The Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) the leading Indian think tank organised IDSA National Seminar on India – Africa Partnership: What the Future Holds on 28 April 2010 at New Delhi.

This 1-day seminar was spread across 3 sessions namely: session I on Regional Strategic Environment, session II on Political – Security Dimensions and session III on Economic and Cultural Dimensions.

The Seminar was attended by Shri Shashank, Foreign Secretary & Chairman, Africa Studies Association, Mr. Gurjit Singh, Joint Secretary, (E & SA), Ministry of External Affairs and Mr. Ausaf Sayeed, Joint Secretary (WA), Ministry of External Affairs, senior faculty members of various Indian universities along with representatives of IDSA.

The IDSA extended a special invitation to OIA Chairman, Ambassador V. B. Soni to chair session III on “Economic and Cultural Dimensions”. While introducing him the organizers specifically remarked that Ambassador Soni is one of the movers and shakers in Delhi on the India-African economic scene.

We bring you full coverage of Ambassador V. B. Soni's speech at the IDSA National Seminar:

Session III: “Economic and Cultural Dimensions” Presided over by Ambassador V.B. Soni, Chairman, Overseas Infrastructure Alliance (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Opening remarks by Ambassador V.B. Soni

Africa is positively moving forward in its march towards modernization. In this it needs the support and help of its friends and well wishers. India feels privileged to be its natural partner in this journey.

For centuries peoples from India and Africa carried on maritime trade leading to cultural exchanges. India-Africa Partnership is guided by similar vision and path, similar values and similar dreams specially while addressing the global challenge of poverty.

India arrived on the international arena following its spectacular economic progress since it liberalization and opening up its economy in the early nineteen nineties. It is the second fastest growing economy in the world attaining a rate of 8-9 % sustained over a period of years. Even during the recent so called global meltdown Indian economy never grew less than 6 %. This has opened up many avenues for it to go beyond its boundaries to help out fellow developing countries in the spirit of South-South cooperation.

India is convinced that unless African countries are helped in their development process global poverty alleviations process will not be able to make any significant dent. India has accordingly initiated Focus Africa programme. The partnership is being promoted at three levels:

Government;
Institutional; and
Enterprise.

At the Government level the highpoint was in April 2008 when India Africa Summit was launched in New Delhi. Many influential African Heads of State/Government gathered together hosted by Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. A Framework Cooperation Agreement signed at the Summit has given concrete shape to what the two regions have discussed over the past decades.

India committed itself to transferring skills and knowledge to the African youth. The technical training slots under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme was increased from 1100 for Africa to 1600 per year. The scholarship for Africa students was doubled. Pan African e Network project has given Africa a great opportunity to bridge the digital divide and to further telemedicine and distance learning programmes that are linked to Indian Universities.

At the Forum Summit India announced a Free Preferential Scheme for least developed countries 30 out of 50 of whom are in Africa. They can thus utilize this facility.

India undertook to establish in Africa India-Africa Institute of Foreign Trade, India-Africa Diamond Institute, India-Africa Institute of Information Technology, India-Africa Institute of Education Planning and Administration, Pan-African Stock Exchange and India Vocational Training Centres. These institutions will be equipped and maintained for three years by India.

The host countries responsibility will be to facilitate their establishment and sustenance including:

Land for the Institutions;
Building Infrastructure;
Budgetary provision for recurring costs;
Governance structures for administration and running of the Institutions; and Business Plan for future development and sustainability.

To help bridge the resource crunch which most African countries are facing Indian Prime Minister announced that an amount of $ 5.4 billion as Line of Credit spread over five years will be given to African countries on soft terms. This loan through EXIM Bank of India for financing projects and other infrastructure activity through Indian companies has proved to be very popular with African countries and there is an ever increasing demand for it.

The second level of Partnership between India and Africa at the institutional level needs to be briefly mentioned. The Business Chambers in the two regions have an equally important role to play. In this various Indian Business Chambers like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have been playing a pivotal role. At regular intervals Partnership Conclaves between the two sides are being organized both in India and in the various regions in Africa

A multi pronged target of increasing trade, investment and development activities requires sustained and concerted efforts. Chambers have been keeping up the momentum by putting up the Africa agenda in the forefront of Indian companies. Their efforts have been to continuously create programmes and platforms to encourage Africans to meet with Indian parties. Breaking perceptions and creating confidence has been the first step in increased business engagement.