75^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

 [item 13]: New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support [items 66 (a) and (b)]

India statement delivered by

Mr. R. Ravindra, Deputy Permanent Representative

28 July 2021

Thank you Mr. President,

We align our Statement with the Statement delivered by Guinea on behalf of G77.

The strong and deep solidarity and partnership between India and Africa reflects the bonding of the Global South which has been forged over several centuries.  Longstanding trade and Diaspora links across the Indian Ocean, a shared colonial past, Mahatma Gandhi’s 21 years in South Africa, his struggle for India’s Independence and its influence on Africa’s own independence movements and, in the recent times, our common development challenges have been the foundation of India-Africa relations.

As Africa marches on its road to 2030 agenda and its agenda 2063, India has emerged as a close friend and strategic partner of Africa.  In 2018, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi enunciated the ten guiding principles of India’s engagement with Africa, where he mentioned that Africa will be at the top of India’s priorities.   He made clear that we will work closely with Africa in line with their own national priorities and in a manner which unlocks their potential, and not constraint them by imposing unreasonable conditionalities. We seek to further our close engagement in range of issues, including digital cooperation, business, trade and agriculture, empowerment of youth, climate change and blue economy.  India’s own quest for reforms in the global institutions, particularly the UN, is incomplete without an equal place for Africa and we continue to support the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

Mr. President,

India has developed a robust and close development partnership with Africa with our concessional line of credit valued at nearly 12 billion USD.  We have recently opened new diplomatic Missions in 18 countries in Africa.

More than digital pathways and brick and mortar projects, India’s association with Africa is about the human touch – about facilitating the capacities of the people of Africa, particularly youth.  For over half a century India’s flagship initiative – The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation – has offered training and skill development to countries from Africa.  In the last 5 years, we have provided 50,000 training slots aimed to build capacity in various sectors.  Thousands of African students continue to study in India on their own. Through Pan-African network project, we are also connecting premier Indian educational institutions to African educational institutions and providing tele-education and tele-medicines, with scholarships.

Today, India is one of the largest trade, investment and development partner of Africa where some of the fastest growing economies are located.  India offers market for the African commodities and products and duty free access to the products of the LDCs of Africa.  India-Africa trade is robust and grown to US $ 66.7 bn in 2019-20 and with a cumulative investment of US $ 54 billion.

African continent receives nearly 20% of our pharmaceuticals and these medicines have helped to turn the tide on diseases such as HIV and Malaria that were once a threat to Africa’s future.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied medicines, vaccines and health-related equipment to 42 African countries.  We are also working in partnership with South Africa and other countries in the WTO, to address the challenges of accessibility and affordability of vaccines.

Amid the pandemic, India joined other G20 nations in announcing the Debt Service Suspension Initiative that allowed several African countries to suspend debt service payment due in 2020. We call upon all friends and partners to come together in this hour of need, so that we can build back a more resilient and stronger Africa.

The International Solar Alliance initiated by India, aims to bring together countries to provide a collective response to obstacles to massive deployment of solar energy – in terms of technology, finance and capacity.  It is gratifying those 38 African nations have joined this Alliance and we will together combat climate change.

Mr. President,

Going forward, prosperity and peace remains the theme of our partnership.  We continue to remain one of the largest contributors to UN Peace Keeping  Missions in Africa which have played an important role in bringing peace and stability to the African continent.

The underlying philosophy of India’s partnership with Africa is to empower Africa for a future that is founded on the principles of inclusiveness, sustainability, peace and prosperity, dignity and respect for one and all.  African priorities will guide our initiatives.

I thank you.