EAM Jaishankar affirms India's support for Africa's enhanced role in UN, multilateral forums
- In Reports
- 01:48 PM, Jun 26, 2024
- Myind Staff
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of closer engagement and collaboration between India and Africa, describing it as crucial. He expressed India's commitment to fostering a relationship based on mutual benefit and respect, aligned with the ethos of being a 'Vishwa Bandhu'.
Jaishankar also highlighted India's endorsement of Africa playing a more significant role in the United Nations and other international forums. Additionally, he extended an invitation to African countries to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
Addressing the Africa Day celebrations in the national capital on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the evolving defence relations between India and Africa. He noted that African Defence Ministers have convened multiple meetings in India, highlighting India's role in training military officers from various African countries at its military training institutions.
Additionally, India has contributed to the establishment of Defence Academies and Colleges in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Jaishankar mentioned the deployment of training teams in several African nations including Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tanzania.
He further highlighted India's significant contribution as the third largest provider of personnel to UN Peacekeeping Operations, with nearly 5000 Indian personnel currently engaged in five Peacekeeping Missions across Africa.
India's participation as an Observer in the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Jeddah Amendment since August 2020 aims to actively combat piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, ensuring secure maritime navigation.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted India's focus on the Global South during its G20 presidency, stressing support for Africa's greater role in the UN and other global forums. He expressed pride in the African Union's inclusion as a permanent G20 member during India's presidency in 2023.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to initiatives like the 'Ezulwini Consensus' and 'Sirte Declaration', and invited African nations to join collaborations such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. He also welcomed their participation in biodiversity efforts and extended an invitation to join the International Big Cat Alliance.
Jaishankar highlighted India's commitment to leveraging technology for citizen-centric services in Africa, noting positive outcomes. He underscored India's advancements in space technology, which present new opportunities for collaboration with African nations.
Calling for strengthened India-Africa relations, Jaishankar expressed anticipation for the fourth India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV). He emphasised the need for closer engagement and cooperation between the two regions, seeking support for the upcoming summit to shape a contemporary agenda for mutual cooperation.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2018 statement, Jaishankar reiterated India's deep-rooted focus on Africa, prioritising the well-being of every African individual. He emphasised that India's partnership with Africa transcends strategic and economic interests, rooted instead in shared emotional bonds and solidarity.
Jaishankar affirmed that Africa would remain a top priority for India, pledging a relationship based on mutual benefit and respect in line with the principles of being a Vishwa Bandhu.
Image source: ANI
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