Pretoria - The Delhi Declaration and the India-Africa Framework for the Strategic Cooperation has been adopted by 41 Heads of State and Government from the African continent and others who attended the Third India-Africa Forum Summit.
These outcome documents cover key priority areas for cooperation.
They cover areas such as economic development; trade and Industry; agriculture; energy; the blue/ocean economy; infrastructure; education and skills development; health; and peace and security.
President Jacob Zuma was one of the African leaders who attended the summit in New Delhi, India from 26 to 29 October 2015.
The President said the aim of the India-Africa Summit was to ensure a renewed focus on the strategic partnership and implementation of the agreed areas of cooperation.
"In summary, the summit was characterised by an enthusiasm from both sides to take the relationship forward. The summit reflected on the historical ties between India and Africa, especially India's support for liberation struggles on the continent and how this relationship evolved to become the embodiment of South-South Cooperation.”
He said skills development and information communication technology (ICT) was discussed, among other things.
“India has a role to play in imparting skills to Africa so as to contribute to the technological development and socio-economic improvement of many countries on the continent,” said President Zuma.
At the summit, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that US$600 million will be earmarked for development support to Africa.
President Zuma said the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Committee is responsible for development projects on the continent. "Therefore, the African Union [AU] will distribute the funds accordingly where finances are required to support crucial AU development projects," he said.
The President said Africa sought mutually beneficial economic and trade relations with partners such as India and other countries of the South.
For example, current infrastructure development projects on the continent are geared towards boosting intra-African trade and regional integration.
"In the next five years, we will see a growing India-Africa partnership with increased business relations between Indian and African companies in priority projects that will help us move forward." – SAnews.gov.za
