Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that “India and Africa are two bright spots of hope and economic opportunity. He offered technology and credit to match rival China at the third India-Africa Forum Summit with more than 40 African leaders on Thursday in New Delhi. This meet results in strengthening the relationship between India and Africa in future. PM Modi announced a slew of measures to Africa. The India-Africa Summit was first started in 2008.

“India is honored 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,” Modi ji said. “We will open our doors more; we will expand Tele-education, and we will continue to build institutions in Africa,” he said. Earlier, India has given a lot of credit to Africa and also a $1.2 billion grant.

According to the reports, around 25,000 Africans were educated and trained in India in the last 3 years.

Key Takeaways From Narendra Modi Speech:

1. Helping Africa’s Agriculture Sector:

We all know that Agriculture is one of the main sources in Indian economy. India is one of the world’s biggest producer of Rice. Africa is a place where 60% of world’s arable land which is perfectly suitable for growing crops. Thus, Modi government has decided and promised to help Africa in developing the agriculture sector. Modi ji said a sudden forceful stream in Africa’s agriculture sector can drive the continent to wealth, success and also support global food security.

In the context of African countries taking measures in the fields of education, agriculture and healthcare, PM Modi said, “We see strong measures that are radically improving healthcare, education and agriculture. Primary school enrolment in Africa now will exceed 90 percent.” Africa has joined the global mainstream of innovation. India has committed concessional credit and a grant since the first India-Africa Summit in 2008, It is creating 100 capacity building institutions, developing infrastructure, public transport, clean energy, irrigation, agriculture and manufacturing capacity across Africa, Modi added.

Despite the bond between India and Africa since 2007 to 2015, India’s two-way trade with Africa is still comparatively small. Due to the Ebola crisis the summit was postponed since December, this summit represents the highest number of foreign dignitaries to descend on India since 1983 and is thought to be the biggest ever overseas gathering of African leaders.

2. Credit of $10 Billion:

In this credit program, PM Modi announced a $10 Billion credit  to Africa for various aspects in developing the continent. This credit is like a source to add the strength to India-Africa relationship over the next five years. And the credit announced will add to the ongoing credit program, said Modi. In addition to this, PM Modi pledged an assistance of $600 million to Africa that includes 50,000 scholarships for African students in India, development fund and Health fund.

The credit will also help the expansion of Pan Africa E-Network and institutions of skilling, training and learning. Besides promising to help digitally connect Africa from Marrakesh to Mombasa and Cairo to Cape Town, by setting up industrial parks and a slew of other projects.

3. Technology & Innovation:

Remembering the Egyptian Nobel Prize-winning writer Naguib Mahfouz, who said science brings people together with the light of its ideas, Modi extended “Technology will be a strong foundation of the India-Africa relationship.” Modi quoted ‘Africa has now joined the global mainstream of innovation.’

“The mobile banking of M-Pesa, the healthcare innovation of MedAfrica, or the agriculture innovation of AgriManagr and Kilimo Salama, are using mobile and digital technology to transform lives in Africa,” Modi said.

4. Battle Against Climate Change:

Modi stated that “No one can be more conscious of climate change than people in India and Africa.” Hence, Modi declared a call for India-Africa to combat climate change. Both Africa and India want to “light up lives of our people and power their future.” Modi added At the meet in Paris in December, India will do its part for it, but also wants to see “a genuine global public partnership that makes clean energy affordable; provides finance and technology to developing countries to access it, and the means to adapt to the impact of climate change.”

5. Solar Alliance:

PM Modi invited the African nations to join an alliance of solar-rich countries. India has proposed to launch in Paris on November 30 during the COP-21 meeting. “Our goal is to make solar energy an integral part of our life and reach it to the most unconnected villages and communities,” he said.

6. UNSC Reforms:

Narendra Modi exhorted both India and Africa to speak in one voice for reforms in international institutions like the UN Security Council. The world is currently undergoing political, economic, technological and security transition on a scale and speed rarely seen in recent history. Yet, our global institutions reflect the circumstances of the century that we left behind, not the one we are in today.”

7. Shape & Build:

PM Modi outlined India’s vision and desire to assist Africa with infrastructure building from “Cairo to Cape Town, Marrakesh to Mombassa”. “Two-thirds of India and two-thirds of Africa is under the age of 35 years. And, if the future belongs to the youth, then this century is ours to shape and build.”

Thus, Narendra Modi signed off saying, “This is not a new journey, nor a new beginning. But, this is a new promise of a great future for an ancient relationship.“