Innovative Capacity Building Initiatives Needed to Strengthen India Africa Partnership

November 25, 2011

New Delhi, Nov. 25, 2011: A need for innovative capacity building initiatives on the lines of the Pan Pan-African e-Network Project, was felt during the concluding day of the India Africa Strategic Dialogue, organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) on Friday.
Speaking at the forum, Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Vivek Katju encouraged the African nations to lead such initiatives, based on their models of governance and development.
Mr Katju, also spoke about the India-Africa virtual university to be established in the near future, adding that India should explore the possibility of offering work permits to African students, who come to study in India.

Speakers from both India and Africa renewed their commitment towards a collective fight against a broad spectrum of issues, including piracy and terrorism. A need was also felt to leverage the growth story of India and resurgence of Africa towards maximizing the opportunities.

Earlier, speaking on the inaugural day of the dialogue on Thursday, M. Ganapathi, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs had reiterated India’s commitment towards the Socio-cultural Transformation of Africa.

The objective of the two day event was to build upon existing partnerships between African countries and India and to explore new areas of convergence for mutual engagement.

India and Africa have in past shared a close relationship that hinged on the common struggle against colonialism, apartheid, poverty, disease, illiteracy and hunger. The first India Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in 2008 marked the beginning of a robust and contemporary partnership. The second Africa India Forum Summit, held in Addis Ababa in May 2011, emphasised the renewed focus of India to strengthen and enhance its partnership with countries in the African continent.

Both, India and Africa have identified climate change, food, energy and the financial crisis as the common challenges that face the world today. Both Indiaand Africa are committed to a balanced outcome of the climate change negotiations. Reform of the United Nations and the increased participation of developing countries in the decision making process are goals that both India and Africa identify with.