India today assured all possible assistance to 11 African countries which have sought help in development projects besides in the field of capacity building for their defence forces.
During her meeting with the leaders from the African countries-- Togo, Sierra Leone, Congo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Sao Tome & Principe, Liberia, Guinea, Sudan and Senegal-- besides chairperson of African Union Council - External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also raised the issue of five Indians languishing in Togo on alleged piracy charges since July 2013.
The Togo Foreign Minister assured Swaraj that they will look into various possibilities which would involve either early conclusion of the case or a possible presidential pardon.
Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, the three countries hit most by the Ebola outbreak, thanked India for assistance both bilaterally and through the UN.
MEA Joint Secretary (West Africa) Sanjeev Kohli said India had extended USD 12.65 million assistance to fight the deadly disease.
Liberian Foreign Minister made a special reference to the all women Indian CRPF contingent which continued to stay there at the peak of Ebola outbreak.
The Minister said that the all women Indian contingent had inspired a lot of Liberian women to join police and defence forces in the country.
Namibia thanked India for assistance in capacity building through various training initiatives and scholarships.
"And there was a reference to possible supply of uranium. But that was in very general terms. They said they have set up a national company now, and probably a dialogue could be initiated with that national company," Kohli said.
Apart from various ongoing developmental projects, the Foreign Minister of Niger briefed Swaraj on the threats to the region from various militant groups, in particular the Boko Haram.
"Again she (Niger Minister) wanted Indian assistance in capacity building for their defence forces and we have responded positively. We said we will look at their specific requirements. She also requested for some additional line of credit," Kohli said.
Foreign Minister of Sao Tome & Principe, a small island nation, sought Indian assistance in capacity building and for projects in IT sector.
They also wanted Indian assistance in SME sector and also for setting up a centre of excellence for teaching English language, Kohli said.
Senegal, with which India has a very substantive relationship both on the political and commercial front, requested for some new projects which Swaraj has promised will receive priority consideration.
"They also want our assistance for a national railway network that they are planning," Kohli said.
