India

PM Modi discussed wide range issues over Asia-Africa growth corridor

PM Modi discussed wide range issues over Asia-Africa growth corridor

Today the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi met Patrice Talon the President of Benin, Daniel Kablan Duncan the Vice President of Ivory Coast and Macky Sall who is the President of the Republic of Senegal during the annual meeting to discuss some wide range issues. He pitched for an Asia-Africa growth corridor which is supported by Japan and India. This move has initiated after some days when China launched its ambitious OBOR (One Belt, One Road) initiative.

Declaring the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the African Development Bank Group open, which is being held for the first time in the country at Mahatma Mandir here, Modi stressed on stronger ties with African countries and said the continent is a top priority for India.

Prime Minister said in an inaugural speech that “India is working with Japan to support development in Africa. I recall my conversation with Japanese Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe when I was in Tokyo last year. “In our joint declaration, we mentioned about Asia-Africa growth corridor and proposed further conversation with our brothers and sisters of Africa,”. The pitch comes close on the heels of China launching its multi-billion dollar OBOR initiative, a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aims to connect the Eurasian landmass and Indo-Pacific maritime routes.

PM Modi counters OBOR with Asia-Africa growth corridor he said “After assuming office in 2014, I have made Africa a top priority for India’s foreign and economic policy,”  and told the gathering of 3,000 delegates mostly from Africa, which also included heads of state and senior government functionaries. He said India has in the last three years improved on all macroeconomic indicators. Both Africa and India share common challenges such as uplifting poor and empowering women, he pointed out. “We have to overcome these common challenges within the financial constraints,” Modi noted. He also suggested the African nations adopt some of the reforms that his government has implemented in recent times, such as direct subsidy transfer, LPG connection to poor, neem coating of urea and soil health card.

Invoking the bond between India and Africa since the colonial era, he said the ties have only become stronger. “Mahatma Gandhi, a Gujarati, perfected his tools of non-violence in South Africa. India had strong ties with Africa for centuries and it only became stronger with time. Africa is a top priority for India’s foreign and economic policy,” Modi said.

Those who shared the dais with Modi included Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of Benin Patrice Talon and Vice President of Ivory Coast Daniel Kablan Duncan, among others.

Whereas yesterday Union finance minister of India Arun Jaitley addressed on India-Africa cooperation and attended the meeting of African Development Bank

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Pallavi Parmar

Journalism is my profession, Blogging and Writing are my passion, Travelling is my love, Food is my life and Feminist by nature.