On September 4, 2019 the Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu addressed the valedictory session of the national conference on 2019 ‘India-Africa Partnership in a Changing Global Order–Priorities, Prospects and Challenges’ in New Delhi organised by Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).
Key addresses
i. World communities were called to root out terrorism and also for enlargement and democratization of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
ii. Trade partnership of Africa: Bilateral trade investment of Africa in the year 2017-18 was USD 62.66 billion, where India was the fourth largest investor in Africa with cumulative investments USD 54 billion. India had also signed the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) to make Africa the largest trade area in the world.
iii. Publications: During the conference Shri Naidu, released two books on Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) named “Shakti Ki Manyata- Samyukta Rashtra Suraksha Parishad” written by Dilip Sinha and “Bharat Aur European Sangh: Ek Antarangik Drishtikon” by Bhaswati Mukherjee.
iv. Initiatives by India: In-order to strengthen the Indo-African relationship various initiatives like the 2004 Techno-Economic Approach for Africa-India Movement-9 (TEAM-9) initiative, Focus Africa Programme and India Africa Forums Summit were started. The no. 9 of TEAM-9 denotes India and its relationship with 8 west African countries.
v. Africa agenda 2063: Africa’s 2063 Agenda adopted in January 2015 to strengthen its economy just like India’s aspiration to become $5 trillion economy by 2024-25 were discussed.
Indian contribution to Africa:
India has provided 189 LOCs (Lines of Credit) to 42 African countries with total worth $11 billion. It is 42% of the total amount of LOCs offered by India through EXIM(Export-Import) Bank.
Members present:
- Mr. Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam- Ambassador of the Republic of Etria and Dean of African Groups of Heads of Mission.
- Dr. T.C.A. Raghavan- Director General(DG) of ICWA.
- Dr. Nivedita Ray- Director (Research) of ICWA and other members from ICWA.
About ICWA:
Founded- 1943.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Founder President- Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru.
Ex-officio President- Venkaiah Naidu.
Vice-President- S Jaishankar (Minister of External Affairs).