Honored as “First Prime Minister” to address Parliament of Uganda, PM Modi chalks out 10 principles for solidifying India-Africa relations

Kampala, July 25: Associating India and Africa’s journey of freedom in the quest to attain liberty, dignity, equality, and opportunity for every human being, the two countries have shared a close bond in the fight against injustice and attain sovereignty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asserted as the first Prime Minister of India to address in the Parliament of Uganda. Enchanting Uganda as ‘Pearl of Africa’, PM Modi recalled the era of independence when India and Africa stood strong by each other in their quest for freedom. Boosting economy and trade with the nation, PM Modi also highlighted the opportunities chalked for the youth propelling employment generation facilities.

PM Modi commended Africa’s contribution associated with India and also assured that India’s engagement with Africa will help strengthen relations based on these 10 principles.

Africa will be at the top of our priorities

India will continue to intensify and deepen our engagement with Africa and is proud to be Africa’s partner. The story of India’s own freedom struggle is closely linked to Africa. India stood on the threshold of independence and Mahatma Gandhi firmly believed that India’s freedom will remain incomplete so long as Africa remains in bondage. India pursued Afro-Asian solidarity in Bandung and has also stood firm in opposition to apartheid in South Africa.

Our development partnership will be guided by your priorities

The partnership will be on terms that will be comfortable for you, that will liberate as we rely on African talent and skills. We will build as much local capacity and create as many local opportunities as possible. The countries economic and international partnerships over the past seven decades have been prompted as much by economic impulse as by the moral principles and emotional bonds. It is a region with growing trade and investment.

Our markets are open and make it easier and more attractive to trade with India

We will harness India’s experience with the digital revolution to support Africa’s development

India aims to improve the delivery of public services; extend education and health; spread digital literacy; expand financial inclusion; and mainstream the marginalized. This will not just be our partnership to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but also to equip the youth of Africa for their place in the digital age. Africa also is seeing a surge of innovation the same as India. Africa's exports to India are growing. And, our economic ties are now increasingly driven by new partnerships of innovation in the digital economy. The Pan Africa E-Network links 48 African countries to India, and to one another. It can become the new backbone for digital innovation in Africa.

Supporting by improving Africa’s agriculture

Africa has 60% of the world’s arable land but produces just 10% of the global output. We will work with you to improve Africa’s agriculture. PM Modi announced two Lines of Credit for Uganda during their high-level delegation talks. In this, the first is ought to be of 141 million US dollars for electricity lines, and the second, of 64 million US dollars for agriculture and dairy production.

Our partnership will address the challenges of climate change

We will work with Africa to ensure a just international climate order; to preserve our biodiversity; and, adopt clean and efficient energy sources. PM Modi complimented President Museveni and this House on the decision to join the International Solar Alliance. India is also privileged to host many African leaders for the inaugural summit of the International Solar Alliance.

We will strengthen our cooperation and mutual capabilities

Strengthening cooperation and mutual capabilities in combating terrorism and extremism; keeping our cyberspace safe and secure; and, supporting the UN in advancing and keeping the peace. Indian soldiers have served in blue helmets so that Africa’s children can look to a future of peace. PM Modi said over 6,000 Indians serve in five peacekeeping operations in Africa. Indian women established a landmark with the first all-female Police Unit of the United Nations in Liberia. Our defense and security cooperation is growing with nations in Africa, as we work together to counter terrorism and piracy and keep our seas secure.

We will work with African nations to improve maritime relations

India will help to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations. The world needs cooperation and not competition in the eastern shores of Africa and the eastern Indian Ocean. That is why India’s vision of Indian Ocean Security is cooperative and inclusive, rooted insecurity and growth for all in the region. With several coastal nations, our partnership now increasingly seeks to harness the benefits of Blue Economy in a sustainable manner.

Aspiring Africa to become a nursery for the ambitious youth

PM Modi especially emphasized on this and termed it is especially important to him: as global engagement in Africa increases, we must all work together to ensure that Africa does not once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions, but becomes a nursery for the aspirations of Africa’s youth. India and Africa stand on the threshold of a future of great promise: as confident, secure, youthful, innovative, and dynamic people.

Continuing rock strong bond India and Africa stand together against all odds

India and Africa fought against colonial rule together; the two countries will work together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice and a role for one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India.