The summit aims at initiating joint developmental programmes for strengthening bi-lateral relations between the Indian and the African Economies. The summit was attended by various industry leaders from African Countries like the Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and President of the African Union, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare , Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Melas Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia amongst others. During the conclusion of the summit the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh said, “This is a historic Summit between India and countries representing the AU and the Regional Economic Communities of Africa. Over the last two days we have held extremely substantive and productive discussions on all issues which confront India and Africa. The Summit was held in an atmosphere of great friendship, warmth and sense of partnership.
The Summit has adopted the Delhi Declaration and the Africa-India Framework for Cooperation. These documents constitute the blueprint for our cooperation in the 21st Century. Our decision to expand unilateral duty free and preferential market access for exports from all 50 Least Developed Countries, 34 of which are in Africa, and our offer of lines of credit amounting to $5.4 billion are steps in this direction. The enhancement of our budget for technical assistance and training programmes and, greater opportunities for African students to pursue studies in India reflect the priority we attach to human resource development and capacity building. India has also begun to develop cooperation with the Regional Economic Communities of Africa and with the African Union (AU). India’s pan-African e-network project is an example of our cooperation at the continent wide level.
It is now time to plan ahead to implement the joint programmes of cooperation and to build a meaningful and productive Indo-African partnership. India looks forward to doing so with all the resources at our disposal. We greatly cherish the friendship and empathy that Africa has always shown to India. This is an asset to our foreign policy. We in turn hope that this Summit has enabled us to convey to the people of Africa India’s readiness to be a partner in their quest for stability, peace and prosperity”. During the summit it was also discussed to reduce import duties on non-industrial Diamonds from as much as 34 African Nations.
The Summit has adopted the Delhi Declaration and the Africa-India Framework for Cooperation. These documents constitute the blueprint for our cooperation in the 21st Century. Our decision to expand unilateral duty free and preferential market access for exports from all 50 Least Developed Countries, 34 of which are in Africa, and our offer of lines of credit amounting to $5.4 billion are steps in this direction. The enhancement of our budget for technical assistance and training programmes and, greater opportunities for African students to pursue studies in India reflect the priority we attach to human resource development and capacity building. India has also begun to develop cooperation with the Regional Economic Communities of Africa and with the African Union (AU). India’s pan-African e-network project is an example of our cooperation at the continent wide level.
It is now time to plan ahead to implement the joint programmes of cooperation and to build a meaningful and productive Indo-African partnership. India looks forward to doing so with all the resources at our disposal. We greatly cherish the friendship and empathy that Africa has always shown to India. This is an asset to our foreign policy. We in turn hope that this Summit has enabled us to convey to the people of Africa India’s readiness to be a partner in their quest for stability, peace and prosperity”. During the summit it was also discussed to reduce import duties on non-industrial Diamonds from as much as 34 African Nations.
The First India - Africa Forum summit held in New Delhi concluded successfully
Taking The Trade To New Dimensions