Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Africa must speak in one voice for reforms in international institutions like the UN Security Council. Addressing the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, he also took the opportunity to announce a credit of $10 billion to Africa, in addition to the ongoing credit programme. "To add strength to our partnership, India will offer concessional credit of $10 billion over the next five years. This will be in addition to our ongoing credit programme," said Modi.
Making common cause with African nations, Modi said, “international institutions cannot be representative of the world if they do not give a place to India and Africa. This is a world of free nations and awakened aspirations. Our institutions cannot be representative of our world, if they do not give voice to Africa, with more than a quarter of UN members, or the world's largest democracy with one-sixth of humanity. That is why India and Africa must speak in one voice for reforms of the United Nations, including its Security Council," he reiterated.
Modi also pledged an assistance of $600 million to the African continent and 50,000 scholarships for African students in India. "We will also offer a grant assistance of $600 million. This will include an India-Africa Development Fund of $100 million and an India-Africa Health Fund of $10 million," Modi said.
"It will also include 50,000 scholarships in India over the next five years. And, it will support the expansion of the Pan Africa E-Network and institutions of skills, training and learning across Africa." he added.
Prime Minister Modi earlier said India's development priorities and Africa's lofty vision for its future are aligned, adding that both sides are two bright spots of hope and opportunities in the global economy. He said that India was honoured to be a development partner for Africa.
"It is a partnership beyond strategic concerns and economic benefits. It is formed from the emotional bonds we share and the solidarity we feel for each other. In less than a decade, our trade has more than doubled to over 70 billion dollars. India is now a major source of business investments in Africa. Today, 34 African countries enjoy duty free access to the Indian market.
African energy helps run the engine of the Indian economy; its resources are powering our industries; and, African prosperity offers growing market for Indian products," said Prime Minister Modi.
He pointed out that nearly 25,000 young Africans have been trained and educated in India in the last three years and said that they are the 25,000 new links between us.
The Prime Minister said the fabric of this world is richer because of the 54 sovereign flags of Africa.
"Today, their brilliant colours have made Delhi the most special place in the world. To the 41 Heads of State and Government and the other eminent leaders; to the hundreds of senior officials, business leaders and journalists from Africa, I say this: we are deeply, deeply honoured by your presence today," said Prime Minister Modi.
