A very warm embrace of welcome and friendship from India. Today, it is not just a meeting of India and Africa. Today, the dreams of one-third of humanity have come together under one roof. Today, the heart beat of 1.25 billion Indians and 1.25 billion Africans are in rhythm.
We are among the world's oldest civilisations. We are each a vibrant mosaic of languages, religions and cultures. Generations of Indians and Africans have travelled to each other's land in search of their destiny or by the force of circumstances. Either way, we have enriched each other and strengthened our ties.
We have lived in the long shadow of colonialism. And, we have fought for our liberty and our dignity. We have struggled for opportunity, and also for justice, which, the African wisdom describes, is the prime condition of humanity.
We have spoken in one voice in the world; and, we have formed a partnership for prosperity among ourselves. We have stood together under blue helmets to keep peace. And, we have fought together against hunger and disease.
And, as we look to the future, there is something precious that unites us: it is our youth. Two-thirds of India and two-thirds of Africa are under the age of 35 years. And, if the future belongs to the youth, then this century is ours to shape and build.
Excellencies, Africa is already on that path.
We are all familiar with Africa's ancient achievements. Now, its modern strides are catching the attention of the world. The continent is more settled and stable. African nations are coming together to take responsibility for their development, peace and security.
African struggles and sacrifices are upholding democracy, combating extremism and empowering women. Women now constitute around 20 per cent of the elected members of parliament in Africa. To one who has played a role in that, President (Ellen John) Sirleaf, I extend our best wishes on your birthday today.
Africa's economic growth has gathered momentum and has a more diversified base. African initiatives are replacing old faultlines with new bridges of regional economic integration.
We see many successful examples of economic reforms, infrastructure development and sustainable use of resources. They are turning adrift economies into dynamic ones. Four hundred thousand new businesses were registered in Africa in 2013; and, mobile telephone now reaches 95 per cent of the population in many places.
Africa is now joining the global mainstream of innovation. The mobile banking of M-Pesa, the health care innovation of MedAfrica, or the agriculture innovation of AgriManagr and Kilimo Salama, are using mobile and digital technology to transform lives in Africa.
We see strong measures that are radically improving health care, education and agriculture. Primary school enrolment in Africa now exceeds 90 per cent. And, across its magnificent landscape, Africa is setting standards in wildlife conservation and eco-tourism. Africa's sports, art and music delight the entire world.
Yes, Africa, like the rest of the developing world, has its development challenges. And, like others in the world, it has its own concerns of security and stability, especially from terrorism and extremism. But, I have confidence in the African leadership and the African people to rise to those challenges.
India is honoured to be a development partner for Africa. It is a partnership beyond strategic concerns and economic benefits. It is formed from the emotional bonds we share and the solidarity we feel for each other.
In less than a decade, our trade has more than doubled to over $70 billion. India is now a major source of business investments in Africa. Today, 34 African countries enjoy duty free access to the Indian market. African energy helps run the engine of the Indian economy; its resources are powering our industries and African prosperity offers a growing market for Indian products.
India has committed $7.4 billion in concessional credit and $1.2 billion in grant since the first India-Africa Summit in 2008. It is creating 100 capacity-building institutions, and developing infrastructure, public transport, clean energy, irrigation, agriculture and manufacturing capacity across Africa. In the last three years alone, nearly 25,000 young Africans have been trained and educated in India. They are the 25,000 new links between us.
Excellencies, there are times when we have not done as well as you have wanted us to. There have been occasions when we have not been as attentive as we should be. There are commitments we have not fulfilled as quickly as we should have. But, you have always embraced India with warmth, and without judgement. You have rejoiced in our success, and taken pride in our achievements. And, you have stood for us in the world. This is the strength of our partnership and our friendship.
We will help connect Africa from Cairo to Cape Town, from Marrakesh to Mombassa; help develop your infrastructure, power and irrigation; help add value to your resources in Africa; and set up industrial and information technology parks.
Excellencies, as the great Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka insisted, human entity remains the primary asset in overall development. Our approach is based on the same belief: that the best partnership is one that develops human capital and institutions; that equips and empowers a nation to have the freedom to make its own choices and shoulder the responsibility for its own progress. It also opens doors to opportunities for the youth.
The Egyptian Nobel Prize-winning writer Naguib Mahfouz said, "Science brings people together with the light of its ideas… and prods us towards a better future." There can be no better expression of the ability of science to unify people and advance progress.
So, technology will be a strong foundation of our partnership. It will help develop Africa's agriculture sector. Africa has 60 per cent of the world's arable land reserves, and just 10 per cent of the global output. Agriculture in Africa can drive the continent's march to prosperity, and also support global food security.
India's expertise in health care and affordable medicines can offer new hope in the fight against many diseases and give a newborn a better chance to survive. We will also collaborate to develop Indian and African treasures of traditional knowledge and medicines.
We will make available our space assets and technology. We will use the possibilities of digital technology to transform development, public services, governance, disaster response, resource management and quality of life.
Edited excerpts from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to African heads of state at the India-Africa summit, in New Delhi, October 29, 2015
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper
