Technology has been at the centre of India's development partnership with countries in Africa, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Monday, underlining that India is keen to share its digital revolution with Africa to enhance the well-being of its people.
Addressing the National Assembly of Benin, President Kovind said that following the success of Pan-African E-network initiative, India now looks forward to the implementation of the E-Vidya Bharati and E-Arogya Bharati initiative with Benin.
"India is happy to share its digital revolution with Africa to enhance the well - being of its people and, in particular, empower its youth. Few days ago, we successfully launched our second Moon Mission Chandrayan Two.
"The scientific gains from our space programme have allowed us to strengthen communication, resource mapping and disaster management capacities in several African countries," he said.
Kovind, who arrived here on Sunday on the first leg of his three-nation tour, is the first Indian head of state to visit the West African nation.
The President said the ties between India and Benin are bound by a shared political trajectory.
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"We both fought for freedom from the tentacles of colonialism and today are committed to deepen our democratic roots," he said.
He said India led the efforts to establish a Slave Trade Memorial at UN in New York and thanked Benin for its support towards global recognition of the indenture labour heritage.
He said that as fellow democracies, India and Benin have much to share. "We deeply appreciate the strengthening of democratic roots in this country. The political journey you began in the 1990s has come a long way. Its uninterrupted consolidation over the last 30 years, in a complex and strife-torn region, is a shining example for many to follow."
"The Gulf of Guinea has been a corridor of prosperity. Its safety and security are seminal for our continued growth and partnership."
"We must also work together to make global governance more equitable, and for this stronger multilateralism needs to be guaranteed."