India will work with Africa to realise its vast potential |
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Addis Ababa Ethiopia, May 24 ANI: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said that India would work with African countries to help them realise their vast potential. Addressing the plenary session of second Africa-India Forum Summit here, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that India would be happy to share its experience in nation building. "I wish to outline some initiatives for the consideration of our African partners. These will enhance our development partnership, which are founded on the pillars of mutual equality and common benefit," he added. He said that India would l offer five billion dollars for the next three years under lines of credit to help Africa achieve its development goals. "We will offer an additional 700 million US dollars to establish new institutions and training programmes in consultation with the African Union and its institutions," he added. "Under the lines of credit that we offered at the first Summit, we had specifically looked at promoting regional integration through infrastructure development. On the advice of the African Union, I am happy to announce that we would support the development of a new Ethio-Djibouti Railway line to the tune of 300 million dollars," he said. Emphasising that we should encourage trade and investment flows as well as transfer of technology, Dr Manmohan Singh said: "The private sectors should be fully involved in the efforts to integrate our economies. I propose that we establish an India-Africa Business Council which will bring together business leaders from both sides." "India has consistently supported the development of African capacities in the maintenance of peace and security. As a token of our commitment to supporting Africa's endeavours for seeking African solutions I am happy to announce that India will contribute 2 million US dollars for the African Union Mission in Somalia," he added. Highlighting the success of the Pan-African E-Network Project, Dr Singh said: "We propose to take the next step and establish an India-Africa Virtual University. This we hope will help to meet some of the demand in Africa for higher studies in Indian institutions. "We further propose that 10,000 new scholarships under this proposed University will be available for African students after its establishment," he added. He said that India would raise the number of scholarships and training slots for African students and experts, including under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme. "Our total commitment for the next three years by way of scholarships to African students will stand at more than 22,000," he added. ANI Posted by aniin on Thursday May 26 reply Comments |
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