India is keen to forge cooperation with resource-rich southern African countries of Zambia, Malawi and Botswana in the field of mineral exploration and play a major role in their economic development, Vice President Hamid Ansari said today.
Ansari, who was on a week-long trip to the three nations, told reporters accompanying him that the visit had been useful and satisfactory.
Asked what would be the future roadmap for India-Africa relations, he referred to the 2008 summit between the two sides, saying the country is incrementally moving towards the targets laid down then. "We have done our bit to continue that dialogue and find locations of opportunities."
He also dismissed the suggestion there was any difference in India's policy towards North Africa and South Africa saying "I don't think so... We treat African Union as one entity... North African countries are equally members of the AU."
"The impression that I take back from the visit to the three countries is that there is goodwill and keenness to enhance the level of relations with us and get more involved with us in the development of business and industry.
"... The direction in which the Indian economy is going, the major role will be played by private sector, especially in industrial development," he said.
Ansari also said India is looking at bilateral cooperation in mineral exploration in these countries, like for uranium and coal.
A developing country like ours wants access to resources, be it oil, gas or minerals. Not every mineral, but those that are in short supply. Those are things we are looking at. In Malawi, we looked at coal and uranium. This is not only in Southern Africa but elsewhere also. It is part of our national policy to ensure that the resources we need are available," Ansari said replying to a query while returning home.
On whether India was looking for any cooperation with diamond-rich Botswana, the Vice President said,"In Botswana, we have initiated discussions and we will continue with them."
Ansari had visited the Diamond Trading Company in Botswana twice during his three-day visit there.
Asked whether the issue of cooperation between India and Botswana in the sphere of diamond mining was discussed, Secretary (West) of Ministry of External Affairs Vivek Katju had earlier replied in negative, saying "there was no discussion, specifically on diamonds".
The Vice President also rejected the notion that there was apprehension that Indian presence in the region could lead to locals losing their jobs.
"I don't think so. Obviously local employment will be generated if you establish any industry. Look at the hotel Taj in Lusaka. How many Indian workers were there? When we go for large investments like this, we don't take large work forces from our country. We focus on management and financial control. Vedanta employs 21,000 people in Zambia of which 111 are Indians. It doesn't make economic sense to take work force from India because it comes with liabilities."
The Vice President also expressed satisfaction that people of the Indian origin living in the three countries have developed an excellent rapport with the local people and government.
"In all three countries, leaders went out of their way to record their appreciation of Indians. (There was) no suggestion at any point that there was any point of contention or grievance with regard to the Indian community. This is a matter of great satisfaction," he said.
To a question about the delay by public sector in carrying out promised work in these countries like the alleged delay in an ONGC project in Nigeria, the Vice President said he was not aware of the specific project, but maintained that "ONGC has an excellent track record. I don't think there is a general problem with public sector".
The Vice President was very happy with the outcome of his visit to Botswana. He said that he was very honoured that Botswana President Lt Gen Sereste Khama Ian Khama rescheduled his vacations in order to hold talks with him.
"Substance of the matter is that Botswana – despite having a certain kind of wealth – has severe problems of unemployment, poverty and development. That is where their whole national planning is focused and this is where we can give them assistance. This is within the framework of the Africa policy and India-Africa Summit," Ansari said.
He said India is in a position to render assistance in areas like agricultural development, vocational training and provide trained professionals for specialised jobs.
"We are either already doing this or have no difficulty doing it. Government will upgrade the level of assistance," Ansari said.
He noted that India has also been helping Botswana by training their defence forces.
Botswana President and Vice President had a great appreciation for the role of Indian defence forces in this regard, Ansari said.
Meanwhile, official sources said the country is likely to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding on Zoological Resources in Malawi and another for vocational training in construction in Botswana.
The government also hopes to set up a human settlement institute in Botswana soon, which is as per the decision taken in the India-Africa summit of 2008.
