United Nations, Oct 17 With the India-Africa summit set for later this month in New Delhi, the “unique partnership” will strengthen in coming years, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative Baghwant Singh Bishnoi told the General Assembly Friday.
Speaking at a debate on New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Bishnoi said, “The similarity of our priorities and shared purpose provide Special strength and durability to our partnership.”
“India and Africa have long worked together to develop a common approach and joint endeavor to attain inclusive ecnoomic growth, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development,” he added.
“The multifaceted development partnership,” he said, “represents South-South cooperation in all its dimensions.”
He highlighted some aspects of India-Africa cooperation:
* In the last four years India has provided over 24,000 scholarships to African countries.
* Trade has increased 20 times over the last 15 years and doubled in the last five years to reach $ 72 billion in 2014-2015.
* Last year India unilaterally expanded its Duty Free Trade Preference Scheme for Least Developed Countries.
* Indian companies have invested between $30 billion and 35 billion across Africa.
* India has approved almost $9 billion in concessional credit has been approved for nearly 140 projects in more than 40 African countries over the last decade.
“The recognition that ending poverty is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development speaks directly to the imperative of keeping the interests and priorities of Africa at the centre of our efforts,” Bishnoi said.