Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted India’s growing ties with Africa, emphasizing diplomatic expansions and developmental initiatives during Africa Day celebrations in New Delhi. Jaishankar, emphasized the country’s unwavering commitment to Africa, stating that as the world’s largest democracy and fifth-largest economy, it views Africa as a natural and indispensable partner. He expressed joy in addressing Africa Day celebrations in New Delhi.
Highlighting bilateral engagements, Jaishankar mentioned India’s efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties, including the extension of e-visa facilities to 33 African countries and the inauguration of 16 new diplomatic missions across the continent. This expansion brings the total number of Indian missions in Africa to 45, underscoring India’s enhanced diplomatic presence.
Jaishankar highlighted India’s significant contributions to developmental initiatives, including 206 completed projects in 43 African countries and ongoing projects valued at over $12.37 billion under concessional credit lines, highlighting India’s proactive approach to fostering collaboration with African nations across sectors. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), emphasizing India’s role in capacity building under the India-Africa Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. He noted that over the past decade, ITEC has trained approximately 40,000 African professionals in various fields in India.
