India and Africa spoke in one voice to advocate reforms in
global institutions like the United Nations. Africa’s voice represents more
than a quarter of UN members and India the world’s largest democracy has one
sixth of humanity. The Prime Minister of India Mr.Narendra Modi spoke in these
words at the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi. This was
the largest assembly having representation for all 54 African countries
including over 40 heads of state/ government. PM Modi said that with the rapid
progress India and Africa have mode in recent times, UN Security Council can’t
leave them behind and must reform and expand the Security Council to include
India and countries from Africa.
Foreign Minister of Sudan Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour spoke in
the same voice and asked India to take the lead to change the world order. He
referred to the issue of reform of the United Nations and its institutions, top
of them being the Security Council.
President of the
Republic of Sudan Field Marshall Omar Al-Bashir said that United Nations is 70
years old but needs to strengthen without discrimination and needs to respect
the laws of the countries. He added that India and Africa can coordinate and
show the right direction to the United Nations.
President Omar Bashir emphasized that the presence of India
and South Africa in the BRICS nations can further benefit the African nations
in South-South dialogues for the economic and political independence and
progress. He said that we can look into new horizons of monetary systems with
our own currencies especially with Indian Rupees as a solution for debt
repayments.
President Bashir mentioned that geographically Sudan is
strategically located for entry into East Africa with vast fertile land for
agriculture and promise for food security. India with its rich experience in
the field of Agricultural research, food seeds and other agricultural products
can benefit Sudan and Africa.
Sudan’s soldiers and the Indian army fought hand in hand in
North Africa during Second World War. Later India played a significant role to
recognize Sudan at the Bandung conference in Indonesia in 1955. Since then
India and Sudan has had good relations with each other and India has invested
in Sudan in several projects particularly in Petroleum, Minerals and Sugar.
President Bashir expressed that both India and Sudan have diversity in its people
and culture and Sudan has adopted the effective Indian Federal system of
Government since 1994.
President Bashir is very hopeful that this 3rd
India Africa Forum Summit will further strengthen relations between Sudan and
India and bring about a strategic alliance between the two nations.
The Prime Minister of India offered a concessional credit of
$10 billion over the next five years to Africa. This is in addition to India’s
ongoing credit programme of $7.4 billion in concessional credit and $1.2
billion in grant to Africa since the first India Africa summit in 2008. In
addition a grant assistance of $600 million has been offered which includes an
India-Africa Development Fund of $100 million and an India-Africa Health Fund
of $10million. This will also include 50,000 scholarships in India through the
next five years. It will also support the pan-Africa e-network and institutions
of training and learning across Africa.
Sudanese people in general are very happy with the visit of
their President to India. Many have appreciated the ornamental chair gifted to
President Omar Bashir at New Delhi by the International Sikh Council.
The seeds for a rich harvest have been sown in this Summit;
what remains to be seen is how much will transform into the fruits of reality for
Sudan.
