Africa's Rise Reshaping Global Balance of Power: Jaishankar

Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Tuesday said that "the rise of Africa is central to global rebalancing", and therefore India's support for that process is "unstinted".

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized on Tuesday that the emergence of Africa holds utmost significance in the global redistribution. He further added that India remains unwavering in its commitment to support this transformative journey.

"Most of our embassies that we have opened in the last decade are in this continent," said the minister, speaking at the conferral of an honorary doctorate on visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at Delhi's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Talking about the economic relationship between India and Tanzania, he said it has always been a "strong pillar". Despite the "global disruptions and challenges" caused by the pandemic, Jaishankar said, bilateral trade has seen "strong growth" from both sides.

He was keen to emphasise that trade relations between India and Tanzania date back several centuries, when traders from the west coast of India first travelled along the sea route to East Africa for trade and commerce.

"In fact, when the honourable President met Prime Minister Modi yesterday, it was the link between our western coast, the state of Gujarat and Zanibar in particular that came up very much," he said.

The Minister emphasised that India, as the world's fifth-largest economy, has emerged as an "economic powerhouse" and offers opportunities for Tanzanian businessmen "to be part of our growth story".

It offers enormous opportunities for further cooperation and convergence between the two countries.

The Indian minister said: "We are only limited by our ambition. Our engagement with Tanzania, indeed with Africa as a whole, continues to be guided by the 10 principles enumerated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2018. In essence, it is cooperation based on the priorities of our partners."

India as Voice of Global South

He said that giving a voice to the Global South had been "the overriding concern of our G20 presidency", and that "you all know that we consulted with 125 countries at the Voice of the Global South Summit to ensure that the G20 addresses the fundamental issues of the developing world".

The Indian foreign minister described the African Union's admission to the G20 as a full member as "one of the great achievements of our presidency".

Scope for Peace, Security and Shipping Lanes in Indian Ocean

Today, the centre of gravity is shifting to the Indo-Pacific region, which includes the east coast of Africa.

The Minister said: "Our cooperation can make a remarkable contribution to maintaining peace, prosperity and security and ensuring safe, free and open shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean."

Education and Capacity Building

Describing education and capacity building as "important facets" of the bilateral relationship, Jaishankar said it was a matter of great pride for India that JNU was conferring an honorary doctorate on the Tanzanian president.

Jaishankar also said that India also hosts several Tanzanian students in India. "In our universities, young minds are brimming with confidence as they shape India's future through their start-ups, inventions and innovations... And I'm sure their Tanzanian student friends are obviously benefiting from this."

'Will Forever be Etched in My Memory'

While in Delhi, the Tanzanian President, Hassan, expressed that being bestowed with an honorary doctorate is an honor that she will cherish forever, as it is her first international recognition.

World News

India, Tanzania Strengthen Ties to Strategic Partnership Level: Modi

9 October 2023, 15:11