to local employment generation and capacity building,” he said.
The minister said the Indian government has not stepped back from its commitments toward Africa’s development. “The Government of India’s lines of credit (LoC) have contributed to asset creation in Africa and have acted as catalytic confidence builders,” he said.
Mr Tharoor said the Indian government has also pursued partnerships for multilateral cooperation in Africa.
Talking about the socio-economic and cultural proximity that exists between India and Africa, the minister said that “India resembles your own countries”. “We offer an accessible development model for you,” he said, while addressing in particular the African delegates at the Conclave.
Earlier, Mr Sanjay Kirloskar, Chairman, CII Africa Committee, in his welcome remarks said that Mr Shashi Tharoor has played a crucial role in strengthening the India-Africa partnership. “Since taking charge as minister, Mr Tharoor has travelled to Africa on six occasions. This shows the positive intent with which our Government has approached Africa, which in my view will emerge as perhaps the most sought after trade and investment destinations, on the lines of India’s current status.”
Mr Kirloskar also said that “the partnership with Africa is a key sub-set of India’s global engagements. India has always been a partner of choice for Africa, in waging a political battle against imperialism and colonialism, or in strengthening the South-South Cooperation framework.”
He added that the emerging global economic scenario and the inherent strengths of India and Africa would make any partnership between the two regions a formidable combine, possessed of great capabilities to fashion a new global economic order.
Mr Syamal Gupta, Chairman Emeritus, CII Africa Committee & Chairman, TCE Ltd, concluded the session. He said that the 21st century will the century of India and Africa.
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