India stands ready to support Africa on its developmental priorities: MoS V Muraleedharan

Dakar: Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said that India stands ready to support Africa on its developmental priorities and is committed to its partnership with Africa in its journey towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063. He said, India has been supportive of a development paradigm that is Africa-led and Africa-owned. 

Mr Muraleedharan stated this yesterday in his address at the Plenary Session of the 8th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa on the topic - ‘Global crises and Sovereignty in Africa’. 

The Minister recalled that  Prime Minister  Narendra Modi in his address at the Ugandan Parliament in 2018 envisioned 10 principles for the India-Africa partnership. It included a development partnership that is anchored on supporting efforts of African states in their pursuit of comprehensive socio-economic development, always guided by Africa’s own priorities. 

Mr Muraleedharan mentioned that the deep bonds of solidarity between India and Africa represent a defining partnership of the Global South. It is a partnership that has been forged over several decades,



strengthened by long-standing trade and diaspora linkages, shared struggles against colonialism, and common developmental challenges.

 

He added that terrorist outfits and armed groups have for long posed a grave threat to Africa’s stability and sovereignty. He said, India has stood steadfast with Africa in addressing conflict situations through its uninterrupted contributions of Indian peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping Missions. He said, currently, Indian peacekeepers are serving in almost all UN peacekeeping missions in the African continent.

Speaking about Covid Vaccines, Mr Muraleedharan said that India donated these vaccines to many countries across the world including 39 million doses to Africa. He added that substantial quantities of India-made vaccines have also been part of the WHO COVAX facility. He said, India has also offered to share its COWIN app, a digital open platform for universal vaccination including monitoring of vaccine utilization and coverage.

 

Mr Muraleedharan was on a two-day visit to Senegal from 24th of this month  to participate in the 8th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security.