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Volume 48, No. 2 May-July 2008

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India-Africa Summit A new chapter in India-Africa ties Inclusive development through citizens Bridging information gap " ALSO in the issue: ! Profile: Judge Navanethem Pillay ! Revisiting Mandu ! ! !

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Indian Journal of African Affairs Volume 48 No. 2, May-July 2008

INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS NEW DELHI

Q U A R T E R L Y

contents

A F R I C A

MARRY INDIA’S EXPERTISE WITH AFRICAS RESOURCES

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If India’s experience and expertise is married to Africa’s vast natural resources, this will result in the accelerated development of Africa, Ghana’s President John Agyekum Kufuor tells Manish Chand in an interview.

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REVISITING A TIME-TESTED RELATIONSHIP

Africa and India share a relationship that go back over two millennia, beginning with trade. Today, Zambia, one of Africa's leading countries, and India, seek to walk shoulder to shoulder in the 21st century, says Kamini Krishna.

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INDIA-AFRICA: THE WAY FORWARD

The India-Africa summit is the beginning of a process of how India can evolve its partnership with Africa to meet common challanges, says India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

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Q U A R T E R L Y

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THE CENTURY OF ASIA AND AFRICA

The summit marks the start of a new chapter in the history of cooperation between India and Africa, says Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

45 TRANSFORMING the reality of the present An emerging India is better placed than most to help transform Africa, says Ato Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia.

09 NEWS & EVENTS: Indian NGO conferred international award for battling AIDS

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INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CITIZENS

People to people cooperation can form the basis of a credible framework for sustainable bilateral cooperation, says South African President Thabo Mbeki.

A Mumbai-based NGO working for the rights of sex workers was among the five community organisations from India, Ghana, Iran, Malawi and Mexico that received the Red Ribbon Awards for their role in battling HIV/AIDS.

12 WOMAN POWER: With Indian-origin woman envoy, Uganda makes a point

Uganda’s current High Commissioner to India comes as a surprise. For, Uganda’s representative in India, Nimisha Madhvani, is the first woman envoy of Indian origin from an African country.

65 BOOKS & IDEAS 71 DOCUMENTS 79 CONTRIBUTORS MANDU: HIDDEN AND FORGOTTEN

Mandu is a celebration in stone, of life and joy, of the love of the poet-King Baz Bahadur for his beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati.

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A F R I C A

Q U A R T E R L Y

Rates of Subscription Annual Three-year Subscription Subscription Rs. 100.00 Rs. 250.00 US $40.00 US $100.00 £16.0 £40.0 (Including airmail postage) Subscription rates as above payable in advance preferably by bank draft/MO in favour of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.

Printed and Published by Pavan K. Varma Director-General Indian Council for Cultural Relations Azad Bhavan, Indraprastha Estate New Delhi - 110002 Editor: Manish Chand Cover Design: IANS ISBN 0001-9828 6

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), founded in 1950 to strengthen cultural ties and promote understanding between India and other countries, functions under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. As part of its effort, the Council publishes, apart from books, six periodicals in five languages –– English quarterlies (Indian Horizons and Africa Quarterly), Hindi Quarterly (Gagananchal), Arabic Quarterly (Thaqafat-ul-Hind), Spanish bi-annual (Papeles de la India) and French bi-annual (Recontre Avec l’Inde).

Africa Quarterly (Indian Journal of African Affairs) is published every three months.

The views expressed in the articles included in this journal are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ICCR. All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any from or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the ICCR.

Editorial correspondence and manuscripts, including book reviews, should be addressed to: The Editor Africa Quarterly Indian Council for Cultural Relations Azad Bhavan Indraprastha Estate New Delhi-110 002 E-mail: africa.quarterly@gmail.com

May-July 2008

A F R I C A

Q U A R T E R L Y

■ From the Editor’s Desk

Transformation is the new mantra

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t was a rare congruence of political will, an inexhaustible appetite for commerce and ideas and a shared vision of forging a more just and equitable global world that brought leaders from 14 African countries to the Indian capital in early April, marking the first continent-level engagement between India and Africa — home to one-third of the world’s humanity.

Christened the India-Africa Forum Summit, 14 African countries and the African Union Commission, which participated in the summit, representing different regions imbued this conclave with a pan-African character. The two-day summit concluded with the two all-embracing documents — The Delhi Declaration and the Framework for India -Africa Cooperation — that firmed up a blueprint for a more vigorous and diversified partnership between the two sides.

These documents covered just about every area of partnership ranging from agriculture, trade and infrastructure to energy, science and technology and cultural exchanges that have the potential to transform the lives of over two billion people who live in India and Africa. Transformation was the reigning mantra at the conclave: transforming the nature of India-Africa relationship to make it a powerful vehicle of economic liberation of the peoples of India and Africa and transforming the world order by bringing their combined weight to bear on pressing global issues of our times.

The tenor of the summit recalled the prophetic words of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who South Africans are fond of saying, and justly, that their country transformed a young barrister into ‘Mahatma’ as it was in South Africa that Gandhi’s life-long journey for justice and freedom began. “Commerce between India and Africa will be of ideas and services, not of manufacturing goods against raw materials after the fashion of western exploiters,” Gandhi had said memorably decades ago. In the summer of 2008, these words acquired a powerful resonance as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh exchanged notes and ideas with 14 African leaders to refashion the India-Africa partnership and bring it to its original inspiration: the quest for justice, parity and mutual growth and prosperity.

This special issue of Africa Quarterly revisits the two-day summit and explores its ramifications for the future of a more contemporary partnership between Indians and Africans who had known each other as co-combatants against colonialism and exploitation and have been discovering themselves afresh as traders, partners and scriptwriters of their own destinies. As the next summit will be held in 2011, we decided to include edited versions of speeches of leaders participating in the summit and the two documents that will serve as a reference point for diplomats,

researchers, journalists and all those who have a stake in the flowering of this relationship.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni captured the essence of this summit when he underlined the spirit of the India-Africa partnership: “This summit is a God-given opportunity for Africa and India to revive and redefine this relationship for further transformation of our societies.

There is, indeed, no supplicant in this relationship — we all come together to chart out a way forward on mutual cooperation.” This passion for justice and equity burned bright in another memorable speech by Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi. “The partnership we now seek to re-establish too must be based on transforming the present reality that is patently unjust and untenable,” he said. South African president Thabo Mbeki, too, spoke about the liberating potential of India-Africa solidarity on world fora. Senegal president Abdoulaye Wade underlined the new focus on economic liberation. “Today, we are carrying on together with the fight on the economic and social solidarity front, both being indispensable for the liberation of our peoples, because political independence, just like an incomplete symphony, will still remain as an incomplete undertaking if economic sovereignty is not achieved.”

Prime minister Manmohan Singh aptly summed up this mutuality of interests: “It is our intention to become a close partner in Africa’s resurgence.” Calling for creating “a new architecture for our engagement in the 21st century,” that is “anchored in the fundamental principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit,” Singh added, “Working together, the two billion people of India and Africa can set an example of fruitful cooperation in the developing world.”

In any relationship, conversation matters. That’s why it is imperative to work on the quality of conversation and make sure one communicates exactly what one wishes to.

The India-Africa Editors’ Conference, held in the run-up to the summit, underscored this need for building bridges and connecting cultures. “The introduction of new ideas, the analysis of different trends, the protection and promotion of democracy, the encouragement of civil society and the exposure of corrupt practices are only some of the areas in which the media can play the lead role,” India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at the editor’s conclave, putting ideas once again at the forefront of the interaction between India and Africa in an increasingly wired world, powered by old and new media that thrives on their capacity to create images.

Don’t let images cloud the reality but keep the conversation between India and Africa fresh and flowing. And feel free to share your opinions and critiques.

Manish Chand

May-July 2008

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Tata scholarships for South African varsity

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prestigious scholarship programme announced in Johannesburg on August 5 will see Tata Africa providing funding to allow postgraduate students at the University of Witwatersrand to research projects for the benefit of citizens across the continent.

Raman Dhawan, managing director of Tata Africa, presented the awards to students in various fields whom he referred to as “the future leaders of this country and continent”.

“The Tata Group has always believed in returning wealth to the society that it serves. Tata believes that no success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people and is achieved by fair and honest means,” Dhawan said.

Offering advice from his personal experience to the graduates, Dhawan urged them to resist corruption at all costs and to “give back to society when you become hotshot executives. Avoid

any form of corruption and gain respect as leaders”.

Dhawan said this could be easily accomplished if the graduates followed the values that Tata firmly believes in — integrity, understanding, excellence, unity and responsibility.

This is the third year that Tata Africa has provided the scholarships, with 39 students at Witwatersrand University who are financially challenged and have a proven academic track record.

Loyiso Nongxa, vice-chancellor and principal, lauded the efforts of Indian companies to develop partnerships with academic institutions.

“I made two distinctive observations (during his recent rip to India), which speak directly to the establishment of these prestigious awards — the investment by corporations and the private sector into higher education and knowledge institutions and the emphasis on producing quality teaching, learning and research (academic excellence) despite

socio-economic disparities.” Rob Moore, deputy vice-chancellor (Advancement and Partnerships), said the partnership between Tata Africa and the university represented a new trend in the field of corporate social investment, incorporating the triple bottom line reporting of society, environment and profit.

In addition to the Tata Africa scholarships, Tata has donated a top-of-therange off-road vehicle for use in the Ndlela Research and Clinical Trials Unit, a major rural community health project run by the university’s School of Public Health. It was established in 2006 to conduct clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of HIV and related diseases like tuberculosis in rural South Africa.

The university has enjoyed a strong relationship with Tata Consulting Services and negotiations are underway for it to partner Tata in an extensive programme to provide access to technology for marginalised communities.

Ambika Soni leads historic Gandhi march in South Africa

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ndia’s Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni joined a number of South African community leaders in leading a march in Johannesburg on August 16 to commemorate the centenary of an historic march of Mahatma Gandhi against oppressive discriminatory laws.

The march was a part of a series of events organised by the Indian Mission in conjunction with a host of community bodies. The original march was prompted by the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance of August 1906, requiring any person of Indian origin to register by a certain date or forego the right to live in then Transvaal province of South Africa.

Every Indian man, woman or child older than eight years was required to register with a government official called the Registrar of

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Asiatics.

This registrar would also take the fingerprints of the people registered and issue them with registration certificates, which they had to show to any policeman who asked to see them. An Indian who could not produce a certificate could be fined and sent to prison. Outraged by this new discriminatory law, the Transvaal Indian Congress asked Gandhi, then resident in Durban, to come to Transvaal to assist in fighting this injustice legally.

Among Gandhi’s first actions was to publish an interpretation of the

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new Act in Indian languages, pointing out how insulting the law was in demanding that Indians give prints of their ten fingers, as if they were criminals. Gandhi was also instrumental in engaging with and getting the support of the Chinese community, to whom these laws also applied.

But probably Gandhi’s most famous tool for resistance, Satyagraha, was also born during this time. This passive resistance saw the government of the day trying to engage the community through Gandhi, but after long negotiations with Prime Minister Jan Smuts failed, drastic action was agreed upon.

“The events of August 16, 1908, are regarded as an important milestone in the evolution of passive resistance as a form of protest against racial discrimination and apartheid,” Indian ConsulGeneral Navdeep Suri said.

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Q U A R T E R L Y

Mbeki lauds appointment of Pillay to UN position

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outh African President Thabo Mbeki on July 30 congratulated one of the country’s foremost legal minds, Judge Navanethem Pillay, a respected international jurist of Indian origin, on her appointment as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Describing Judge Pillay as an outstanding South African who had devoted all her life to the struggle for justice, president Mbeki said: “I have no doubt that Navi will bring the same level of dedication and commitment to her work in this new and important capacity that she displayed in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as well as in the International Criminal Court.”

President Mbeki further noted that, “through her work Judge Pillay has become a respected international jurist who, amongst other things, has done pioneering work on the rights of women”.

“Indeed as South Africans we are also proud of the fact that Judge Pillay becomes the first African woman to occupy the position of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. On behalf of the government and people of

South Africa, I wish to express our appreciation to the UN SecretaryGeneral as well as the UN General Assembly for Judge Pillay’s appointment,” concluded President Mbeki.

Pillay, popularly known as Navi, is a pioneering South African of Indian ancestry with a host of firsts to her name, as her brother Pullen Pillay puts it: “Navi has always been first at everything.” These firsts for the daughter of a bus driver, born in the coastal city of Durban, included becoming the first woman to set up a law practice in the then province of Natal in 1967, when the legal fraternity was not only dominated by men, but lawyers who were not white also faced severe challenges in the apartheid era.

Pillay specialised in fighting the

cause of those affected by their opposition to apartheid, and later became the first woman of colour to serve in the high court. Turning her attention to women’s rights, Pillay also founded the New York-based Equality Now and co-founded of the Advice Desk for the Abused in Durban, which provided shelter to victims of domestic violence.

Pillay’s work for the political prisoners who were detained on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years, was also internationally lauded, especially her exposure of the torture methods used there and its effect on detainees with the combination of solitary confinement.

On the international front, Pillay made headlines as a judge in the International Criminal Tribunal in the wake of the Rwanda genocide in the 1980s, playing a major role in defining rape as an institutionalised weapon of war and a crime of genocide.

The European Union has also welcomed Pillay’s appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General, saying in a statement that her track record would serve her well in her new position.

Indian NGO gets international award for battling AIDS

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Mumbai-based NGO working for the rights of sex workers was among the five community organisations from India, Ghana, Iran, Malawi and Mexico that received the Red Ribbon Awards for their role in battling HIV/AIDS. The Mumbai-based NGO Sanghamitra, a women’s collective, won the award at the 17th International Conference on Aids in Mexico City for lobbying for universal condom usage by sex workers and their work with the police to protect legal rights as well as with health clinics to improve health services.

Of the more than 550 organisations from 147 countries that were nomi-

nated, 25 were awarded $5,000. Three of these organisations were from India.

Out of the 25 awardees, five winners received $20,000 in recognition of their exceptional response to HIV at the local level. “These are extraordinary organisations helping to meet the needs of their own communities in often very difficult circumstances,” said Rebecca Grynspan, director of the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Latin America and Caribbean bureau.

“In doing so, they have shown extraordinary creativity, courage and leadership in responding to the epidemic and achieving tangible results with limited resources,” she was quot-

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ed as saying in a statement issued by UNDP in New Delhi. “All the Red Ribbon participants at this conference are winners,” said As Sy, UNAIDS director of partnerships and external relations. Apart from Sanghamitra, the other organisations awarded were Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights in Ghana, Hamyaran Mosbat — The Mashhad Positive Club in Iran, Consol Homes in Malawi and Fortaleciendo la Diversidad in Mexico.

It is the second time the awards were being presented. The first was at the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto. This year the final jury included Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

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Two-year road trip before Haj for SA Indians

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coffing at sceptics who have described it as “impossible”, a 63-year-old South African Indian builder has set off with a friend to undertake a road trip across Africa and Asia before ending in Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj pilgrimage two years from now.

Abdool Samath Ismail sold his two homes to finance his trip, which he said had been a childhood dream, while Ayoob Vawda has given up his motor spares business to join his long-time friend. Travelling in a Toyota 4X4 which has been specially rigged out with a fridge, mattress, grocery compartment and space for 80 litres of extra diesel, the two set off on July 28 from their hometown of Glencoe in KwaZulu-Natal province, with the first stop being Nelspruit, close to the border with Swaziland.

From there they plan to drive across Mozambique to Tanzania, where they intend to spend the entire holy month of Ramadan before continuing the trek across the continent. Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan are in their sights before they take a three-month break in Cairo, where their families will meet them.

Then the trip restarts to Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China before ending again in Mecca in Saudi Arabia to give thanks to Allah with Haj. The return trip the pair proposes is across Yemen and Djibouti in Africa as they hope to be back home in time for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, to be hosted in South Africa.

With a budget of $270,000, Ismail and Vawda are confident that they will succeed, although their own families and friends have joined other ardent adventurers in calling them “very optimistic” to get through all the dangers of civil wars, marauding bandits and even

the difficulty of securing paperwork to pass through some countries in the areas that they plan to go through.

Vawda once toured across Europe on a bicycle, but as his friends pointed out, that was a very different situation. The two men have put their faith in God before the usual extensive backup team and advance logistical arrangements that similar ventures by intrepid adventurers consist of.

For Ismail though, it will be a dream come true. “You only live once and I want to make the most of this lifetime while I still have the good health that Allah has blessed me with,” he said.

Indian firms lead in new projects in Ghana

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ndia now boasts of the highest number of new projects in Ghana, several notches above the west African country’s historically largest trading partner, South Africa.

India has 17 registered new large projects in Ghana, just one ahead of China, according to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). “We are focusing on India, China and the Middle East and on sectors such as IT, agriculture and power generation. Investors have long been watching Ghana, where a key strength is its multi-party democracy,” Edward Ashong-Lartey of the GIPC told the news service Sake24.

While India and China may have

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more projects in number, the United Arab Emirates leads in terms of value as its $2 billion railways upgrade project is the biggest in Ghana this year, said Ashong-Lartey.

Nigeria is second with projects worth $794 million, and South Africa, once Ghana’s biggest trading partner, is now “somewhere in the top 25”, Ashong-Lartey said.

India and China were also on top of the list in gold-producing Ghana in 2007. South Africa, the continent’s largest gold producer, began investing heavily in Ghana after 1994, but mainly in mining, financial services and the retail sector. At least four major South African retail chain stores have a pres-

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ence in Ghana, and AngloGold Ashanti gets 10 percent of its gold from Ghanaian mines.

But Indian and Chinese presence has been growing faster than that of South Africa in recent years. Ghana’s national theatre, new national stadium and the recently completed headquarters of the defence ministry in Accra have all been Chinese projects.

Ashong-Lartey said there were nonetheless a number of opportunities for trade relations with its southernmost compatriot on the continent to grow.

“South Africa has a lot that we need. We just have to discover what we can give South Africa.”

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Coal India eyeing exploration in Africa

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oal India Ltd (CIL) is eyeing exploration opportunities in Africa, a top company official said in Kolkata on August 5.

“We have identified three blocks in Mozambique and are also planning to go to South Africa and Malawi,” CIL chairman Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya said. CIL is also sending a team to Mozambique in August to speed up the process. “We will acquire coal property abroad through International Coal Ventures Ltd. (IVCL),” Bhattacharyya added.

IVCL is a special purpose vehicle formed with some other leading companies to acquire coal assets overseas.

The coal available in Mozambique is mostly thermal, besides some coking coal variety.

He added that the company has floated an expression of interest for 18 abandoned mines in Jharkhand and West Bengal to convert these into operational ones. CIL along with its subsidiaries posted a pre-tax profit of Rs. 87.38 billion in 2007-08, up from Rs. 86.22 billion of 2006-07.

“We expect a profit before tax of Rs. 100 billion this fiscal,” Bhattacharyya said. The company paid an interim dividend of Rs. 17.05 billion to the government.

CIL, which supplies 46 percent of the total energy in India, gives coal at one-third price compared to global players to its customers, said Bhattacharyya. The company has raised the price only once between 2003-04 and 2007-08, as the annualised price hike of coal stands at 2.4 percent, he added.

In the first quarter of the current fiscal, the company produced 6.5 million tonnes more coal compared to the corresponding period last fiscal.

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‘India very important partner for Angola’

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ndia is a very important partner for Angola as the southern African country starts to move out of the least developed nations list, Angolan Deputy Prime Minister Aguinaldo Jaime has said.

Jaime was speaking as the head of a delegation from Angola at the Africa Investor IPO Summit in Johannesburg on August 6, hosted in conjunction with the Johannesburg Securities Exchange.

“There is a very dynamic relationship between India and Angola, especially in the oil and manufacturing sectors.

The next three years will see a strengthening of that relationship, as the Indian government is supporting efforts to increase investment in Angola,” Jaime said.

He said Angola has a lot of mineral and agricultural potential, which would help its economic revival in the wake of decades of civil war. “I believe Angola is now at peace across the coun-

try. There is no political instability as there was in the past. There are pockets of political dissent, but there has been no violence recently,” Jaime said.

Indian business and government enterprises such as RITES have invested hugely in southern African countries such as Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana in recent years, but investment in Angola was lower because of the political strife there.

Speaking at the same summit, Zemenedeh Negatu, managing partner at Ernst & Young Ethiopia, said the influence of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa by India and China had to be factored into any company decision to go the IPO route.

Negatu said as the current global food crisis continued, India and China were both rapidly moving into agroindustries in Africa with its huge potential.

PIO receives Ghanaian national award

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obind Nankani, a prominent Indian-origin development economist and head of the Global Development Network (GDN), has been honoured with a top Ghanaian national award for his contributions to the development of Ghana and Africa.

Ghanaian President John A. Kufour presented Nankani with the ‘Order of the Volta’ on July 3 in Accra.

Nankani was cited particularly for his role as vice-president for Africa at the World Bank from 2004 to 2006, and also for his contributions over the years to the promotion of social development policy and financing.

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Kufuor presented awards to distinguished personalities, including foreign nationals. The awards were instituted by the nation’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, when Ghana attained republic status on July 1, 1960.

Speaking at the National Honours Awards, on the theme ‘Branding Ghana for a Prosperous Future’, Kufuor said: “We have sought to honour a cross section of society who in the course of their work have made exceptional contributions to the development of the nation. Today’s function is to urge them on to greater service to the nation and encourage others to follow their example.”

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With Indian-origin woman envoy, Uganda makes a point

Uganda’s High Commissioner Nimisha Madhvani (right), presenting her credentials to President Pratibha Patil, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on February 13.

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omen ambassadors are not an unusual sight in the Indian capital; there are normally about half a dozen women envoys based in New Delhi at any given time. But Uganda’s current High Commissioner to India comes as a surprise. For, Uganda’s representative in India, Nimisha Madhvani, is the first woman envoy of Indian origin from an African country.

To the ordinary Indian, Uganda is closely associated with its one-time dictator Idi Amin and his brutal expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972. Two and a half decades after Indians were expelled from Uganda, Kampala has chosen to send as envoy to New Delhi a person of Indian origin. Expelled from her country of birth as a teenager for being of Indian origin, Madhvani has now been assigned the task of enhancing trade, investment and political ties between Uganda and India.

A third generation Ugandan of Indian descent, Madhvani sees her appointment as a strong message about

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the Asian community and an effort to put Uganda back on the map in India.

“It is a signal that the Asian or Indian community is recognised as a well integrated part of the country.” It is also a reflection of the country, on how far it has gone to generate confidence about the nation as a safe investment destination, she added.

Uganda’s main focus is on Asia, to look at the Malaysian and Singapore experiences on industrialisation for a modern state. In that context, Uganda has turned to India across the Indian Ocean for assistance and investment.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement of a duty free tariff preference for least developed countries (LDCs) at the India-Africa Forum Summit in April was warmly welcomed by Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni. Uganda is one of the 34 LDCs in Africa.

Madhvani was 13 years old when Asians were forced to leave the country; she has vivid memories of leaving Uganda and going to Britain. In August 1972, Idi Amin ordered all Asians to

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leave Uganda within 90 days. He accused them of aiding corruption and sabotaging the economy, and confiscated all Asian businesses and properties in the country. About 80,000 Asians fled Uganda for Britain, Canada, Australia and America in those three months; their departure led to an economic collapse in Uganda.

In 1992, president Museveni sought to restore the war-torn economy and urged the Indians to return to Uganda and become part of the country’s economic life. Laws were changed to allow the restoration of confiscated property to their Indian owners. Though most Ugandan Asians had made a new life for themselves after leaving Uganda, some Indians did return to take over their property and factories. There are now about 7,000 people of Indian descent living in Uganda and another 5,000 Indian nationals, who have found jobs and business opportunities in Kampala and other towns.

Nimisha’s mother, Meena, returned to Kampala just a month after Idi Amin fled the country in 1979. “To many of us, though we lived in Britain or other places around the world, Uganda still held a place in our hearts, it was always home,” according to Madhvani. Returning to Kampala, she became a career diplomat, and was posted to New Delhi as Deputy High Commissioner and a year later promoted as High Commissioner. She presented her credentials to President Pratibha Patil in February this year.

It is an important appointment that requires the approval of parliament in the Ugandan system for Madhvani is also accredited to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.

At the summit in New Delhi, president Museveni made a strong pitch for Indian investment in Uganda.

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Taking India-Africa TIES to a new summit Manish Chand revisits the historic India-Africa Forum Summit that not only outlined a blueprint for their pragmatic partnership in the 21st century, but also illuminated India’s long-term winning formula of engagement with the vibrant resource-rich continent.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Tanzania President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete releasing a special edition of Africa Quarterly published by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, at the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on April 9.

The Chairperson of AU Commission, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare, is also seen in the photo.

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he beats of African drums and ancient Sanskrit mantras intoned in classical style, dancers sporting colourful African masks and elegant mohiniattam dancers from India. Cultural and national boundaries blurred when nearly 100 musicians and dancers from India and Africa came together recently in a celebration of the centuries-old bonds between over two billion people of these ancient lands.

The gala show, held against the lighted ruins of the 16th century Old Fort in the Indian capital, New Delhi, was a befitting precursor to the first India-Africa summit held on April 8 to 9 that brought leaders of 14 African countries to India to craft an invigorated partnership, anchored in historical goodwill and their resurgence as emerging economic hubs.

This cultural tango and instinctive affinity between the Indian and African peoples, separated by vast distances but akin

in spirit, was reflected in the summit, with African leaders lauding India’s economic transformation and holding up New Delhi as an exemplar that African countries can do well to emulate.

India’s offer to assist Africa in ushering in a green revolution has moved the partnership beyond high-sounding words to gut issues that directly impinge on the lives of millions of their people. This intermeshing of dreams and ideals has also engendered a sense of camaraderie that resonates till this day and found an echo in speeches of African leaders who had come to attend the summit.

Two documents that emerged from the two-day conclave — the Delhi Declaration and the India-Africa Framework for Cooperation — outlined a pragmatic paradigm of the IndiaAfrica partnership to face the challenges of the new millennium, in the words of India’s prime minister Manmohan Singh.

(Please see Documents, Page nos 71-76). The global horizon of the partnership was not lost on anyone. The two sides

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agreed to intensify their collaboration not only in bilateral areas ranging from agriculture, food security, technology and trade to energy, capacity-building but also on global issues like the UN reforms, climate change, terrorism and multilateral trade negotiations.

India announced a slew of measures that underlined its approach towards the continent focusing on technology transfers and human resource development. These included granting preferential market access to 34 least developed African countries, more than doubling lines of credit to $5.4 billion over the next five years and increasing the ‘Aid to Africa’ budget by investing over $500 million in capacity building and human resource development projects.

The market access — a long-standing African demand that was lauded by leaders from many African countries — is expected to boost African exports ranging from cotton, cocoa and aluminium to copper ores, cashew nuts and non-industrial demands. Other key Indian initiatives include more opportunities for African students to study in India.

The summit, termed as “historic” and “successful” by Indian and African leaders, also put the spotlight firmly on the unique nature of India’s multi-faceted partnership with the resource-rich continent, dating back to ancient times when Indian traders set sail in their wooden dhows in search of trade and later in the shared struggle against colonialism and apartheid. India, even before it became independent, broke diplomatic ties with apartheid South Africa when Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became the country’s first prime minister, was in the interim administration. Makhan Singh, Pio Gama Pinto, Fitz D’Souza and Amba Lal, persons of Indian origin who played a starring role in the freedom of their respective countries in Africa, are now the stuff of collective folklore in the continent. The decolonisation struggle cemented the bonds of centuries and imparted an emotive resonance to the relationship that found echo in speeches of African leaders who attended the summit in April.

In post-colonial times, the focus has shifted to economic emancipation and collective dreams of over two billion people for a better life style and a higher standing in the fast mutating world order. India’s development-centric approach came in for generous praise from many African leaders who see in India as a rising economic and knowledge power and a source of technologies that are ideal for the African continent.

South African President Thabo Mbeki has lauded India for its help in the reconstruction of African countries and stressed on increased cooperation between the two sides in the area of the UN reforms.

With this rich history of shared dreams, the two sides are now fashioning a more contemporary partnership that reckons into account winds of change in their respective territories and the emerging realities of a globalised world. India’s rise as an economic power and a key global player and Africa’s resurgence, quietly purposeful and incremental over the years, are the two factors that are shaping the character and complexion of an evolving partnership that has the potential to change the global balance of power.

The binding glue is the desire to see each other prosper and find its rightful place on the global stage with legitimate representation in an expanded UN Security Council. India has taken care to differentiate its approach to Africa from that of other players by focusing on empowerment, sustainable development and nurturing of human resource of the continent.

By all accounts, the invigorated partnership between India and Africa in the true spirit of South-South cooperation is set to grow stronger in the days to come and a permanence of mutual interests aimed at mutual empowerment will ensure that it will survive the vagaries in the international system.

“The 21st century is often described as the Asian century.

India wishes to see the 21st century as the century of Asia and Africa with the people of the two continents working together to promote inclusive globalisation,” as Manmohan Singh said in a prophetic tone.

India-China power play in Africa?

C

hina’s was a looming shadow at India’s first summit with 14 African countries held in New Delhi recently that not only revealed the depth and diversity of their relationship but also provided clues to what could give New Delhi a competitive edge in the resource-rich continent.

But more than the summit per se that was high on deliverables as well as symbolism, what attracted attention, bordering on obsession, was the presumed competition between Asia’s two emerging giants in the race for Africa’s resources, specially oil. Comparisons, misleading as they were, between China’s much bigger and grander summit with nearly 40 African countries in Beijing two years ago were bruited about to underline India’s laggard approach to the continent where China is already swimming in so much oil and profits. The debate has not ceased even after a point-

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ed disclaimer by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the end of the summit that India is not in race with China or any other power in the African continent. Clearly, conjuring an IndiaChina power game in the African continent is a seductive theory that sells in the crowded marketplace of ideas. But dig deeper and one finds a world of difference in the way India and China deal with the African continent.

A close scrutiny of the ambitious and all-encompassing Delhi Declaration and the India-Africa Framework for Cooperation brings to the fore a different model for sustainable cooperation with the African continent.

In his inaugural address at the summit, Manmohan Singh stressed on the intensification of trade and investment, energy security, food security, capacity building and infrastructure development as key components of New Delhi’s engagement with the continent that stands in contrast with

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China’s commerce-driven, oil-oriented diplomacy in and the morally neutral attitude of the Chinese towards Africa. The framework of cooperation has “mutually bene- doing business with some oil-rich regimes in Africa with ficial economic development” at its heart and encompasses dubious human rights record, are some of the reasons that a broad canvas that includes, among other things, India shar- explain Beijing’s success in the continent.

In contrast, India, some would say, chose to take refuge in ing its experience and expertise to birth a green revolution in Africa and closer cooperation in social development and the rhetoric of non-aligned movement and Afro-Asian solidarity in the post-colonial cold war world that created a gap capacity building.

Besides, India’s promise to be a partner in Africa’s resur- between words and action on the ground. Where the Chinese gence was reflected in a raft of initiatives announced at the were quick to provide hundreds of millions of dollars of aid summit that included granting duty-free and quote-free mar- to win energy and infrastructure deals, India harped on dated ket access to exports from 34 least developed African coun- slogans that some felt were out of sync with the aspirations tries and doubling financial package for development of the curve in African countries. Also, the visits by Indian leaders continent to $5.4 billion over the next five years. New Delhi to African countries were few and far between. But now that pledged another half a billion dollars for investment in pro- India has embarked on course correction, its Africa diplojects related to capacity building and human resource devel- macy is set for a big surge. India’s blend of enhanced development and increased scholarships and training slots for opmental package, technology transfers, human resource development and infrastructure African students.

India’s blend of enhanced development could prove to be its On the other hand, Beijing’s wining card in the continent in the mercantile, profit-driven style of developmental package, functioning - flooding African mar- technology transfers, human long run.

That India is headed on a winkets with cheap Chinese goods and resource development and ning journey in Africa, although it bringing in their own labour for infrastructure development may take a few more years to make projects in Africa that do not generate local employment — has could prove to be its wining it clear, was evident from the praise showered by African leaders on already crated resentment and backcard in the continent in India’s development-centric lash from a section of the African the long run approach and their admiration for leadership and the African people.

India as a rising economic and Two years ago, South African President Thabo Mbeki warned African countries against knowledge power. Mbeki lauded India for its help in the falling into the trap of China’s “neo-colonial” relationship reconstruction of African countries and stressed on increased cooperation between the two sides on global issues. Alpha with Africa.

India, in contrast, has focused on value addition of Oumar Konare, chairman of the African Union Commission, resources and the creation of local jobs for the African said India-Africa partnership will help African countries to people. Also, there is a fundamental difference in the nature achieve their millennium development goals. Democratic of the engagement as China’s approach is state-driven Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila stressed that the while the private sector leads India’s forays into Africa. partnership will help Africa gain “a great deal from India’s Harry Broadman, economic advisor on Africa to the World experience in poverty reduction, development, micro-credit Bank, illuminates this difference in approach in an article in and the development of the middle class”.

If the string of enthusiastic remarks from African leaders the latest edition of Foreign Affairs. He cites a 2006 study of 450 business owners in Africa that found that almost half of are anything to go by, the summit has succeeded in not only the respondents who were ethnically Indians had taken laying out a firm blueprint for forging a more contemporary African nationalities, against only 4 per cent of owners who partnership between India and Africa but also in differentiating India’s long-term win-win formula in Africa. But India were ethnic Chinese.

Clearly, there is a huge gap between the level of India’s needs to back up this winning template with some concrete engagement in Africa with that of China. India’s trade with steps on the ground: more high-level visits by Indian leadAfrica is estimated to be around $30 billion which is half of ers to African countries, opening of more missions in regions that of China’s $56 billion in the continent. China has also where it is underrepresented and sustained proactive diplostruck lucrative energy and infrastructure deals in oil-rich macy to encourage private sector to spur its investment in the countries like Sudan, Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria and continent. In the end, it takes two to tango. The 21st centuChad. Compared to that, India has a lot of catching up to do ry, as Manmohan Singh said, will be the century of Asia and Africa, one in which the people of the two continents will in Africa’s hydrocarbons sector.

Aggressive Chinese diplomacy, reflected in whirlwind vis- work together to purge the world of its asymmetries and pro its by the top Chinese leadership to various African countries, mote a more equitable world.

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Revisiting a time-tested RELATIONSHIP Africa and India share a relationship that go back over two millennia, beginning with trade. Today, Zambia, one of Africa’s leading countries, and India, seek to walk shoulder to shoulder in the 21st century, says Kamini Krishna.

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Mahatma Gandhi (centre) in South Africa as an attorney.

ndia and Zambia belong to two different continents but share a common heritage.

Both the countries underwent an oppressive phase of British colonialism. Both experienced the brutal thrust of the British power to gain access to lands, to control raw material supplies, to find markets and profitable fields of investment following the

growth of capitalism. Relations between India and Zambia have historically been warm and friendly. Both countries have almost similar views on most international issues and look forward to help each other. Their leaders have strengthened Indo-Zambia relations through bilateral visits to each other’s countries and an exchange of ideas. This closeness in relations has been reinvigorated during the past few year especially in political, economic, social, cultural, technology, and other

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to the United Nations when Africa had no representative in the world body. In 1947, India imposed sanctions on South Africa at the expense of her own people, as the trade with South Africa was over five per cent of India’s total exports.

Another great role was India’s crucial campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners. This support continued until South Africa was liberated in 1993. It will not be out of place to mention that South Africa experiences love and equality of all races today largely because of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous tactics to protest against the white Relations between Africa and India rule through non-violence. So, As early as 1919, Gandhi was The Indian Ocean has never been considered as an described as the Great Leader of the whole of Africa.4 obstacle for the Africans to come closer to India for difOne can say that before the independence of South Africa, ferent purposes. Since ancient times people used this India was a leading advocate and implementer of sanctions ocean, perhaps, for trade and to against South Africa’s racist regime know each other. Scholars have to force it to change and eradicate India has shared its progress acknowledged the Indian Ocean as apartheid and seek diplomatic govwith Africa in different areas. a great lake bridging the gap ernance by the majority blacks. between the two continents. The Joint ventures have helped build A similar situation prevailed when most important geographical charthe manufacturing industry and India imposed a total embargo on all trade and economic relations with acteristics of the Indian Ocean are has proved to be an effective Southern Rhodesia (now the seasonal reversal of monsoon form of transfer of technology. Zimbabwe) in 1965 as a manifestawinds, which proved very helpful The National Industrial tion of India’s compliance with the for the early traders. It is, therefore, clear that by the beginning of the Development Cooperation has decision of the international community and solidarity with the Christian era Indian Ocean been instrumental in helping to African people.5 An Indian governmarines were already acquainted build up infrastructure and with the use of these winds. ment report adds, “This was at conUndoubtedly, Indian nationalism requisite manpower in addition siderable sacrifice to her economy.”6 provided a model for African to the assistance offered under These steps were taken by the Indian nationalism and contributed to the government as Southern Rhodesia the Indian Technical and independence of African nations. declared itself free from the United Economic Corporation India based its cooperation with Kingdom, as was indicated in the Africa on two guiding principles programme, the Colombo Plan, Unilateral Declaration of namely, a common historical backIndependence (UDI) in 1965 and and the Special Commonwealth ground and the presence of a large followed more or less the same footAfrican Assistance Plan number of People of Indian Origin steps of the South African govern(PIO) in the continent. ment’s racist policies of apartheid. related fields. It has been observed that India and people of Indian descent have played a significant role in the life of modern Africa including Zambia. The roots of trade and economic links between India and Zambia can be traced back as early as in the 10th-11th century A.D. This paper elaborates India’s relations in various sectors with Africa in general and then highlights the relations with Zambia in particular in the fields of trade and economy.1

Past Scenario

Present Scenario

When India achieved Independence in 1947, the country formulated its own foreign policy keeping in view to establish cooperation with the African countries. These objectives are: peaceful co-existence, self reliance and cooperation, non-alignment, support for de-colonisation, disarmament, restructuring of the inequities in international economic order and the global fight against racism.2 Thus, India became a shining example to many African nations is the throes of change. As a matter of fact Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, recognised that India’s own freedom was meaningless unless all people under colonial and racial domination were free.3 Showing its commitment, India was the first country in 1946, to take the issues of racial discrimination in South Africa

Now all nations in Africa are sovereign states and the rulers are indigenous Africans. Gradually, leaders from Africa and India came closer. Some African leaders were also awarded the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Awards for International Understanding. Thus, the Late President of Tanzania Julius Nyerere was conferred the award in 1973, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia in 1974, Nelson Mandela of South Africa in 1979 and Leopold Senghor of Senegal in 1982.7 Mandela is the only person outside India who has been conferred the ‘Bharat Ratna’ (jewel of India), the highest civilian award given by the Indian government.

India has shared its progress with Africa in different areas.

Joint ventures have helped build up manufacturing industries and proved to be an effective form of transfer of technology.8

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The National Industrial Development Co-operation (NIDC) has been an instrument helping to build up infrastructure and requisite manpower in addition to the assistance offered under the Indian Technical and Economic Corporation (ITEC) programme, and the Colombo Plan and Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan (SCAAP). India’s former president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was invited on September 14, 2004 to the opening ceremony of the Second Pan-African Parliament session of the African Union, where Dr. Kalam announced that ‘Focus Africa’ programme is one of the highest priorities of India. He further announced that the Indian government had taken a special initiative for Africa, pledging $200 million in form of credit lines as a part of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) scheme.

The president also announced a second TEAM-9 initiative with a certain number of African countries with an outlay of $500 million. He also talked about the common enemies of India and Africa — poverty and disease. He also stressed on the role of modern technology in combating these. “Our government has decided to provide seamless and integrated satellite, fiber optics and wireless network to connect fifty-three African countries for tele-education, tele-medicine and e-services,” the president said.9 He even proposed to form an IndoPan African joint team that could make a comprehensive proposal and prepare a road map.

Cooperation Between Zambia and India Zambia, that attained her independence much later than India, had benefited from ideas from India and Indian leaders. S.M. Kapwepwe, N. Mundia and Sipeso who studied in India and were ministers in the Kenneth Kaunda government acknowledged the value of their training in liberating their countries. “In 1956, Nehruji, opening the Annual Conference of the Africa Students in New Delhi urged us, when we went back home, to dedicate ourselves to the liberation of Mother Africa, the continent which Nehruji said had suffered the most from outside exploitation…. Nehruji has a marked influence in whatever small part we played in liberating our own country,” they said.10 Kaunda often cited and even followed the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and re-emphasised Gandhi’s view that violence never won. The two countries have always shared similar views in so far as conflict management or resolution is concerned. Non-violence has become the guideline for the two countries for a peaceful and healthy co-existence.

In the Past In the field of trade and economy both countries share ageold relations, which can be traced back in the 10th-11th century A.D. from the famous trading site of Ingombe Ilede (sleeping cow) in Southern part of Zambia.

At this trading place, 11 burial sites have been found which are very rich in artefacts like beads, clothes, gold ornaments, and clay pots. It is, however, clear enough that the residents of Ingombe Ilede were a self-sufficient community whose trade must have been limited to the simplest exchange with their neighbour11.

According to R. Hall the beads came from India,12 and according to A. Roberts, cloths were imported possibly from India13 in exchange for raw materials like gold, copper and ivory, glass beads and fine cotton cloth that may have been of Indian origin…

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When Zambia and India became independent, both countries tried to re-establish their bilateral economic links. The economic policy of the British government proved disastrous for the Indians. After her Independence when India was still trying to revive her economy, the country came forward to help new nations of Africa with full vigour

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The Present When Zambia and India became independent, both countries tried to re-establish their bilateral economic links.

The economic policy of the British government proved dis-

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copper mines were largely under astrous for the Indians. Indian ecoDuring the then Zambian state control, timely investments nomic and social development was president Patrick L. were not made for new equipment completely subordinated to the interests of the British economy and social and technology to mine the ore. As a Mwanawasa’s visit to India in development.

After her April 2003, the prime minister of result, the production of copper suffered; several foreign companies, Independence when India was still India announced a fresh loan of which were mining copper, termitrying to revive her economy, the $10 million as assistance nated their operations. This affected country came forward to help new nations with full vigour. the country’s economy adversely. and $100,000 as donation for India had imposed trade and comBut India had been constantly anti-HIV/AIDS medicines and mercial sanctions with Southern extending its helping hand to the another grant of $25 million Rhodesia in 1965. Zambia being a African country. as donation for agricultural neighbouring and landlocked counOver the years, India has providtry was affected adversely due to this ed considerable economic assistance equipment to Zambia to Zambia. In 1979 and 1982, the decision. Finally, India recognized Zambia’s need in the area of contingency planning and sug- Indian government extended her Export and Import (EXIM) gested at the meeting of the Security Council in 1996 the Bank Credits to Zambia totaling Rs. 170 million. adoption of concerted programmes of aid to Zambia. Also, Furthermore, in 1989, India provided railway wagons costIndia came forward with technical assistance in different ways. ing about Rs. 80 million to Zambia under the Africa Fund.

She helped in the airlifting of vital petroleum supplies to Similarly, Maruti vehicles were also given to the Zambian Zambia and provided a large number of steel barrels and also News Agency and emergency medical supplies to the the services of rehabilitation expert and staff to assist the return Zambian Ministry of Health. Under Indo-Zambia relationship, a number of measures have been taken for reducing of Zambian nationals from Southern Rhodesia.15 Following the Lusaka Non-aligned Conference in 1970, poverty levels in their respective countries.

After a series of discussions between the two countries, India decided to expand economic relations with the Southern African states struggling to break away from South EXIM Bank of India agreed to provide a new line of credit Africa’s stranglehold. The Zambian government, by recruit- amounting to K50 billion (US$10 million approximately) to ing large numbers of Indian experts, was able to lessen its be used by Zambia to import equipment and machinery from dependence on South Africa and Rhodesian expatriates at a the country. On February 10, 2005 Tata Motors in Zambia donated 286 different vehicles, worth $8 million, to Zambia time when a very real danger threatened its economy.

The formation of Southern African Development Co-oper- Police and Zambia National Service under the same agreeation Conference (SADCC), with its holistic view of the problems to be tackled in the region, increased the possibility of further cooperation in developing transport and communication, agriculture, irrigation, research on plant varieties, public health, technical training and small industries, to reduce dependence on high-cost economies and on South Africa.16 In the 1970s, due to a sharp decline in copper prices, Zambia suffered a serious economic setback as copper was its main export item.

Since the country’s independence, the economy, which had done well before 1970s suffered a serious blow after the oil crisis in 1973 with concomitant decline in copper prices.17 Therefore, Zambia remained one of the least-developed countries despite its vast and rich mineral and natural Vice President of Zambia Ruypiah Banda addressing the First India-Africa Forum Summit, in New resources and arable land. Since the Delhi, on April 8.

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off the entire $3 million debt the Zambia owed to India.21 In response to this gesture, the Zambian government had and continues to provide an enabling environment for investment and a market for Indian products in Zambia.

India’s exports to Zambia during the period from April 2002 to March 2003 increased to $32 million as against $27 million in 2001-2002 thereby registering an increase of 22.34 percent.22 Moreover, the Indian government decided to donate 10,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice (boiled rice) to Zambia by early January 2004 to help the country meet its food shortage.

The government of Zambia through the country’s members of parliament, distributed the rice in all parts of the country and the exercise has been described as successful. The number of ITEC slots available to Zambia was increased from 30 to 50 (including 10 on self-financing basis).

The Indian government had assured the Zambian president that India was willing to help Zambia Bilateral trade between India and Zambia amounts to $47 with a Vocational Training Centre and million. India’s exports to Zambia were $32 million in Indian experts in agricul2002-03 and imports $15 million. India’s main exports tural, health, information include pharmaceuticals, vehicles, cotton, fabrics, technology and other plastics, rubber items and chemicals, fields would be deputed to that country. These proand imports include semi-precious stones posals are being implemented in consultation since recognised the fact that India’s status as the largest with the Zambian government.

Bilateral trade between India and Zambia amounts to $47 democracy and its contributions towards the promotion of international peace and security and India’s views in fight million. India’s exports to the country were $32 million in 2002-2003 and imports from Zambia $15 million. India’s main against cross border terrorism are important.

On the other hand, Zambia has extended its support for export items include pharmaceuticals, transport equipment, India’s candidature as a permanent member in an expanded cotton, yam, fabrics, plastics, rubber items and chemicals and United Nation’s Security Council. Towards the end of his imports from Zambia include mainly semi-precious stones.

With the HIV/AIDS pandemic reaching alarming levels in visit to India, the president of Zambia described Indo-Zambia relations as “Zambia and India being all weather friends who the country, the Zambia government had initiated a programme to provide Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARVs) to at least have to know from each other’s experience”.20 From an economic perspective, the Indian government has 100,000 people by the end of year 2009. During president taken a number of initiatives to help Zambia in meeting its Mwanawasa’s state visit to India, the government of India development goals. With a huge foreign debt standing at over announced a gift of anti-retroviral drugs worth $100,000 to $6.5 billion, the Zambian economy has been greatly ham- Zambia. 102 packets of these drugs reached Lusaka by March pered. Thanks to Indo-Zambia relations, the government of 2004 and were finally presented by Yogesh Gupta, the then India came to the aid of the Zambian government by writing high commissioner of India, to Brain Chituwo, minister of ment. This gift/donation will help the police services in their operations.18 This has also helped Zambia in acquiring agricultural equipment.19 During the then president of Zambia Patrick L. Mwanawasa’s visit to India in April 2003, the prime minister of India announced giving fresh credit loan of $10 million grant as assistance and $100,000 as donation for antiHIV/AIDS medicines and another grant of $25 million as donation for agricultural equipment to Zambia. Zambia has

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health of the government of Zambia on April 8, 2004.23 The handed over by the Indian high commissioner to the First government of India had also agreed to send two doctors and Lady of Zambia, Maureen Mwanawasa.25 In the recent time, twelve nurses to assist Zambia in managing its HIV/AIDS more and more Indian companies are investing in Zambia. programme.

There is an increase in the number of Indian companies parSince 1996, Indian companies have invested about $35 mil- ticipating in the agricultural and commercial exhibition organlion in Zambia. The Zambian govised by the India Trade Promotion ernment has selected M/s Satellite Originations (ITPO). Fifteen The growth of the Indo-Zambia Industries of India as the major Indian companies took part in the relations can also be attributed to strategic partner to revive the Zambian Fair held in 2003. These faith the Zambian government has companies displayed their prodcountry’s biggest mine Konkola Copper Mines (KCM). ucts, which were sold off, and reposed on Indian companies. A Negotiations are on between the $5.9-million contract was awarded many Zambian entrepreneurs two sides for the finalisation of expressed their interests in purto Indian company Bharat Heavy investments and Satellite’s entry chasing more Indian products.

Electrical Limited for the provision into KCM.24 Vedanta Resources As a sign of goodwill, a Zambian trade delegation took acquired 51 percent stake in KCM of ten power transformers of 135 part in the India International and this has paved the way for MVA each meant for the Zambia Trade Fair held in New Delhi in increased investment in the counElectricity Supply Company November 2003. During the stay try by Indian companies. With the in India, the delegation also held discovery of new deposits like copper, gold, phosphate, nickel and other metals in Zambia, there high-level meetings with a number of Indian companies and are some bright prospects for increased investment by the businessmen. It is hoped that this gesture will continue even in future. The growth of the Indo-Zambia relations can also Indian companies in these areas.

There is another excellent prospect for increased investment be attributed to faith the Zambian government has reposed on in new power generation and transmission projects by the Indian companies. A $5.9-million contract was awarded to Indian company BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited) for Indian companies.

Kirloskar, another Indian company, donated ten water the provision of ten power transformers of 135 MVA each pumps to the Zambian president-during his visit from their meant for the Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO). factory in Pune, India on April 23, 2004. The pumps were Technofab Limited was awarded a World Bank-funded con-

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tract worth about $4 million by AHC mining of Kitwe for the improve its skills. More than 40 Zambians were sent to India rehabilitation of clarifiers and filters for a water treatment in 2003 for undergoing training in the field of science and techplant in the Copper belt region.26 This development only nology and other institutions in different fields. In addition, proves how much trade and economic relations are growing Indian high commissioner Yogesh Gupta presented a set of books to Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa, deputy vice-chanbetween these two countries.

In addition to awarding contracts to Indian companies, cellor of the University of Zambia (UNZA) on November 17, Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Group of Companies, met 2005. Speaking before handing over the books, the Indian Zambian President Mwanawana in Lusaka on October 26, high commissioner said that he highly valued the contribu2004. This meeting was organized to discuss prospects of tion that universities and colleges were making. He also additional investment in Zambia after completion of the pledged to donate $100 worth of books to outstanding sturenovation work of the Taj Pamodzi Hotel, making it the dents in course on Indian History.

Speaking at the same function, Prof. Langwagwa said only five star hotel in Lusaka. The Indo-Zambia Bank has also been in the forefront in promotion of community pro- UNZA had over the years received various support in difjects. In fact, it even sponsored the Indo-Zambia Business ferent areas from the Indian government. He also Group Meet, in which former Lok Sabha Speaker M. announced that UNZA was expecting very highly qualified veterinary surgeons from India. He said the donation was Manohar Joshi also participated.

During her visit to Zambia, the then secretary (West), in the highly appreciated and acknowledged that this should help Ministry of External Affairs, Shashi Tripathi mentioned about alleviate the hardship that the highest learning institution the bright prospect for investment in Zambia. She further in Zambia was facing then.28 suggested the business communities in Zambia and India to As many as 180 scholarships are being offered under the take advantage of the investment policies pursued by Indian General Cultural Scholarship Scheme to nationals from government in sectors like real estate, auto-assembling plants, developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These agro-processing, the processing of leather, sugar cane, cotton, scholarships are being provided for undergraduate, postcashew and setting up of hotels and wild life parks.27 graduate and doctoral studies. A few scholarships under this The viability of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act scheme were also awarded for degree courses in engineering, (AGOA) and other marked access opportunities available to Zambia has opened up prospects for the setting for the textile mills and an array of other industries. It has been hoped that the regional economic group such as Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) will provide deeper integration in the region so that it will become easier for larger companies to set up manufacturing facilities in Zambia and other adjoining countries.

Furthermore, the relationship between these two countries has continued to grow in the promotion of the Zambian educational sector as well. The government of India has increased its support for training Zambians in India under ITEC. Over 2000 Zambians, including many in the Women of Indian origin have been playing a significant armed forces, have been trained in India.

Indian experts have been deputed to role in the development of Zambia. Women of Indian oriZambia for training Zambian defence per- gin founded the Lusaka Indian Ladies Association (LILA). sonnel. Support has also been extended LILA has been in existence since 1979. It is a social and to Zambia through the deputation of cultural platform for Indian ladies based in Lusaka who members of the Indian Military Advisory Team (IMAT) to the Zambia Defence have not only been involved in a number of charity work Services Command Staff College. It is but also play a significant role in fostering the hoped that with such developments, the growth of Indo-Zambian bilateral relations Zambian Defence Force will further

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A F R I C A pharmacy and agriculture.29 Under this scheme, the Zambian students are offered around five scholarships every year.

Women of Indian origin have been playing a significant role in the development of Zambia. Women of Indian origin founded the Lusaka Indian Ladies Association (LILA).

LILA has been in existence since 1979 and has grown tremendously in various ways. It is a social and cultural platform for Indian ladies based in Lusaka who have not only been involved in a number of charity work but also play a significant role in fostering the growth of Indo-Zambian bilateral relations.

In 2003, LILA widened its field of activities and conducted two major fund-raising ventures. After raising over K22 million, LILA also collected food items, medicines, blankets, stationery and building materials and distributed them among a number of vulnerable groups in Lusaka.

The burgeoning group celebrated its silver jubilee in 2004 and lined up a number of activities through out the year. It made donations to different needy organizations, which included, among others, the Blind Association of Zambia, the Servants of Mary Immaculate. Above all, in December 2004, LILA donated to the Break Through Cancer Trust Zambia, Missionary of Charity, Mother Teresa Center and others.

Recently, Arti Gupta, chairperson of LILA, invited HIV/AIDS affected children to India House. On December

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4, 2004, she presented relief materials to Sr. Anna Mary Papu at Ksija Secretary Training College. Gupta also distributed food and other items to the Zambian First Lady, Mwanawasa, for marginalised groups.

Conclusion The entire spectrum of India-Zambia relations underlines the kind of understanding, sympathy and co-operation that was envisaged by our leaders before and shortly after our independence. It was the dream of solidarity among countries with a shared experience of anti-colonialism and was later a common desire to emerge from the bonds of underdevelopment.

The relationship between India and Zambia cannot be over emphasized as it has proved to be one of the most successful bilateral relationships existing between two countries. The complete implementation of various co-operative measures, which has been agreed upon between these two countries over time is important to accelerate growth.

The high commissioner of India is in constant touch with the various ministers of the Zambian government for full implementation of various agreements. Further, there is a growing feeling this relation will expand further so as to help the two countries in meeting their national developmental goals for the benefit of their people.

Notes and References 1. G. Mokhtar (ed), General History of Africa Vol.II, (London James Currey Publishers, UNESC 1992) p.309.

2. Indian Publication Division — Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India (New Delhi: Patiala House). 1992.

3. K. Mathews and V. Sharma (eds). India and Liberation Struggle in Africa in Africa Quarterly. Vol.42, No.2 (New Delhi: Indian Council of cultural Relation, 2002). P.vi.

4. Anantani quoted in the Report of the Indian National Congress, 1919, pp.56-57.

5. A. Appadorai and M. S. Rajan, India’s Foreign Policy and Relations, (New Delhi: South Asian Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1985) p.415 6. Indian Government, Ministry of External Affairs Report, 1965-66, p.41.

7. N. N. Vohra & K. Mathews (eds.), Africa, India and SouthSouth Cooperation by P.K. Dhawan in current and Potential Trade and Economic Linkage between India and Africa (New Delhi: Har Anand Publication Pvt Ltd, 1997) p.564.

8. Shanti S. Ali, India and Africa. Through the Ages. (Delhi: National Book Trust, 1987) p.140.

9. India News, High Commission of India, 24th October 2004, Vol I No.5 10. A. Mehta, Nehru and Africa, (New Delhi, 1964) n 52, p.23.

11. A Roberts, A History of Zambia (London: Heinemann Educational Ltd, 1976), pp.56-57.

12. R. Hall, Zambia (London: Pall Mall Press Ltd, 1965) p.9.

13. Roberts, A History of Zambia p.59.

14. B.M. Fagan (ed.) A Short History of Zambia, by B.M. Fagan, Early Trade in Zambia, (London: Oxford University Press. 1966) p.57.

15. Indian Government, Ministry of External Affairs Report, 1966-67, p.39.

16. Shanti, Ali. India and Africa. Pp.140-141.

17. Zambia Daily Mail, Wednesday 26th January.2005, Zambia-India Trade Relations. P.9.

18. Received information from Bala Subramanian, chief executive, Tata Zambia Ltd. 19. Sunday Mail, 21 “December, 2003, Editorial, Thanks India. P.6.

20. India News, High Commission of India Vol. No.1, 24th January 2004, p.8.

21. Sunday Mail, 21st December 2003, Editorial. P.6.

22. India News, High Commission of India, Vol. No.1.

23. India News, High Commission of India, Vol. 1, No.3. 24th June 2004, p.6.

24. http://www.India/business.nic in/commercial.relation/ Zambia.

25. India News, High Commission of India, vol.No.2, 15th March 2004.

26. India News, High Commission of India, 24th January 2004.

27. The Post, Tuesday March 1, 2005 p.7.

28. Newsletter. The University of Zambia, 9th December 2004.

29. Indian Council for Cultural Relations, (New Delhi: Azad Bhavan) p.5.

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M U T U A L

S Y N E R G I E S

Towards a BRIGHTER future Poverty, HIV/AIDS and a deepening energy crisis are thwarting Africa.

However, India and Africa can together change it all, says Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, President of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, MP, and traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu nation, at a meeting in New Delhi in July 12.

I

am delighted to be here with you this evening. I have greatly enjoyed my first visit to India; a country which can accurately be described as a “cousin” of South Africa. This week I have had the privilege of visiting Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, and I greatly enjoyed visiting the greatest monument ever built to the power of love whilst I am here. I greatly enjoyed visiting the Nehru Centre and seeing the Discovery of India exhibition in Mumbai. It has been truly amazing to observe at once an ancient Asian civilisation, a modern nation grounded in Enlightenment values and democratic institutions, and a rising 21st century superpower. The pace of change in the world’s largest democracy, with its vibrant and open society, is simply inspiring.

This evening I will naturally focus on South Africa’s economic environment and the “special relationship” between our two countries: a special relationship which was forged in the struggle against racial oppression and discrimination. Just over one hundred years ago, M.K. Gandhi launched his civil disobedience campaign in South Africa. His Satyagraha movement led to the freedom from colonial rule in India. How moving it was to stand on the balcony of the Mahatma’s home in Mumbai as I have visited his home in Phoenix in KwaZuluNatal and the place where he was turned out of the first-class rail carriage. I believe that it is the influence of this man’s philosophy which guided the founding fathers of the African National Congress to establish Africa’s oldest liberation movement upon the ideals of non-violence and passive resistance.

We were inspired by his example when he led the non-violence struggle and founded the Natal Indian Congress. As

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many of you will know, the special relationship between our two countries goes back several hundred years. From the beginning of the Dutch colonisation in the 1650s there were Indian slaves. In 1860 the first indentured labourers arrived on SS Truro, in Durban, and they worked and lived in conditions of semi-slavery. Then in the 19th century we had the socalled “passenger Indians”, who came over to this country.

These three waves of immigrants now make up the South African Indian community of over a million people.

One of these people is my colleague, Narend Singh, MP, who is here with us tonight. Singh is one of the leaders of the IFP-led governments which governed South Africa’s most populous province, KwaZulu-Natal, between 1994 and 2004.

I was astonished to see Singh’s grandfather’s registration certificate from when he left these shores — from Gorakhpur — to arrive in Durban on April 24, 1897. Our province is home to the largest India population outside of India and the history of our country cannot be understood without reference to the great contribution of this community.

By way of personal introduction, I am the great grandson of king Cetshwayo and grandson of his son, king Dinuzulu.

Cetshwayo was the nephew of the legendary king Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation. It was Cetshwayo’s regiments that inflicted the worst defeat ever on imperial Britain at the Battle of lsandlwana on January 22, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu war. Cetshwayo’s regiments were led by my great grandfather, Mnyamana Buthelezi, the prime minister to the King.

My political roots run deep in the African National Congress, which has close historical ties to the Indian Congress Party and I maintain a deep respect for the tradition of the party which rules us today. I have the privilege of leading the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which is South Africa’s largest predominately Black opposition party. My Indian friends have played a significant role throughout my political career and several of them, like Singh, are active in the IFP today.

It was one of the privileges of life to know the son of the Mahatma, Manilal Gandhi and his wife. I met him during the Defiance Campaign in Durban when he was released from jail. Later in life I met the granddaughter of the Mahatma, Ela Gandhi and her then husband Mewa Ramgobin. It was during this time that I had the privilege of delivering the Gandhi Memorial Lecture at the Phoenix settlement near Durban where the Mahatma had lived.

I have cherished my close association with stalwarts of the liberation struggle of Indian extraction in my province of KwaZulu-Natal such as the Ramgobin family, professor Fatima Meer and her husband Ismail Meer and such heavyweights in the liberation struggle as Dr Monty Naicker, Debi

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Singh and many others. To capture the significance of the role that the Indian community has played in my country’s journey to democracy, I can do no better than quote A. I. Kajee, an early 20th century Indian politician, who famously said, “We are part and parcel of this country… we know no other land”.

Contrasting the political economies Over the last fourteen years of democratic rule, South Africa has made remarkable progress. A human rights culture rooted in our Constitution and Bill of Rights has begun to be inculcated amongst our disparate peoples. Our governance and judicial institutions are settling down.

South Africa and India share the same critical problems — extreme social inequality, joblessness, a growing energy crisis, severe water shortages, and a galloping HIV/AIDS epidemic, to name the most obvious. Like India, South Africa is divided among a tiny affluent minority, a rising middle class, and an overwhelming majority who reside in gut-wrenching poverty.

Both of our countries have witnessed the depressing development of wealthy enclaves and deployment of private security guards to protect them from the poor masses. Crime has reached high levels in South Africa.

Our economy has been performing well, but nothing like the pace of India’s amazing growth. Until recently, we were touching 5 percent growth, but that growth has now been halved. To cut through the structural conditions that produce large-scale poverty, growth needs to accelerate to upwards of 6 percent. At present, we are also witnessing an inexorable centralisation of power. The concentration of power at the centre, paradoxically, sits astride a weak delivery state, which has not done enough to stimulate employment, deliver basic public services or protect its citizens. And that is the paradox of the new South Africa: the nation is strong, but the state is weak. If we fail to remedy the latter, we will undermine the former.

Undoubtedly, the social impact of globalisation and urbanisation is driving people to take refuge in their families, communities and regions. These are now the social institutions that offer security and opportunity. We have much to learn from India’s democracy. We may look to you to help build the democratic alternative in South Africa. On balance South Africa, like India, is on the right path, but there are pitfalls aplenty — and marvellous opportunities too. I believe we require a certain quality of imagination to propel our development. Long before Barack Obama chanted the call to “change”, the Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in this world”. Like China, India is looking for raw materials and new markets for its goods. This has sharpened India’s hope for a stronger South-South relationship, which will give it the edge. There is nothing wrong with that.

Every ambitious country seeks the edge.

We see the economic rewards, as well as the cultural and social rewards, of the deepening of the South-South relationship. India, for example, is searching for long-term uranium supplies to feed its nuclear reactors, as well as strategic minerals, meaning that South Africa is emerging as a key partner.

Q U A R T E R L Y

I must also underline my personal support, and that of my party, to the South African government’s clear commitment to the strategic partnership between our two countries.

In 2003, India, Brazil and South Africa forged a trilateral linkage in Brasilia: the so-called “Butterfly” strategy. I believe that the combined dynamism of the three countries will make a huge material difference to the lives of our peoples. Together, we can influence the global paradigm by prioritising the needs of the disadvantaged. In light of the common social-economic challenges, which I have outlined, I believe it is essential that we make good on the noble goals that we have set out to achieve. I, therefore, add my voice to the call for a permanent seat for India and South Africa on the UN Security Council and the expansion of the G8 to include India, Africa and Brazil.

I believe that a strong relationship between South Africa and India will make a great contribution to promoting the trade and commerce needed to make Africa flourish and prosper. I obviously do not need to spell out to you how such bilateral trade; transfer of skills, products and services, and commerce would equally benefit India’s industry and economic development.

Indian made cars are now beginning to be sold in South Africa and we have witnessed an increasing flow of technical assistance from India. There is a necessity to make investments in Africa in general, and South Africa in particular, and accept that there may be an element of risk. The most important investment of all is, in my opinion, the training of African people.

There are other economic factors in South Africa which are not suited to economic growth and business —the lack of labour market flexibility and the over dominant role played by trade unions — and that is not to say that trade unions do not have an essential role to play in regulating society and workplace. The crippling rigidity of the labour market legislation that we have enacted makes it onerous for work seekers to gain access to steady jobs or any jobs at all. South Africa has also been reluctant to develop standard anti-trust and a pro-competition legislation to break the grip of our private and public cartels and monopolies on our economy.

The consequences are painful for all who participate in this “free market”. Our bank charges, for example, are amongst the highest in the world, as are our telecommunication charges.

Without banking facilities, our people do not have access to loans to purchase property or start businesses. These are the prerequisites of a functioning market economy everywhere.

This is the time to enhance the marketing and commercial presence of the Indian Government in South Africa. Over the years I have been impressed by the work conducted in Durban by the various Indian consuls-general, who have worked hard with the local Indian community to build a bridge between the South African Indian community and India.

As a long-term and trusted friend of India, my party, the IFP, and I are available to help foster and influence the evercloser relationship between our two countries. I thank you.

(Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP, president of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan, chairperson of the house of traditional leaders (Kwazulunatal), and traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, delivered this speech at a dinner hosted by Dr. Karan Singh, president of the ICCR, in New Delhi on July 12.)

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I N T E R V I E W

MARRY India’s expertise with Africa’s resources If India’s experience and expertise is married to Africa’s vast natural resources, this will result in the accelerated development of Africa, Ghana’s President John Agyekum Kufuor tells Manish Chand in an interview.

Q

How does Ghana look at the present state of India-Africa relations? What new directions can the forthcoming India-Africa Forum Summit provide for this time-tested relationship.

A. The present state of IndiaAfrica relations is very encouraging. With the focus now on economic development, there have been several fruitful initiatives, notably the Focus Africa Programme, the TEAM-9 initiative and wide-ranging co-operation in the fields of human resource development, capacity building, education, agriculture, health, information and communication technology (ICT). There is also the PanAfrican e-Network Project which will link the 53 countries of the African Union via satellite and fibre optic network for

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tele-medicine, tele-eduction and VVIP connectivity. It is our hope that the India-Africa Partnership summit will result in the creation of a framework and plan of action to further enhance the mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Africa.

Q. In what ways can India and Africa expand their mutually empowering partnership? In which areas do you see scope for improvement?

A. The main aim of the India-Africa Forum is to create a framework and a plan of action for the enhancement of the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between India and Africa. If India’s experience and expertise is married to Africa’s vast natural resources, this will result in the accelerated development of Africa and assist African countries to develop their production base of non-traditional exports as well as add value to their traditional exports. The technology which India has is also most suitable for African countries. One can mention

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Q U A R T E R L Y

development of NEPAD cross-border projects has contributed to this objective.

One of the strategies of NEPAD is for Africa to build bridges with her development partners in order to collectively contribute to the renewal of the African continent. India has Q. How can India and Africa co-operate to realise the dream of been a worthy partner in the regard.

Finally, the future holds very bright prospects for the an expanded UN Security Council?

A. You would recall that in 2004, the then Secretary-General NEPAD. In the main, NEPAD aims at deepening democraof the United Nations appointed a 16-member High-Level cy and good governance, eradicating extreme poverty and Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change to propose ways of deprivation and fostering regional cooperation and integration strengthening international security and the role of the United in Africa. As you would all agree, Africa is making encouragNations. The panel’s report put forward a new vision of col- ing and steady strides in that regard.

Over the past few years, since the inception of NEPAD, lective security, one that addressed all the major threats to international peace and security around the world. With spe- Africa has realised a common mouthpiece to articulate its cific reference to the Security Council, the panel recom- development objectives, priorities, prospects and fears in mended an expansion of its membership from 15 to 24. The the international community. More than ever before, we Executive Council of the African Union at its 7th have within the framework of NEPAD demonstrated our resolve and appetite to tackle the chalExtraordinary Session in March 2005 “If India’s experience is lenge posed by the 21st century. deliberated at length on the report of the panel and adopted a common married to Africa’s vast What possibilities of cooperation African position known as “The natural resources, it will Q. exist between India and West African Ezulwini Consensus”. Any cooperaresult in the accelerated State and ECOWAS? tion with India for the achievement of the goal of an expanded UN Security development of Africa and A. There are a lot of possibilities for Council would have to be on the basis assist African countries to cooperation between India and West African states. India has decided to of the common African position as develop their production extend a line of credit of $250 million enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus. base of non-traditional and supply $100 million worth of agricultural and industrial equipment of Q. What do you make out of the exports as well as ECOWAS. India also has a strategic TEAM-9 initiative? add value to their partnership with West African counA. The Techno-Economic Approach traditional exports” tries that cover a wide range of areas, for Africa-India Movement (TEAMsuch as security, infrastructure, trade, 9) is a specific and targeted approach to economic, technological and scientific cooperation between education, science and technology, power generation, ICT, India and the other eight countries including Ghana. It is agriculture and small and medium scale enterprises. There is unique in the sense that it is aimed at facilitating and strength- also the possibility of enhancing the mutually beneficial trade ening relations between the private sectors of India and the and investment between India and the ECOWAS countries. eight African countries. It is also expected that projects under the TEAM-9 initiative will transcend national boundaries and Q. What is Africa’s attitude towards globalisation? Do you impact positively on the process of integration in the West think globalisation can spur integration of African countries African sub-region. We have identified various areas such as into the global economy? roads and railways where this co-operation will be concretised. A. Integration is multi-dimensional aspect, involving trade, investment, capital flows and technology, among Q. India has been an active participant in the New Partnership others. The globalisation of the world economy is perhaps the for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), how do you see the future most important trend that affects the current environment for economic development. But it also poses new challenges for of NEPAD? A. I will first of all want to thank the government of India for economic management. Globalisation can provide immense her tremendous support to the vision of NEPAD since its opportunities for African countries to accelerate their develinception in July 2001. As you all may be aware, the opment process as well as spur the integration of African counGovernment of India set aside a credit line of $200 million tries into the global economy. These opportunities centre on fund to support the development of a suitable NEPAD pro- access to world markets, finance and technology. As the expeject in Africa. Over the years, India has extended the credit line riences of African countries have shown de-linking from the global economy leads to marginalisation and slow growth. to a number of Africa Union Member States.

Indeed, NEPAD aims at deepening regional cooperation African countries should place a very high priority or regionand integration in Africa. And so any assistance to foster the al and continental integration. several areas for improvement including the textiles/garment industry, agriculture and food processing, ICT, the gem and jewellery industry, small and medium scale industry, and infrastructure, among others.

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B U I L D I N G

B R I D G E S

Bridging the INFORMATION gap A recent India-Africa Editors Conference in New Delhi brought together Indian journalists and editors from 14 African countries to explore ways of connecting the media and people of India and Africa, says Manish Chand.

A

s India and Africa move forward to forge a 21st century partnership, there is a renewed hunger to know and understand each other better. In a media-driven world in the 21st century, communication holds the key to success. Whoever tells a story better wins in today’s wired world.

Cliches intrude with a vengeance when there is not enough information and knowledge about each other’s culture and society. The clichés about Africa tend to fall in two categories: one, romantic and exotic images, and another set of mostly negative stereotypes about a continent wracked by internecine civil wars, violence, poverty and HIV/AIDS. With such preponderance of distorting images in the media, how is one expected to know that some of the world’s fastest growing economies today are in sub-Saharan Africa!

India has been a victim of deadening stereotypes — the land of snake-charmers, ash-smeared holy men, opulent royalty et al — knows this misinformation game too well. Thankfully, those set images about India are now changing. The image change has largely been triggered by its rise as an economic

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power and its prowess in the IT and knowledge industries. But despite India’s perceived rise as an economic and knowledge power, one still finds distorting images about the country in sections of the foreign media and in Africa too. The truth, as both sides now know too well, is infinitely more layered and complicated. The news is, however, not unremittingly bleak.

Africa and India, which have been victims of Western myth-making and stereotypes for many decades, are now telling their own stories, and not through somebody else’s prism, thanks to a robust and expanding media. In India, the last decade has seen an unprecedented media boom that includes a proliferation of newspapers, 24x7 TV news channels and websites transmitting instant news cutting across national boundaries.

In Africa, too, there has been a veritable media boom: TV channels and Radio networks are omnipresent and are powerful tools of mass communication in African countries. But despite this explosion and boom of media on both sides, Africa remains unreported in India (most news about Africa filtering through Western news agencies) and the same goes for India in Africa.

It is against this backdrop of knowledge and information deficit and misreadings that flow from it that the India-Africa Editors Conference, an initiative of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, was held in New Delhi.

The conclave proved to be a veritable intellectual feast of ideas, between intellectuals and opinion-makers of India and Africa. Ideas and arguments flowed back and forth reflecting on the media’s role as a catalyst in the transformation of popular perception of each other’s societies and peoples. Speakers held forth on how the media holds a mirror to a society and therefore, has a responsibility in creating a dialogue that leads to a more nuanced understanding of the other. Indeed, “Building Bridges and Connecting Cultures” — the reigning theme of the conference — lived up to its promise of explor-

May-July 2008

A F R I C A

Q U A R T E R L Y

ing concepts and concrete mechanisms that could help in intellectually connecting people and media of the two continents. Leading journalists from 14 African countries and India participated in the India-Africa Forum Summit.

The day-long conference generated an action plan that will enable closer linkages and cooperation in the field of media and communications between India and Africa. The outcome of the conference was reflected in the document on “AfricaIndia Framework for Cooperation” too.

“The greater cooperation between the media of the two sides will generate greater synergy in their relationship, enhance a South-South communication culture, enable more systematic use of their shared cultural and social processes of economic development in Africa and India,” the documented noted, summarising the recommendations of the editors’ conference.

The editors’ conference was structured into three sessions: I) Trends of Media Growth: Creating Understanding and Linkages II) Democracy, Accountability and Media III) Media and Challenges of Development

ing development, democratic practices and good governance.

Editors from Ethiopia stressed on how the media can empower the citizen, ensure free flow of information and create a more transparent system. Participants also said how the media can lead the fight against corruption and injustices and stand up to pressures and intimidatory tactics by repressive regimes.

Trends of Media Growth: Creating Understanding and Linkages

The conference generated a roster of ideas and suggestions that could energise dialogue between the opinion-makers and media organisations of India and Africa. i) Leading newspapers and publications in India should station full-time correspondents in key African capitals. And media outfits in Africa should do the same. The state-owned media should take the lead by posting 3-4 correspondents at 3-4 nodal centres in India and Africa. ii) News agencies of India and Africa should forge linkages to ensure a steady flow of information and stories that represent contemporary realities. iii) There should be more mutual visits by journalists. iv) Due to logistical resource constraints, there should be greater linkages between leading newspapers and publications of both sides. v) Media outfits and concerned government organisations of the two sides should pool capital and personnel to create a common news network which will act as an information bridge between the two sides. vi) The two sides should enhance training in human resource development, corporate communications and modern technology in media developments.

In short, the conference underscored the need for sustained dialogue through all possible media between intellectuals and opinion-makers of India and Africa. The day-long discussions brought out cultural and intellectual affinity between Indians and Africans and showed that the destinies of the two countries are intertwined in a very fundamental sense. The media has a huge responsibility in partnering the ongoing resurgence in India and African countries and tell the stories of these societies, complex and intriguing as they may be, in their own idiom and accents. The editor's conference proved to be one such step in this continuous conversation between India and Africa.

Journalists from both India and Africa provided a broad overview of new trends in the burgeoning media industry in their respective countries and stressed on the role of the media as a catalyst of cross-cultural understanding. All participants felt sustained dialogue and conversation between people of the two sides held the key to an empowering relationship between India and Africa. Besides the print and electronic media, participants focused on the rise of new media — web portals and blogs. The new media is also challenging the conventional notion of journalism and spawning a new trend of citizen journalism that puts an average informed person at the centre of content creation. Participants pointed out a new technological convergence between the print, TV and Internet that could lead to a multi-dimensional communication between people and media of the two sides.

Participants agreed that both India and Africa were underreported and underrepresented in the media of the other side. In India, apart from one news agency from Africa, there was virtually no representation of the African media.

No Indian newspaper has bothered to post a correspondent in Africa. This has led to a preponderance of Western news agencies that report news from their own prism, most participants felt.

Another reason for underreporting of India and Africa is the market-driven culture that has infected the media of both sides.

That is why both sides have to sell their stories aggressively to catch attention of a relentlessly distracted audience, participants said.

Democracy, Accountability and Media This session focused on the role of the media in promot-

Media and Challenges of Development Indian journalists underlined the need for mainstreaming development journalism in the media and rued the relative neglect of rural reporting in newspapers. Lauding Africa’s spirited fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS, Indian journalists felt that India could learn a lot from the African experience.

Other journalists pointed out the need for evolving a new language and idiom for telling common people’s stories in their own language.

Suggestions/Action Plan

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C O M M O N

V O I C E

A meeting of MINDS Media exchanges can be useful in identifying some of the common approaches to problems that affect 21st century India and Africa.

It will help both India and Africa meet common challenges, says External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

I

t gives me great pleasure to be present here today at the Valedictory Session of the Editors’ Conference of India and Africa.

Your conference will, I am sure, prove to be a very useful element in the build-up to the India-Africa Forum Summit. All of you are, first and foremost, communicators and a meeting of minds between communicators from Africa and India is an essential step if we are to strengthen our mutual understanding and partnership.

“Building Bridges, Connecting Cultures” is the theme of your conference and its importance is self-evident. The beau-

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tiful continent of Africa and our nation has had much in common in the past. We have both suffered under colonialism, which was characterised by exploitation and discrimination, and we have both emerged into the sunshine of freedom with the right to chart out our own destinies and the destinies of our peoples. This political legacy, its moral strength and the shared commitment to struggle against injustice, discrimination and exploitation of any kind remain a strong bond between us. Two aspects of modern India have caught the attention of the world — one is our successful and unmatched democratic experiment, in which we have been able to give voice to a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multilingual soci-

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Q U A R T E R L Y

ety. The second is the success story of “I need not elaborate on the technologies. The spirit of partnership is further strengthened by the large our economy, which has been growrole that an informed media number of trainees from several ing at a rate of 8 to 9 percent.

Though we still have several chal- can play in both the political African nations who have studied lenges before us, both in the political as well as socio-economic in India under the Indian Technical and Educational Cooperation as well in the socio-economic sectors, growth of developing Programme (TECP).

60 years of independent decisionThe possibilities of further coopermaking have given us the confidence countries. The introduction ation, both economic and political, in that we would be able to face these of new ideas, the analysis the context of a multi-polar and globchallenges successfully. In this conof different trends, alised world, are enormous. The 54 text, African nations, with their own the protection and countries of Africa and India continabove average rates of growth and the huge potential of their economies, are promotion of democracy, ue to work together in international like the UN and WTO. We have ideal partners for India today. the encouragement of civil fora common approaches to the chalMahatma Gandhi, one of our most important and evocative links with the society and the exposure of lenges of global warming and climate African continent, would say: corrupt practices are only change, HIV/ AIDS and other pan“Commerce between India and Africa some of the areas in which demics, as well as to global threats, such as terrorism. will be of ideas and services, not of the media can play Platforms like this conference that manufactured goods against raw the lead role” you have all participated in today promaterials after the fashion of western vide ample opportunity for a free disexploiters”.

India’s development assistance to African nations has a cussion and exchange of ideas, which can inform both our strong focus on empowerment of people through capacity societies. I need not elaborate much on the role that an building and connectivity. A multi-pronged approach has been informed media can play in both the political as well as adopted, which combines creative use of Lines of Credits with socio-economic growth of developing countries. The introthe deployment of Indian expertise to create assets in Africa duction of new ideas, the analysis of different trends, the and to establish high-tech projects. The development of local protection and promotion of democracy, the encourageskills is part of all such projects. We have taken care that the ment of civil society and the exposure of corrupt practices Indian involvement in the African economies should be cost are only some of the areas in which the media can play the effective and provide relevant and appropriate intermediate lead role.

I trust that your exchanges at this conference have been useful in identifying some of the common approaches that the media of the 21st century, both in India and on the African continent, can adopt in meeting these challenges.

I would invite all of you to continue the process that has been started by this conference and build linkages which can become self-sustaining and permanent. Once again, I would particularly thank the distinguished visitors who have come all the way from Africa for this conference, and also Indo-Asian News Service, which has partnered with the Ministry of External Affairs in putting together this conference.

I thank you.

(This is the text of the speech delivered by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the India-Africa Editors Conference in India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee (right) meeting Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister New Delhi on April 3.)

Ato Seyoum Mesfin, in New Delhi on April 7.

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C O M M O N

V O I C E

Rolling back information DEFICIT

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It is important that while we talk of the present we do not forget the past, which has led to a deeper understanding between the political leadership and people of Africa and India, says India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.

am very happy to be with you this morning to share some of my observations. India and Africa share a special relationship, a relationship that is rooted in history, and unfortunately does not get the due recognition in media. You all are in a profession to influence and shape public opinion. Therefore, informing the civil society at large about the significance of the engagement of Africa and India is important. Not informing would be a disservice to all of us.

It is important that while we talk of the present we do not forget the past, which has led to a deeper understanding between the political leadership and people of Africa and India.

In the last century, both India and Africa struggled for our freedom from colonialism and thus forged a special bond.

It was Mahatma Gandhi, who had gone to South Africa as a lawyer. He stayed on in South Africa for 22 years and fought against racial discrimination and humiliation of the people.

He returned to India and mobilised the masses. His philosophy of non-violence gave voice to our people who were then able to challenge the mightiest empire of that time.

We must not forget how we have arrived in the 21st century carrying some of those memories and burdens. It was Gandhi again who had said after India’s Independence that India’s freedom would be incomplete as long as Africa remained in bondage. Equally strong was the commitment of Jawaharlal Nehru, who emphasised on the unity and understanding of the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

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You know about the journey of a few important decades of the last century when the developing world found not only a common cause but also a common voice, which was articulated in multilateral forums by the ‘vested interests’ and those who could not reconcile to the emergence of Asia and Africa.

We have to, therefore, reflect in the contemporary context where we stand and what we can do together. It will be important to do so because Africa and India together account for one-third of humanity. India in the last 60 years has achieved many milestones in its quest for development. That is exactly what Africa is seeking to achieve and that is what Gandhi had stood for.

I have come back to Gandhi because, he talked of poverty, education, empowerment of the people, environment and models of development, which would be in harmony with the nature and environment. In the 21st century the world is grappling with all these issues.

I often wonder that he was a visionary who could recognise these pitfalls and the problems a century before the others. All the wise people in the world are today commenting and writing on climate change and the other attendant issues. That is where I feel Africa and India together have much to contribute.

At the same time the credit goes to our leaders and people who had the determination not to be overwhelmed by these challenges but to confront them. India has expertise in the high end of technology though we still have the problem of abject poverty and hunger. However, India today is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In

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Africa also, many countries have registered impressive years ago, our then president had gifted Africa a dedicated satellite, to bridge the digital divide. The Pan-African growth rates. Democracy is taking firm roots.

African leaders have come together to work for region- E-Network Project today is operational. The hub from al integration. But at the same time in my country if we Senegal will soon be operational. Already 29 countries have the largest middle-class in the world by global stan- have been linked. It is a revolutionary leap in tele-educadards — even if we say it is 22 per cent of our people liv- tion and tele-medicine.

It was in February 2006 that we first proposed and I suging in poverty, is more than 230 million people.

In the case of Africa, it is over 40 per cent of the popu- gested to our prime minister that we must take steps to instilation. So, it is a huge challenge. It is the tragedy of our tutionalise India’s engagement with Africa. But we wanted to times that a continent, which is so rich in resources, is also do it guided by Africa, the leaders of Africa and through the seeped in abject poverty. This is because of the exploita- African Union.

It is a Forum Summit and we have the five founding tion of the past. That is exactly the reason I feel, and we in India do feel, that Africa and India have to come together members of NEPAD along with Ethiopia — the Implementation Committee Chair — and all the eight and make our own contribution in the 21st century. regional organisations besides all the India is willing and happy to share sub-regional organisations; the current more than what we have been doing in “Inadequately chair of African Union, the president of the last almost five decades, our own informed analyses, Tanzania; and the immediate past experiences of development, and our reports and writings chair, the president of Ghana. technology. We have been sharing even say that India is also From Algeria we will have the honthe meager resources that we had in the 1960s when we were confronted with trying to engage with our of receiving the elder statesman from Africa president Bouteflika. It is monumental challenges of development Africa like China is also the case with Burkina Faso, and dealing with this issue of poverty and doing because of Congo, Ethiopia and Ghana. From hunger. That is where Africa and India come together as partners, partners in Africa’s resources, like Libya, of course, we do have a senior development.

Europe is doing, India minister leading the delegation.

Senegal, South Africa, I, like all of you, read in the magais also trying to catch Nigeria, Zambia, all of your leaders will be zines and in the newspapers inadeup. I pity those who here. We do hope that together they quately informed analyses, reports and will be able to address these issues that writings that say India is also trying to have such little engage with Africa like China is doing knowledge and make I was referring to, and give new hope to our people. because of Africa’s resources, like such patronising and Before I conclude, I may mention that Europe is doing, India is also trying to sweeping comments” when we are together on partnership and catch up... I pity those who have such sharing of experiences, the four things, little knowledge and are making such patronising and sweeping comments. Our engagement, as which I did briefly mention — the food security, health secuI said, has been over a millennia. We understand each other rity, energy security and climate change — are deeply linked.

We cannot address one by ignoring the other three. Food secuand feel for each other.

India is not embarking on a new journey to discover rity definitely is linked with the health security, the malnourAfrica and that should be made clear both by the media in ishment of the people!

For health security, there are transnational challenges — not Africa and India. In the 1960s — we were not a rich counonly HIV AIDS but also tuberculosis, malaria — they are not try, we are not even today — but we were sharing.

Tens of thousands of students from Africa come here confined to one region.

When we look at energy, the quest for security through to study. If there is one singular contribution, which India has done, that is the ITEC programme and the scholar- bio-fuels, resulting in the diversion of food grains, is particularly worrying. Now, we know that the food prices ship schemes.

The focus of India has been, and shall continue to be, have been pushed up. There is food scarcity.

So, all these four issues have to be addressed together. on capacity-building and human resource development in Africa. There are more friends from Africa who come to India and Africa share a dream that we will overcome the India not only for scholarship but also for dedicated cours- burdens of the past and together write a new chapter of a es in capacity building. But, in addition to that we have to rising Africa and a resurgent India.

Thank you. work together in the field health, agriculture, infrastruc(This is the text of the speech delivered by India’s Minister of State for ture development, energy, and climate change.

During the last 25 years, India leapfrogged to a leader- External Affairs Anand Sharma at the India-Africa Editors Conference ship position in the field of information technology. A few in New Delhi on April 3.)

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‘The CENTURY of Asia and Africa’ The summit marks the start of a new chapter in the history of cooperation between India and Africa, says Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

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am truly delighted and deeply honoured to have this opportunity to welcome this distinguished galaxy of leaders from Africa for the first India-Africa Forum Summit.

Excellencies, your presence here today marks the start of a new chapter in the history of cooperation between India and Africa.

Africa is our Mother Continent. The dynamics of geology may have led our lands to drift apart, but history, culture and the processes of post-colonial development have brought us together once again.

For the people of India, Africa is also the land of awakening of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The birth of an independent India in 1947 in turn provided powerful support to the forces of nationalism and decolonisation in Africa. The emergence of Ghana as the first independent country in sub-Saharan Africa in 1957 was followed by the tumultuous decades of the sixties, seventies, and eighties culminating in the end of apartheid in 1994 in the very same land that had created the Mahatma.

Ever since independence, our national leaders — Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi — have been ardent champions of the cause of Indo-African cooperation.

We pay tribute to the political leaders and intellectuals of Africa who fought for Africa’s emancipation and laid the vision

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of pan-Africanism in the 20th century. As I look into the 21st century, I am convinced that the free people of a new Africa and a new India will come even closer, through mutually beneficial relationships based on equality and fraternity.

We share a common societal commitment to pluralism, to inclusiveness and to the creation of a world that is fair to all its inhabitants. Our shared vision of the world should enable us to work together on the vital challenges facing humanity.

We have coordinated our position in the United Nations and other international forums. No one understands better than India and Africa the imperative need for global institutions to reflect current realities and to build a more equitable global economy and polity.

New Architecture The time has come to create a new architecture for our engagement in the 21st century. We visualise a partnership that is anchored in the fundamental principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. Working together, the two billion people of India and Africa can set an example of fruitful cooperation in the developing world. The objective of our partnership is to cooperate with all the countries of Africa, within the limits of our capacities and capabilities, in their efforts towards achieving economic vibrancy, peace, stability and self-reliance. Towards this end, it is our intention to

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out to the private sector and make full use of publicprivate partnerships.

It is also our intention to enhance the Aid to Africa Budget of the Ministry of External Affairs for implementing projects in critical areas focusing on human resource development and capacity building. Over the next five to six years, we propose to undertake projects against grants in excess of $500 million. We will strengthen local capabilities by creating regional and pan-African institutions of higher education, especially in sciences, IT and vocational education, and investment in research and development in renewable forms of energy, and agricultural development.

We will enhance opportunities for African students to pursue higher studies in India. As an immediate measure we propose to double our long-term scholarships for undergraduates, postgraduates and higher courses and increase the number of training slots under our technical assistance programmes from 1,100 Preferential market access “The objective of our to 1,600 every year. Both India and We recognise the crucial importance partnership is to cooperate Africa are blessed with young populations. It is only by investing in the creof market access in ensuring the develwith all the countries of ative energies of our youth that the opment dimension of international Africa, within the limits of potential of our partnership will be trade. Accordingly, I am happy to our capacities and fulfilled. To harness this vast potenannounce a Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme for Least capabilities, in their efforts tial, I propose that we work towards the establishment of an India-Africa Developed Countries on the occasion towards achieving Volunteer Corps that is devoted to of this Summit. Under this Scheme, India shall unilaterally provide prefer- economic vibrancy, peace, development work. The Volunteer ential market access for exports from stability and self-reliance. Corps can on a pilot basis identify proall 50 least developed countries, 34 of It is our intention to become jects in the areas of public health, informal education and women’s which are in Africa. The Scheme will a close partner in Africa’s empowerment. As we gather more cover 94 percent of India’s total tariff resurgence” experience, the scope of activities can lines. Specifically, it will provide prefbe progressively widened. erential market access on tariff lines India’s commitment to peace, stability and socio-ecothat comprise 92.5 percent of global exports of all LDCs. Products of immediate interest to Africa which are covered nomic development in African continent and for it to play include cotton, cocoa, aluminium ores, copper ores, cashew an ever-growing role in international relations is steadfast. nuts, cane sugar, ready-made garments, fish fillets and non- The 21st century is often described as the Asian century.

India wishes to see the 21st century as the ‘Century of Asia industrial diamonds.

Our cooperation must actively co-opt trade and industry and Africa’ with the people of the two continents workin the processes of growth and development in Africa. ing together to promote inclusive globalisation.

Events in India and Africa in the middle of the 20th cenOver the last few years, India has acquired considerable experience in undertaking projects in different countries in tury changed the world. Today we have a second chance Africa through extension of concessional lines of credit by to take charge of our own destiny, and give new meaning the EXIM Bank of India. So far, between 2003-04 and 2008- to the concept of sustainable, equitable and environment09, we have extended lines of credit amounting to $2.15 bil- friendly development.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and benefiting lion. Over the next five years, we will more than double this amount and offer additional lines of credit amounting to $5.4 from your wisdom on how we can together shape a better life billion, both bilaterally and to the regional economic com- for our future generations. I would like to once again thank you, Excellencies, for having accepted my invitation to join us munities of Africa.

Developing infrastructure in the areas of railways, IT, tele- in New Delhi for this First India-Africa Forum Summit. I com and power generation and physical connectivity in Africa wish you a very pleasant stay in India.

Thank you. would be a priority.

We will promote activities of small, (Opening Address by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at Plenary medium and micro enterprises. In this task, we will reach Session-I of India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on April 8.) become a close partner in Africa’s resurgence. There is much to be gained in sharing our development experiences. In India we have sought to empower our people by investing in their capabilities and widening their development options. Transfer of knowledge and human skills will strengthen our mutual capabilities. Such exchanges must go beyond government-togovernment interactions and embrace our civil society, academics, artists and writers.

We face emergent common challenges of food security, energy security, pandemics, terrorism and climate change. We should have cooperative mechanisms for exchange of views, consultation and for working out common strategies for addressing such pressing issues.

The Delhi Declaration and the Africa-India Framework for Cooperation will provide the blueprint for India-Africa dialogue and engagement in the 21st century.

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Solutions through a STRATEGIC partnership There are challenges to be overcome in strengthening the India-Africa partnership in order to promote sustainable development in Africa, says C. Agostinho Do Rosario, Dean, African Diplomatic Corps.

The High Commissioner of Mozambique and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Carlos Agostinho do Rosario (right), seen here in a file photo at an event in New Delhi.

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feel greatly privileged being invited to this prestigious international conference on ‘Africa-India Partnership in the 21st Century’. I would like to thank the Indian Council of World Relations, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and the African Studies Association of India (ASA), for organising this prestigious international conference. Contemporary and important, it is a subject that will certainly be considered deeply at the India-Africa Partnership Summit. I feel honoured standing before you this morning to place a few remarks at this inaugural session. I invite the kind support and cooperation of all in strengthening this genuine and strategic partnership to help achieve our common objectives of combating poverty and promoting peace, stability and sustainable devel-

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opment in Africa and India. India and Africa have several profound reasons for a strategic, balanced and responsible partnership in the 21st century, of which I would like to mention a few: ■ In the words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, “though separated by the Indian Ocean, Africa is in a sense our next-door neighbour”.

■ The relationship between Africa and India dates back to thousands of years. Therefore, India and Africa are not discovering each other now.

■ India and Africa are bound together by very old traditions of friendship and common historical struggles against the evils of colonialism, apartheid, racism and injustice of all sorts. This common historical background offers one of the great opportunities for strengthening this genuine and strategic IndiaAfrica partnership in the 21st century.

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■ The other reason is because India has become a signifi■ Accelerating African industrialisation so as to add value cant player in the global economy and India’s emergence rais- to the huge African natural resources and get good, fair and es the demand for Africa’s natural resources. competitive prices for African goods.

It is in the above environment of profound reasons for a ■ Accelerating infrastructural development which will facilgenuine and strategic partnership between India and Africa itate intra-African trade and economic development in the that we are keen to work together for better and greater rep- continent. resentation in UN organisations and other international ■ Enhancing economic cooperation, trade and improved forums, so as to have our voice heard in international decision- market access for African products. making.

■ Drawing on India’s ‘Green Revolution’ experience to In the aforementioned context, India and Africa should help boost agricultural production in order to combat hunger work together with a view to bringing Africa and India closer and disease in Africa. on the question of UN reforms, particularly the expansion of Combating hunger and disease in Africa are the key areas the UN Security Council. It is also in the above environment of this strategic partnership to help meet the first of the of strengthening the India-Africa partnership that India has Millennium Development Goals set by world leaders at the launched and successfully implemented a number of initia- UN Summit in 2000, which aims to reduce the proportion of tives to support the continent’s peace, stability and develop- the world’s hungry and starving by half by 2015. ment efforts. Among others, these efforts have borne fruit in The challenges are enormous but can be overcomed, if we the following areas: work together. There are huge opportunities of investment in Africa. Determined to raise its share ■ Human Resources “India and Africa are bound in world trade, African countries are Development and Capacity making significant changes in ecoBuilding: Many Africans are being by very old traditions of nomic and social policies. True trained in Indian universities. ICCR friendship and historical in rural developand ITEC also conduct short-term struggle against the evils of transformation ment, an all inclusive healthcare syscourses for African students under colonialism, apartheid and tem, rapid growth in education, the its scholarship schemes. ITEC has rule of law, good governance and an been training more than 1,000 benracism. This historical emerging democratic culture are eficiaries annually from Subbackground offers striking deep roots in African counSaharan Africa since 1964. a great opportunity for tries. We should try our best to ■ India has opened many lines of strengthening this genuine accelerate these economic and credit to Africa to help its process of social developments through a development. and strategic partnership stronger India-Africa partnership ■ India has helped set up an ein the 21st century” in the 21st century. connectivity programme which will Together we will succeed. As benefit 53 countries of the African Union to boost development in tele-education and tele- together we were victorious yesterday against colonialism, apartheid, racism and injustice, today, nothing will prevent medicine.

India and Africa from succeeding in its strategic partnership.

■ India has actively supported the United Nations peaceLet us interact and work together to build a flourishing, deep keeping process in many countries of Africa. and everlasting partnership between ‘Africa and India in the ■ India has provided technical assistance under South21st century’, where African countries would provide opporSouth Cooperation.

All of Africa acknowledges these important initiatives of tunities for investment, trade and industrialisation while, in turn, India would share with Africa, its technology and experIndia in the context of the Indo-Africa partnership.

Although India and Africa share a robust relationship, there tise.

Excellencies, and distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, are challenges to overcome in strengthening their partnership kindly allow me to thank you all once again for giving me this in order to promote sustainable development in Africa.

Therefore, the strategic partnership between India and opportunity to place my remarks at this inaugural session of Africa in the 21st century should bring about solutions for the the prestigious international conference on “Africa-India various issues included in NEPAD (New Partnership for Partnership in the 21st Century”.

I look forward to a bright future for Indo-Africa partnership Africa’s Development). Some of these issues, among others, in the 21st century, and together we will make a are as follows: difference.

■ Raising the level of investments in human capital develThank You. opment in Africa.

(Remarks by Dean of African Diplomatic Corps, C. Agostinho ■ Promoting more capacity-building, technology acquisitions as well as knowledge-generation, Do Rosario, at the International Conference on ‘Africa-India Partnership in the 21st Century’ in New Delhi on April 2.) sharing and applications.

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Sharing a common VISION India and Africa share a common vision of inclusive and equitable growth, and a common worldview, says Nalin Surie, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs.

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External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Secretary (West) Nalin Surie at the Heads of Missions meeting in Addis Ababa, on July 4, 2007.

n behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this international conference on “Africa-India Partnership in the 21st Century�. At the outset I would like to thank our distinguished panelists from Africa who have travelled long distances to be with us here today.

Our gratitude also to all the distinguished participants from India. I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the African Studies Association of India, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries, and to the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) for putting together this very important meeting of intellectuals. Ashok Kumar, Director-General, ICWA, has been the driving force behind this conference and my special thanks go to him.

This conference is part of a series of outreach activities that are being held in India to feed into the India-Africa Forum Summit being held in New Delhi on April 8-9. This is a

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stand-alone summit that is intended to allow the leaders of India and select African countries, chosen by the African Union, to brainstorm and devise ways and means of taking forward the India-Africa Partnership in light of the changed circumstances, both in India and of Africa.

I must stress that the India-Africa Partnership is not new.

It is age-old and has been continuously evolving. Our effort now is to take into account the very fundamental changes taking place in Africa: the development and growth of democratic processes and pluralism, the rapid economic growth rates, the processes of integration, and the expressed desire to take charge of their own destiny. Similarly, there have been fundamental changes in India. We are now a rapidly growing economy. Our democracy continues to flourish and we are today more integrated in the world economy than before.

Our ability to help each other is far greater today than ever in the past. Our effort, therefore, is to build on complementarities and synergies to mutual benefit.

Viewed from the above perspective, your deliberations assume especial importance. The agenda of your meetings

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is a most meaningful one. Our expectation is that the out- small and medium enterprises. The opportunities for come of your deliberations will provide us in the govern- India and Africa to work together, bilaterally, through the ment, new and creative ideas on how best to deepen and regional economic communities, through public-private partnerships, through direct joint ventures and straightfordiversify our partnership.

The subjects that you are addressing, namely trade and ward investment are enormous. They cover sectors, such as investment, technological progress, human resource agriculture, SMEs, health, education, infrastructure, infordevelopment and capacity building, energy and sustain- mation technology and communications, automobiles and able development, are all crucial for ensuring inclusive other transportation systems, manufacturing and developand rapid growth. Your individual expertise and your ment of railways. The lines of credit that the government hands on experiences will, no doubt, help contribute of India has extended through Exim Bank have opened the way for such greater engagement. enormously to the discussions.

There are risks involved but there is no life and profit withThe India-Africa Forum Summit will allow the political leadership of India to interact at the highest level with the out risk. It is the government’s policy to encourage Indian countries of Africa that currently chair the eight regional eco- industry, Indian entrepreneurs, agriculture, and service pernomic communities of that continent, the founder members sonnel to build new cooperative partnerships in Africa. We of NEPAD, the current and past country presidents of the can, for instance, visualise a situation where we have joint African Union and, of course, the Chairperson of the African ventures producing foodgrains, pulses and oil seeds for export Union Commission. This is a representative group of coun- to India, in addition to domestic use and export to other countries. tries and covers all major parts of the “Our effort is to take into India is also keenly studying continent. It will enable us to better understand the problems and priori- account the very fundamental the processes of integration that are taking place in Africa. These ties of Africa today and to agree on changes taking place in not only have political implicahow best we can enhance our engageAfrica — the development tions but also have a very imporment with Africa to meet the socioand growth of democratic tant economic dimension. We economic development requirements of individual nations and of the processes and pluralism, are also fully aware and are in regional economic communities. the rapid economic growth harmony with Africa’s desire for greater value addition of its proThe intention is to adopt, at the end rates, the processes of duce within Africa. of the summit, a declaration of politiintegration, and the Our efforts at institutional cal principles and an action plan. You capacity building have indeed would be happy to know that the expressed desire to take been aimed at helping bring action plan that is being discussed will charge of their own destiny” about such an outcome. India benefit enormously from the outcome and Africa are inexorably linked. of your deliberations for the areas of focus in that document are quite similar to the content of We have been and continue to be natural partners. We share a common vision of inclusive and equitable socioyour discussions.

India’s approach to its partnership with Africa has, from its economic growth for our people and a common worldinception, been based on principles of equality, mutual respect view. We stand together on critical issues such as the fight and mutual benefit. Our effort has always been to cooperate against terrorism, climate change, multilateral trade negowith the countries of Africa, within the framework of our tiations, UN reforms and reforms of international financapabilities and experiences and to help meet the require- cial institutions.

The Indian Ocean unites us. Africa is determined to ments of Africa’s socio-economic development. We have, without any self-interest, participated in major UN peace- find its true place in the international community. We keeping efforts in Africa to ensure that peace and stability is stand by Africa in this endeavour and intend to be a close restored in areas where there has been conflict. Without peace partner in its resurgence.

In conclusion, may I once again thank you for your and stability there can be no development.

As our own capabilities and resource base has grown, patience in listening to me. I wish you success in your we have broadened the scope of our cooperative activi- deliberations. We look forward to a concrete outcome ties with the continent. More importantly, as India’s from this important conference which will help us greatprivate sector has grown and begun to operate outside ly in our efforts towards deepening and diversifying the India, they have found useful opportunities in many India-Africa partnership and making it even more relevant countries on the continent. So too did the Indian pub- in the coming decades. lic sector which, in fact, in many respects pioneered (Inaugural Address by Nalin Surie, Secretary (West), Ministry of India’s industrial and infrastructural outreach in many External Affairs, at the International Conference on ‘Africa-India countries of Africa, including in the development of Partnership in the 21st Century’, in New Delhi, on April 2.)

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Africa, the continent of HOPE India’s development experience holds out useful lessons for Africa in terms of rebuilding its economies and upgrading its tools of production, says Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with South African President Thabo Mbeki, Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan and the Algerian President’s Personal Representative (second from left) Ahmed Ouyahia during the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on April 9.

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is Excellency, your brother and friend, Mr. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has done me the honour of instructing me to share his deep regret at not being able to be here because of a particularly busy national calendar. He also expresses his best wishes for the success of the India-Africa Forum and assures you that Algeria will commit itself fully and with conviction to follow up on the resolutions of this important meeting. I personally would like to thank, on behalf of the Algerian delegation, the Indian Government for the warm welcome and hospitality which we have received.

I have now the honour to convey the message of Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, to this honourable assembly.

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“Over recent decades, there have been many opportunities to measure the depth of solidarity between India and Africa.

From the anti-colonialist to the Non-Aligned movements, or calling for a new international economic order in forums like the Group of 77 and the G15, India and Africa have been fighting and struggling for a more just and balanced world order.

Our Summit takes place at a time when the economic progress of Africa and India has never been so important. The remarkable economic performance of India also gives it a prominent role in its partnership with Africa. India continues to record positive gains in all segments of the economy. Today, with a growth rate exceeding 5 percent without interruption during the last decade, Africa is the continent of hope. Algeria, part of the renewal of Africa, is recovering from a painful national tragedy which, however, did not hold back the process of reforms and national reconstruction.

Today, its important domestic market increasingly attracts

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foreign investments with all the required guarantees. Mittal Steel is an example of The Personal the success of a partnership among the Representative of the Algerian countries of the South, and Algeria praisPresident, Ahmed es India for it. Furthermore, Algeria has Ouyahia, at the first launched an ambitious programme to India-Africa Forum Summit in New develop its infrastructure in all areas with Delhi on April 8. an entirely self-financed public expenditure of $150 billion. This programme offers real opportunities for Indian companies. I hope major Indian companies will contribute to the reconstruction of Algeria and will also benefit from it, along with dozens of other foreign companies already working in our country.

India’s development experience is of great interest to our countries and holds useful lessons for us in terms of rebuilding our economies and upgrading our production tools. We must, therefore, initiate a process to add value, in an efficient manner, to our economic complementarities and lay the foundations for a genuine partnership involving Indian traders with their African partners. I note with satisfaction the remarkable growth in the cooperation between India and African countries in various sectors, as well as the substantial increase of their trade volume from a mere $1 billion in 1991 to $25 bilMittal Steel is an example of the success of a lion in 2006-2007. partnership among the countries of the South.

This progress must encourage us to carry out a lucid and global assessment of our Furthermore, Algeria has launched an ambitious economic, trade and cultural relations and programme to develop its infrastructure in all help us draw up a blueprint for the future areas with an entirely self-financed of our partnership.

Our global relationship must not become entrenched in purely commercial interests.

We are certainly still far from having explored the full potential of cooperation between us, especially in areas where Indian expertise has become a world reference point — in the pharmaceutical industry or the information and communication technologies sector. It is up to us to forge this dynamic of cooperation into a genuine partnership that meets the aspirations of our people.

Today, Africa is a reliable and credible partner.

In this respect, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) offers us, in its various dimensions, prospects and an appropriate framework for setting up the guidelines of an Indo-African partnership that we aim to establish. I am pleased to emphasise here that one of the largest infrastructure projects included in this framework, the LagosAlgiers Trans-Saharan pipeline, has already attracted the attention of many major Indian companies.

This summit represents an historic opportunity to establish a permanent dialogue between India and Africa and to create

expenditure of $150 billion

the necessary conditions for a political and economic partnership that would open new prospects for global cooperation between our two countries.

Our shared commitment to the virtues of dialogue and peace and our respect for international law reiterate our commitment to intensifying dialogue in the service of peace, progress and democratisation of international relations. The aim of collective autonomy, which has become a priority of South-South cooperation, is more than ever within our capabilities. The solidarity that has been so far a feature of the Indian relations with the African continent, calls for a new type of partnership, based on our experience and our success. I am confident that our present meeting will give the necessary inspiration to the Afro-Indian reconstruction we all hope to achieve.”

(Speech by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria, delivered by his Personal Representative, Ahmed Ouyahia, at the ‘India-Africa Forum Summit’, in New Delhi, on April 8.)

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Collaborating to move FORWARD India has carved a niche for herself. Indian expertise in IT, medicine, agriculture and technology can help Africa craft newer development models, says Tertius Zongo, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso.

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The Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Tertius Zongo, meeting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on April 7.

n behalf of the Burkina Faso delegation, I wish to convey to His Excellency the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Government of India, and the brotherly people of the Federal Republic of India, our pleasure and our gratitude for the warm welcome we have received since our arrival in New Delhi.

The first India-Africa Forum Summit is an expression of our common will to strengthen South-South cooperation for the benefit and well-being of the Indian and African people in a world driven by competition.

I bring with me the full support of His Excellency, Blaise CompaorĂŠ, President of Burkina Faso and current Chairman of the Economic Community of the States of West Africa (ECOWAS), in this spirit of mutual solidarity between India and Africa, who are more than ever determined to fight and overcome, with the active support of the international community, all kinds of obstacles impeding their progress towards sustainable development. A determination that lies in our will-

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ingness to move towards further integration. In this sense, we have defined for our continent new development prospects in 2015 through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). This initiative, understood as a framework for interaction between the African continent and the rest of the world, is expected to translate into reality the African vision of development focused on the fight against poverty and the entrenchment of good governance.

The implementation of this new partnership requires us Africans to strengthen institutional and political stability, improve our macro-economic framework and business environment, and mobilise internal resources. However, it also expects from the international community a more active solidarity, especially since the recent mid-term review of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) showed unequivocally that Africa, particularly subSaharan Africa, is not close to achieving them.

Accordingly, this summit will help address the political conditions of Africa, and also help in highlighting them prominently in international agendas. True, in recent years, the continent has experienced improvement with economic growth

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At the sub-regional level, the establishment of a new cooptouching almost 6 percent on average per year. But the current economic environment, characterised by the volatility in eration mechanism like the ‘Techno-Economic-Approach for oil and food prices and the persistent fluctuations of the dol- Africa-India Movement (TEAM-9)’ has helped to launch many development projects in West Africa. lar, poses real risks to this upturn.

As far as cooperation between India and ECOWAS is conHowever, the continent has more capacity to evaluate the situation and cope with it. The following elements allow me cerned, a concessional credit line of $250 million has been opened to help finance sub-regional projects. Finally, it should to support this statement: African companies are increasingly expanding their be noted that there are other frameworks for cooperation investment programmes and have made remarkable gains in between India and African sub-regions, such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East productivity; The emergence of best practices in political gover- African Community (EAC) and the Southern African nance, management and transparency even as the fight against Development Community (SADC).

This means that the close relationship between India corruption grows stronger; Judicial systems are being strengthened and modernised and Africa continues to grow because we have been able while competent human resources are increasingly available. to work together to find ways for genuine cooperation It is important to appreciate the efforts thus made and con- through collaborative projects.

Obviously, in such circumstances, I cannot stop complivince Africans that they must continue to make the business menting the dynamic cooperation environment even more attractive and between India and Burkina Faso. The sharpen the competitiveness of “In view of soaring prices proof lies in the vast project India has African economies. of agricultural produce, undertaken to mechanise agriculture I also welcome the summit’s initiative to include in its agenda the sup- India’s expertise in terms of and support our water sector, and to port for democracy in Africa, and mechanisation, rational use expand the programme to small and medium irrigation, the impact of development assistance in health, eduof water, modern soil which is more than obvious in our cation, agriculture, small and medium fertilisation practices and agricultural production. enterprises, human resources develIn view of the soaring prices of agriopment, infrastructure, and promomicro credit will help us cultural products, India’s expertise in tion of peace. meet the needs of Burkina terms of mechanisation, rational use of Trade relations between India and Faso in particular and Africa water, irrigation practices, soil fertiliAfrica go back to times immemorial.

These relations have been strength- in general. The cooperation sation and micro credit will help us ened through our struggles against will ensure food security meet the priority needs of Burkina Faso, in particular, and Africa, in gencolonialism and apartheid and through and eradicate poverty” eral. The cooperation in this sector the Non-Aligned Movement. We should not forget that it was on African land that the great will ensure food security and eradicate poverty in rural areas.

Gandhi experimented with the first weapons of non-violence. This summit, therefore, offers us the opportunity to adopt a Today, cooperation between India and Africa is an exam- framework for a stronger partnership between our countries.

For its part, Burkina Faso fully supports the new initiative ple of that complete expression of the solidarity and internalaunched by India and the African Union. But for any viable tional brotherhood we all aspire for.

It pleases me, Mr. Prime Minister, to tell you how much development to happen, the countries themselves must first we appreciate your continued support to Africa’s develop- assume responsibility for their future.

I am confident that it is possible for African countries to go ment which is manifest in your support to NEPAD. The African continent is the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS in further in reducing poverty if, on one hand, these countries its most active population. The fight against this scourge continue to improve their economic policies and the promorequires multi-sectoral approaches and key resources. We are tion of employment and if, on the other, developed countries reassured by India’s offer of help in setting up a fund to fight enhance their official development assistance and accept subsequent adjustments of external debt. this pandemic.

India, which today counts itself among respected emerging As regards the ‘Pan-African e-Network Project’, or the project to establish a pan-African satellite and fibre optic network, nations by virtue of its enthusiasm and work ethic, has an it will contribute to the promotion of cooperation between important role to play within the international community.

I wish India and Africa will continue to move forward to India and Africa through distance education and medicine.

In addition, the regular India-Africa Partnership Summit, forge a more just, caring, open and harmonious world.

Long live India-Africa solidarity! whose last edition was held in New Delhi from March 19 to 21, 2008, provides opportunities for trade and business (Speech by Tertius Zongo, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, at the India-Africa Forum Summit on April 8-9) between Indian and African traders.

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Priority is global PEACE and stability We expect synergies that can push forward the fight against disease, hunger and poverty to make Africa and Asia key partners, says President of Congo Joseph Kabila Kabange.

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would like, in the name of all Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) that I represent here, and on my own behalf, to thank you, and through you, thank the Indian Government and the people of India for the warm welcome and attention we have received from you since our arrival in your beautiful country, with such a rich and millennial history.

I would like to thank you also for the initiative you have taken to hold the present meeting. The fact that many African Heads of State are here today on your side proves that this meeting corresponds to a real and urgent need, and that the consciousness of a shared destiny between Africa and India remains as vital today as it was 40 years ago when the Non-Aligned Movement was launched. Afro-Asian solidarity has greatly contributed towards meeting the challenge of decolonisation and strengthening those African States who have recently acquired sovereignty. We are here on behalf of the same solidarity, confident that it would once again be a guarantee of success for our States, who, on one hand, are today facing challenges to the aspirations of their people, and on the other, challenges of the international environment, both economic and ecological.

We are also here because, as the 2015 deadline approaches, little progress has been achieved in the Millennium Development Goals agreed to in New York in 2000. We believe in the relevant and useful experience of India, which has successfully reduced poverty through education, training, scientific research, micro-credit, agricultural mechanisation, development of the domestic private sector and the promotion of small and medium business.

We pin great hopes on the outcomes of this Summit and expect greater cooperation between India and Africa — a cooperation more focused and mutually beneficial than ever. We expect synergies that can push forward the fight against ignorance, disease, hunger and poverty to make Africa and Asia the ineluctable players for a more just and more humane 21st century, with less conflicts and without the serious threats of global warming, international crime, terrorism and the pro-

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President of Congo Joseph Kabila Kabange at the India-Africa Forum Summit, in New Delhi on April 9.

liferation of weapons of mass destruction. Freed of the shackles of years of war and evil governance, and strengthened by their immense human and natural resources, including one of the largest freshwater reserves of the planet, the site of Inga with unparalleled hydro-electric potential, and a massive forest which is the world’s second lung, the Democratic Republic of Congo and its brother ECCAS States intend to actively contribute to making this perspective a reality. In this context, and as a contribution to our discussions, let me emphasise that our people, who have only received speeches and promises for decades, are today rather thirsty for concrete actions and projects with visible and immediate impact.

The priority needs of the people of Central Africa, like elsewhere, are the same: infrastructure, water, electricity, schools, hospitals, housing, employment, but also, above all, peace, security and stability. Peace and stability in each of our States; peace and stability in the world.

So it is in these terms that we must consider achieving results … tomorrow will be measured by the quality of our cooperation. In this respect, I am pleased that both the cooperation framework between Africa and India, and the project of the Delhi Declaration are fully in line with this vision. This augurs well for the success of our business. The first IndiaAfrica Forum offers us an opportunity to agree on the best ways to enable our economies and our people to take advantage of opportunities offered by globalisation.

(Speech by Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of Congo, at the ‘India-Africa Forum Summit’, in New Delhi, on April 9.)

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TRANSFORMING the reality of the present An emerging India is better placed than most to help transform Africa and thereby transform the world, says Ato Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

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our Excellency, Dr. Manmohan Singh, prime minister of India, Your Excellency, Sonia Gandhi, Your Excellencies and colleagues from Africa, allow me Mr. prime minister, to join my colleagues in commending you for the initiative you have taken to establish the India-Africa Forum and thank you most sincerely for the specific initiatives you have announced. These initiatives exemplify the nature of the Africa-India partnership that we all espouse. We look forward towards its speedy implementation at all levels — multilateral, continental, regional and bilateral depending on the nature of cooperation in question and its effectiveness.

My colleagues, the leaders from Africa, have eloquently elaborated on the partnership between India and Africa, established in the fight against colonialism, and the firm roots of our current partnership in our common fight against colonialism. There is thus no need to repeat all of that today. I would, however, like to highlight two characteristics of our past partnership that I think are vital for the new partnership we seek to establish.

Our past partnership was not based on accepting the status quo as immutable, it was not based on accepting received wisdom as the ultimate truth. On the contrary, it was based on transforming the status quo, and creating new paradigms. Our past partnership was successful in transforming reality, a reality that was patently unjust, not only because of the justice of our cause but also because each one of us took it upon ourselves to transform our condition through our own efforts, in partnership with like-minded friends.

The partnership we now seek to re-establish too must be based on transforming the present reality that is patently unjust and untenable. Fortunately, the ancient civilisation of India is now re-emerging to not only transform its own reality but also that of the rest of the world. The renaissance of Africa appeared to be a dead letter until recently.

We are now taking matters into our hands and are changing the political and economic features of our continent. In fact, an emerging India is better placed than most to join us in

transforming Africa and thereby transform the world. The partnership we seek to renew cannot succeed unless as in our past fight against colonialism, we all take it upon ourselves the task of changing our own reality. The initiatives you have announced and the framework that we have adopted to guide our partnership assures us that this is indeed a partnership, which can transform the unjust reality of the present through our own efforts. That is why I am convinced that our partnership, which has a glorious past, is likely to have an even more glorious future.

I thank you.

(Remarks by Prime Minister of Ethiopia Ato Meles Zenawi at the ‘India-Africa’ Forum Summit’ in New Delhi on April 9.)

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Propelling growth and DEVELOPMENT The India-Africa partnership is not limited to governments alone — it includes businesses, civil societies, educational and cultural institutions, says Ghana’s President John Agyekum Kufuor.

President of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor being received by Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur at the First India-Africa Forum Summit, in New Delhi on April 8.

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t gives me great pleasure to be here today for the India-Africa Forum which is aimed at enhancing and further strengthening the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Africa. Let me begin by conveying warm felicitations from the Government and people of Ghana to Your Excellency the President, the Prime Minister and the Government, and the people of India, and to express our appreciation for the close cooperation and friendship we share with you.

Socio-economic links between Africa and India go back many years. Indeed, there are many people of Indian descent who have made Africa their permanent home. This identifi-

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cation with one another manifested in our common struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

India and Ghana were founding members of the NonAligned Movement which was subsequently joined by many African countries after attaining independence. Indeed Africa and India, more often than not, take common positions at the UN and other important global forums. We are confident that this bond of friendship will stand us in good stead in facing the challenges of our globalised world.

Richly endowed with natural resources, Africa cries for scientific and technological development for its drive into modernity and growth, and improve the quality of life of its peoples. Under the auspices of the African Union, political, constitutional and administrative arrangements are being fash-

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ioned and nurtured to unify our huge continent. Indeed, the vision of a dignified place in the global village for the continent and its peoples drives the deliberations of the African Union. It was in pursuit of this objective that NEPAD was set up to explore and build capacities for speedier development. NEPAD encourages partnerships both inside and outside the continent to help it gain from the advantages of transfer of know-how, capital and market access that rapid global changes have brought about. It is important here to stress that the partnerships are not limited to governments alone — it includes the private sector businesses, civil societies, and both educational and cultural institutions.

Africa sees India as a strategic partner. The continent is immensely impressed by the sub-continent’s Green Revolution that has enabled it to feed its teeming population.

India’s mastery of information and communication technology and general engineering and also her success in the promotion of small and medium enterprises are all useful lessons for Africa.

The Indian government’s initiatives of economic cooperation with Africa, notably the Focus Africa Programme and the TEAM-9 Initiative, aimed at enhancing wide-ranging cooperation and developing partnerships in the areas of human resource development and health delivery are much appreciated. Similarly, the Pan-African eNetwork Project, which will connect all the 53 member countries of the African Union (AU) via satellite and fibre optic network for India and Ghana were founding members the promotion of tele-medicine, tele-education as well as VVIP connectivity should make of the Non-Aligned Movement which was an historic, far reaching and comprehensive subsequently joined by many African impact on the general development of Africa. countries after attaining independence.

In light of these initiatives, and the many Indeed Africa and India, more often than not, ongoing engagements between India and Africa at various levels, including national, take common positions at the UN regional and continental, it is proper and fitand other important global forums ting that we use this historic Forum to establish a comprehensive framework to guide the tribute greatly towards sustaining global peace, prosperity and partnership into the future.

The outcome should focus on human resource develop- security. May the Forum, therefore, flourish to the benefit of ment, institutional capacity building and deepening of eco- the peoples of Africa and India and indeed the entire global nomic cooperation to the mutual benefit of the two partners. community.

I thank you.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me conclude on a prophetic note. The success of the India-Africa Forum (President John Agyekum Kufuor was speaking at the ‘Africaand its action plan will galvanise and accelerate growth and stability in Africa and India. The achievement will, in turn, con- India Forum Summit’ in New Delhi on April 8.)

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Towards a win-win SITUATION India has now reached a stage where it can play a vital role in assisting African countries in breaking out of the cycle of poverty, says Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya.

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t is a great pleasure for me and my delegation to visit this friendly country of great civilisation. We are extremely grateful for the kind reception extended to us, and are greatly touched by the warm hospitality of the Indian people. I would, therefore, like to take this opportunity on behalf of COMESA and IGAD member countries, to thank the Government and the people of India, and you personally Mr. Prime Minister, for hosting this summit. Let me also thank the African Union and all those who have devoted their time and energy to make this pathbreaking event possible.

India and Africa have a long history of commercial and cultural interactions, which have led to the shared prosperity and common aspirations that characterise our relationship. We also share similar histories of colonialism and the struggle for independence. Indeed the great Mahatma Gandhi whetted his appetite for freedom on African soil.

Having suffered the indignity of colonial oppression and racism in South Africa, he evolved the liberation philosophy of Ahimsa and Satyagraha that eventually became the bedrock of the freedom movement of the oppressed in both India and Africa. In so doing, the Mahatma brought the dream of freedom to so many millions of the colonised and the oppressed.

In recent times, we have stood together in the crusade to gain a genuine and equitable share of the world’s trade as well as a credible voice at the world trade negotiations. To secure for developing countries sufficient gains from globalisation, India has consistently underlined the urgent need to bring down the high tariffs and non-tariff barriers on products of export interest to less developed countries.

In this regard, I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister of India providing for a Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme for all Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as this will undoubtedly improve market access for Africa’s exports.

However, my delegation would wish to request the Government of India to explore the possibility of extending the

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scheme to all African countries. My delegation also welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister to more than double the existing lines of credit to Africa over the next five years.

This is a true indication of India’s strong commitment to Africa.

This summit is a pathbreaking one not only because it allows us to reaffirm our centuries-old relationship but also allows us to upgrade this old relationship taking into consideration the recent achievements of both India and Africa.

We in Africa are eager to start a new and even more vigorous chapter in our relationship. This new relationship should take note of the fact that India has now reached a stage where it can play a vital role in assisting all of us in breaking out of the poverty cycle. Over the past decade and a half, India has embarked on a process of accelerated and almost miraculous growth, while we in Africa have made far-reaching reforms that recognise the benefits of regional integration and greatly embrace private sector-led growth.

Africa inherited fragmented and unsuitable markets from colonialism and it is this realisation that has compelled us to adopt a strategy for regional integration. In this regard, I am happy to note that the Government of India has been an

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observer to COMESA since 2000. It is in this context that more labour intensive and has a longer shelf life. We believe COMESA and India signed a Memorandum of that there are opportunities for African IT companies to work Understanding (MoU) in 2005 that outlines key areas of with their Indian counterparts in gaining skills, resources and cooperation. I am confident that the adoption of a continent- new software development culture and quality.

It is only through technological advancement that our wide framework of cooperation by this Summit will give a economies can be competitive and diversify through value new thrust to COMESA-India collaboration.

I also have the honour to speak on behalf of the Inter addition. What we in Africa are looking for are technologies Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as its cur- better equipped to tackle Africa’s needs like food and agro-prorent chair. IGAD is a grouping of seven Eastern African mem- cessing, health, water and sanitation, and rural development. ber states, which has been very active in promoting peace and Technologies in India are robust and better suited to the working for post-conflict reconstruction in the Horn of Africa. African environment.

Strong linkages are needed between industry, and science The IGAD sub-region has significant importance for marand technology to prioritise innovation as part of the broader itime security in the Indian Ocean.

India’s involvement and contribution, particularly in peace strategy to improve competitiveness. We believe that India consolidation and post-conflict reconstruction in both Somalia can live up to our expectations in this regard.

There is no doubt that political cooperation should also and South Sudan, would ensure peace and security not only form a critical component of our partnership. The serious for the IGAD region but the Indian sub-continent as well. democracy deficit that afflicts the Trade relations between India and United Nations is obvious to both Africa are vital for economic changes “In recent times, India India and Africa. It is my belief that on the continent. India’s extraordinary and Africa have stood our convergence of interests will economic achievements serve as a valutogether in a crusade enable us to align our positions on able lesson for Africa. There is much to gain a genuine and the structure and functioning of the we could learn from India on improvUN Security Council, and revitaliing the African business environment equitable share of the for private sector investment, publicworld’s trade as well as a sation and enhancement of the work of the United Nations General private partnership as well as strengthcredible voice at the world Assembly. We agreed to convene ening the capital markets. India has trade negotiations” here in New Delhi inspired by a been especially successful at developing common resolve to establish a true its small and medium scale enterprises, an area where we lag behind in Africa, condemning would- partnership between Africa and India. This derives from be entrepreneurs to the fringes of the so-called informal sec- our common understanding that we are united by a shared tor. We are convinced that Africa can get much of what it needs interest in the all-round success and development of our to speed its development efforts by learning from India’s expe- regions.

As India and Africa deepen the bonds, we all look forward rience in the area of small and medium enterprises.

Another area of cooperation that Africa and India can take to moving together towards a win-win situation. A winning advantage of is in the field of tourism which has immense partnership is one in which we encourage sustainable trade potential for both sides. I recognise the enormous economic and investment while promoting a better life for all within susbenefits that arise from tourism and the fact that it promotes tainable human settlements. Peace and friendship will best friendship and socio-cultural understanding among nations. flourish when we empower and uplift the poor from hunger The two regions provide great geographical diversity that and unemployment, disease, homelessness, illiteracy and envicould be promoted including eco-tourism. I am happy to note ronmental degradation.

Let us use this forum as a platform for transforming our that some African carriers such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and Egypt Air ply the Indian continental relationship with India on the basis of a shared sub-continent on a daily basis. These connections provide the vision and understanding of our development challenges, and much needed facilitation for enhanced commercial interaction the advancement of the NEPAD objectives.

I am pleased that the Ministers have reached a consensus in the field of tourism.

Perhaps nowhere has the renewal of India been more pro- about the specific areas of distinct complementarity, comparfound than in the area of ICT. It is not lost to all of us assem- ative advantage, and potential cooperation in our partnership. bled here today that Sabeer Bhatia, a native of India invented We want to stand side by side with India and grow together.

Hotmail, the most popular firm of Internet-based email and It is in this spirit that I wish to support the adoption of the sold it for $400 million to Microsoft. About 750 ICT firms in Delhi Declaration together with the Framework for the Silicon Valley are owned by Indians, mostly graduates of Cooperation, which, have been recommended to the Summit by the Foreign Ministers. the Indian Institutes of Technology.

Software production is a potential entry for Africa into ICT (President Mwai Kibaki was speaking at the ‘India-Africa Forum production. Compared to hardware, it is less capital intensive, Summit’, in New Delhi, on April 9.)

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Action plans must be clear and CONCRETE Africa must identify its problems, exploit its comparative advantages and design fair and just strategies to reap positive fruits, says Nigerian Vice President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

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our Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I bring you very warm felicitations from President Umaru Yar’ Adua and the people of Nigeria on the occasion of the First AfricaIndia Partnership Forum Summit in Delhi. We thank the Prime Minister, the government and people of India for hosting this very important meeting. This summit, as we all know, is the product of the collaboration between the African Union and India and it does signal the immense possibilities for further cooperation between the two parties.

Your Excellencies, we are delighted to be part of this inaugural summit and we are looking forward to frank and productive deliberations that will be mutually beneficial to Africa and India. On behalf of the Nigerian delegation, I wish to

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express our appreciation to the government and people of India for making this summit a reality and for the warm welcome that we have received since our arrival.

It is a reflection of Indian friendship, which affirms the desire to give this initiative that organic strength to enable it to be the bridge between the peoples of Africa and India.

Nigeria’s participation in this historic summit is encouraged by the urgent need to build bridges across continents and countries with the goal of eliminating poverty and achieving peace and prosperity within our nations.

It is true that most countries in the Southern hemisphere are disadvantaged economically and the move to reverse the unpleasant situation needs to be pursued vigorously and cooperatively. We must identify our problems, exploit our comparative advantages and design fair and just strategies that will enable us to reap positive fruits from these endeavours. We believe that Africa’s more than ever before, is determined to be the driving force for its own development. The continent must take responsibility for its own destiny.

We are fully aware that India and Africa are linked by shared experiences of history, language, and political and economic systems. In facing the challenges of nationbuilding and economic and social development, we have worked together in many international fora such as the United Nations and the Group of 77. The present initiative is coming at a time of profound global changes. These changes have enormous impact on the regions and States that we represent.

There is a rich history of South-South cooperation. We have, in the past, exhibited solidarity and unity of purpose in the establishment of unique organisations that have served as vehicles for accelerated and enlightened cooperation among us. I recall the Movement of Non-Aligned countries, the Group of 77 (G77) and the G15. They all have served us well, helping to reinforce our place in the global scheme and setting.

India is a partner and friend of Africa. We have always travelled together and the present initiative presents another confirmation of our journey together. Our history offers us unique experiences for reflection but it is to the advancement

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Indian Vice President M. Hamid Ansari with Nigerian Vice President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in New Delhi on November 6, 2007.

of human happiness and global peace that a joint travel in this new century offers the most attractive possibilities.

We believe that through this initiative we can learn from each other and support one another. We must do so by bringing together our experiences and strengths in viable and mutually beneficial programmes. It is in this regard we welcome the Delhi Declaration that we are about to adopt. The declaration provides the compelling rationale for our partnership. And it points the direction that Africa and India should travel in the years ahead. Wedded to the Delhi Declaration is the Framework for Cooperation that spells out in broad outlines the sectors and areas for partnership between Africa and India.

We believe that all these are the critical areas on which a mutually beneficial relationship between Africa and India can be built. We should avoid a plan that is strong on generalisations and intentions but weak in vision and specifics. Action plans, by their nature, must be action-oriented with clear and concrete deliverables.

We appreciate the constructive and cooperative bilateral relations between individual African countries, including the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and India. However, we must underline that this Partnership Forum Summit is about building and propelling AfricaIndia cooperation. To achieve this, there is a compelling need to have a robust Plan of Action that will lead to the achievement of the objectives in the sectors identified in the Framework for Cooperation. We also believe that the appropriate mechanism that will drive and monitor the

process should be embedded in the plan. We are confident that this forum will make a difference in Africa-India relations.

We feel that its outcome should be action oriented. We feel that its result should leave no one in doubt that India view Africa as a strategic partner. We hope that this and future summits will aim at delivering concrete outcomes in the key sectors and areas already identified in the Framework for Cooperation. This, we believe, can be achieved by the establishment of an unambiguous implementation plan and appropriate mechanism to ensure necessary follow-up on our commitments and decisions.

India is unchallengeably the world’s largest democracy.

We call for closer exchanges between our parliaments, political parties and local governments that have important contributions to make in our development. In building enduring democratic systems in pluralistic societies we believe that Africa can learn a lot from India.

Your Excellencies, we have set in motion today a process aimed at reshaping and expanding our existing relations. This enterprise is an affirmation of our age-long and historical ties as well as our determination to face the future together. We can achieve this common objective if we are united in purpose and action. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I thank you for your kind attention. May this day in this city of Delhi make history in the relationship between Africa and India.

(The Nigerian Vice President was speaking at the Africa-India Partnership Forum Summit, in New Delhi on April 8.)

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Seeking a STRATEGIC partnership Senegal and India can together harness financial, technological and natural resources. In fact, their relationship is one of complementarities, says President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade.

Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal, arrives at Palam airport in New Delhi on April 7.

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onourable Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Honourable Heads of State and Government, Honorable chairman of the African Union, gentlemen representatives of Regional Economic Communities, Ladies and Gentlemen, first of all let me start by thanking personally and on behalf of the delegation that accompanies me, the people and the Government of India for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us in this beautiful city of New Delhi. India and Africa share a number of affinities and a long-lasting relationship. Late Professor Cheikh Anta Diop and my illustrious predecessor, President Leopold Sedar Senghor, both eminent intellectuals and men of culture, have always defended in

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their writings the thesis that Dravidian and Negro-African civilisations are related. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, major emblematic personalities of the fight against colonialism, are famous and respected in Africa for their precious contribution in the fight against colonial rule.

India and Africa have always fought in solidarity for the liberation of their peoples. Our companionship carried on and got further consolidated within the NonAligned Movement, in the United Nations and in our common claim for a readjustment of North-South relations through the establishment of a New World Economic Order.

This first India-Africa summit fits, therefore, in the scope of the sense of solidarity and commonly shared history. Today, we are carrying on together with the fight on the economic and social solidarity front, both being indispensable for the liberation of our peoples, because, polit-

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“I would like to propose that our action plan be concise with measurable commitments...

A monitoring mechanism to monitor the outcomes of our summit will be desirable to ensure they are implemented and the deficiencies identified...”

President Abdoulaye Wade, before his departure to Senegal, with Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma, in New Delhi on April 9.

ical independence, just like an incomplete symphony, will still remain as an incomplete undertaking if economic sovereignty is not achieved.

Considering the strong base of our excellent political relations, we are bound to develop a strategic economic partnership by putting together our demographic potential, our financial and technological and natural resources.

The bilateral cooperation between India and Senegal is certainly, among others, an example of what we can achieve based on our complementarities.

The Senegalese-Indian partnership covers, in fact, areas as diverse as agriculture, chemicals, automobiles and mining. Let me emphasise also that at the continental level, Senegal hosts the Pan-African Network Earth Station Project, financed by India and designed to provide telemedicine, distant learning services and video conferences between African heads of state. In fact, this project is about to be inaugurated.

Furthermore, the Export-Import Bank of India just opened a second office in Dakar after the one in Johannesburg.

An institutional frame work like TEAM 9 and its credit line also shows through its concrete achievements the innovative South-South cooperation model India and Africa can develop durably by creating a “value added” compared to classical forms of cooperation. But we should, and we can, still do better by opening up our exchanges to our respective private sectors, all categories included, big companies, and our small and mediumsized enterprises.

The Indian-African business conclave, of which the fourth edition was held in New Delhi last March with a strong attendance of African countries, is going in the

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right direction. It is only through our governments’ concrete encouraging measures and direct contacts between our private sectors that we will be able to give a new impulse to our cooperation.

Thus, it is significant to note that trade between India and West Africa have trebled in the 2002-2007 period.

That makes India the first partner of Senegal in our exports. That must encourage us to explore even more than before investment opportunities, create conditions to get our market to be better known, multiply the possibilities for joint-ventures and promote the diffusion of low-cost, easily-adaptable technologies to Africa.

It is truly at this level that we can make the difference, by leaving behind the narrow framework of public cooperation, necessary indeed but insufficient.

Before concluding, I would like to propose that the action plan that will result from our work is as concise as possible with precise and measurable commitments. It would certainly be desirable to establish an evaluation and monitoring mechanism of our summit to ensure the implementation of these commitments, identify the achievements, assess the insufficiencies and propose necessary redress.

I think that we also have to reflect on a permanent summit and its periodicity. For example, it could be held alternatively in India and in Africa. It seems to me that this is the best way to make it more visible, to better involve our respective people and finally to translate into actions our common philosophy of solidarity, equalitarian, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Thank you for your kind attention.

(Statement of Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal, at the ‘AfricaIndia Partnership Forum Summit’, in New Delhi on April 8.)

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Inclusive development through CITIZENS People to people cooperation can form the basis of a credible framework for sustainable bilateral cooperation, says South African President Thabo Mbeki.

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meeting the President of South Africa, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, in New Delhi on April 9.

his very important summit is central to the strengthening of the partnership between the peoples of India and Africa, so that together we can use our resources and strength to defeat our biggest enemy that is poverty and underdevelopment. The basis of South-South cooperation that continues to inform our actions today was set out at the historic Bandung Conference in 1955 where Pandit Nehru played a critical role, and as you Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reaffirmed this relationship at the Asian African conference held at

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Bandung, Jakarta, in 2005 in which you played an important part. We are indeed, Prime Minister, proud to add our signature to the Framework for Cooperation in the Delhi Declaration at the first Africa India Summit because, in reality, the relationship between our peoples has been cemented by centuries of trade activities, long history of blood relations, indentured labour and of a common struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

Indeed, as it has been said, we are proud that together we can equally lay claim to that indomitable human being Mahatma Gandhi, who straddled Africa and India, thus further strengthening the unbreakable bond between Africans

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and Indians, and through his unflinching commitment to Africans and Indians do not do enough to help liberate women freedom and equality, he taught us how to be able to straddle so that they can play their rightful role in society, so long will the Indian Ocean. we be unable to unleash the entire potentiality of our people.

Today, through the Framework for Cooperation and the For Africa and India to defeat hunger, poverty and underdeDelhi Declaration recommended by the Foreign Ministers, velopment, means that we have to engage all of our citizens to we do indeed follow in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi by be active in the programs that we have agreed on. And on our further strengthening the relations between our two peoples. part we should learn from India how it deals with all the diverAnd again, as we know, Gandhi left an indelible mark in lib- sity of its peoples, and even as she develops, she manages to eration movements across the world, with his emphasis on address hunger. But also for instance we should learn from mass action. This is a lesson that should inform this partner- how Mozambique has overcome a bitter conflict and a civil ship because we will succeed in it if we always engage our cit- war. And how Mauritius is able to develop its economy, izens in every programme we adopt and in every action we take. despite lack of natural resources.

As we work further to strengthen our partnership on the All our peoples are anxiously watching us lay the cornerstone political, economic, social and other spheres of important mat- of this magnificent edifice that we lay today. They know as we ters, like science and technology, tourism, infrastructure, ener- do that the words in the Framework for Cooperation and the gy and environment, let us make our declaration would be meaningless “As we work further to citizens the agents of change. without a dedicated spirit with which In this way, the Framework for Co- strengthen our partnership they should be implemented. Our operation and the declaration would in the social, political and challenges stem from a common root indeed live forever. These are critical and clearly have a common answer. challenges because the pursuit of a bet- economic spheres, besides And the summit has identified the ter life for all our peoples depends on other important areas like proper areas of cooperation which are the progress we make on all of these science and technology, at the very heart of our common strugmatters, and indeed, without the gles to defeat poverty, underdeveloptourism, infrastructure, strengthening of our own institutions ment and the marginalisation of the energy and environment, countries of the South. And lets agree like the regional economic communities which will lead to African integra- let us make our citizens the that this partnership will grow in tion, our economies will be forever be strength so that the peoples of our agents of change. In this countries receive the expertise and localised and unable sufficiently to way, the framework for grow and be globally competitive. resources to enable them to contribute And, indeed, as long as we don’t towards sustainable development and co-operation and the learn to be tolerant of our religious, share prosperity. declaration would indeed cultural, linguistic and racial diversiWe believe that this partnership live forever� ties, our perennial conflicts and wars must feed into the development will persist. And so long as all of us program of the African Union. But we are proud to be a part of this partnership because it strengthens South-South cooperation and will be an important pillar for the developing countries as we continue our struggles for fair trade, for the reform of the Bretton Woods institutions, United Nations as well as the urgent reform of the international financial architecture, all in order to directly impact on the process of globalisation.

We have agreed to finalise a plan of action in a year and we look forward to the African institutions such as the African Development Bank, the Association of African Universities to be active participants in the implementation of the programme.

On behalf of our people, the Prime Minister of our government, let me thank you very much indeed to you for the manner in which you have organised this meeting and the manner in which you have received us.

The bonds between us are an ancient and living reality which is forever strengthened by the role you continue to play in the reconstruction not only of India but also of our President Thabo Mbeki being received by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan own countries and continent.

Singh at the India-Africa Forum Summit, New Delhi, on April 8. Minister (President Thabo Mbeki was speaking at the India-Africa Forum of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma (second from left) is also seen in the photo.

Summit in New Delhi on April 8.)

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TRANSFORMING relations with Africa Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, hopes that the India-Africa Summit will pave the way for the opening of market access for African goods in India.

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with his wife at the Taj Mahal in Agra on April 9.

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wish to thank the organisers of the IndiaAfrica Summit and the Indian Government for their vision of seeking to promote and strengthen the partnership between India and Africa through equitable opportunities.

The relationship between India and Africa spans centuries, with very early trade links.

The Portuguese, in the 16th century, imported Goan workers to build Fort Jesus, where their trade was based. The Asians in Uganda came as labourers for the building of the East African Railway in the year 1890.

There is, indeed, no supplicant in this relationship — we

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all come together to chart out a way forward on mutual cooperation. We, in Africa, appreciate, with keen anticipation, the gesture of the India-Africa Partnership Summit, which clearly demonstrates economic interests at the heart of it. This summit is a god-given opportunity for Africa and India to revive and redefine this relationship for the further transformation of our societies. It is my sincere hope that the IndiaAfrica summit shall, indeed, concretise the existing ties between India and Africa; as well as promote future areas for cooperation and development strategies.

I am pleased to note that this relationship has metamorphosed from casual labour to trade and investment. Africa

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While we explore areas of mutual cooperation between was not cursed, as some opportunists would want us to believe.

She is, in fact, one of the richest regions in the world, in terms India and Africa, I call upon India to partner with us in building industries, modernising services, modernising of both human and natural resources.

What is lacking, however, is the development of these agriculture, expanding infrastructure and capacity-buildresources; as well as the strategic framework in terms of suf- ing. Agriculture, agro and food processing, construction, ficient integration to create a critical mass in terms of market consultancy, mining and minerals, transport infrastructure, power and energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, size and a more attractive investment destination.

Policy mistakes made by African leaders in the 1950s, 60s tourism, information and communication technology and 70s have cost the continent in terms of development. (ICT), iron and steel, human resources development, While countries that were not very different from ours in water management, sanitation, and oil and gas projects in those years have managed to take great leaps towards devel- the private sector, among others, are crucial sectors in the opment, Africa is still marking time. India, too, was colonised transformation of Africa.

In particular, I would like to request the Indian Government by the British and only got independence in 1947; but they are far ahead of many countries that attained independence to encourage Indian companies to invest in Africa so as to take advantage of the zero-tariff, quota-free access to the United around the same time.

States, EU and the Chinese markets that we have already Africa has been bedevilled by the following bottlenecks: secured for a large range of products.

■ Anti-private sector bias, which has been somewhat ameThis will increase employment opportunities for our peoliorated, but not been completely eliminated. This led to the nationalisation of private companies in the 1960s. Idi Amin, ple and improve our people’s purchasing power. The partnership between India and Africa for instance, made the unfortunate should give us a leg-up and enable move of expelling the Indian com“I would like to request Africa to surmount these challenges. munity who had made Uganda the Indian Government to India is among the top five their home, because he did not see the usefulness of the private sector encourage Indian companies sources of foreign direct investment in Uganda. The volume of trade in the economy. A common factor to invest in Africa so as to between India and Uganda rose is an uninformed, distorted form of take advantage of the from $5.6 million in 1989 to $105.5 nationalism, which is manifested in the form of unnecessary bureaucra- zero-tariff, quota-free access million in 2003.

In 2005, Uganda’s imports cies in the investment process. to the United States, from India (salt, pharmaceuticals, ■ Lack of access to international European Union and the agricultural machinery, chemical markets has been a major bottleneck Chinese markets that we have products, spare parts for automoto Africa’s growth and transformaalready secured for a biles and steel) were $93 million. tion. The India-Africa Partnership Uganda’s exports to India, however, shall enhance our opportunities at large range of products” are still negligible, at 0.002 percent of accessing market. total Indian imports to Uganda.

■ Massive value loss from Africa to the outside world on account of exporting semi-processed Exports from Uganda to India (agricultural products like cofgoods; which makes Africans the unacknowledged donors of fee, tea, hides and skins, wood, scrap metal) were, in 2005, valued at $2,848,000. This was on account of our low level of wealth to Europe, USA and other parts of the world. industrialisation.

■ A small fragmented African market, characterised by low We must work towards the reversal of the tilt in the trade purchasing power.

The current population of Africa is estimated to be 900 mil- relations between India and Africa.

The transformation of our predominantly agrarian society lion and it is expected to grow to two billion by 2025. Africa is, therefore, a formidable market. Africa’s exports to India is paramount in all developmental efforts. Challenges to were, in 2001-2005, valued at $10.2 million; and her imports smoothen trade still exist in the form of trade barriers. It is my sincere hope that this summit shall pave the way for the openfrom India were $14.3 billion.

Today, the East African Community (EAC) embraces a ing of market access for African goods in India.

Investments are welcome to Africa to promote value growing market of a combined population of 120 million people, with a combined GDP of about $50 billion. addition, as well as in infrastructural development; for Exports from East Africa (excluding Rwanda and Burundi) instance, in railways and ICT. I call upon you to take advantage of the many investment opportunities that to India in the period 2001-2005 were $171 million.

In order to compete and survive in the modern world, abound in Uganda.

I thank you. we must politically organise at a supra-tribal, supra-national level. We must work for further integration and (President Yoweri Museveni was speaking at the India-Africa Partnership Summit, in New Delhi on April 8.) strengthening of existing economic bodies.

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India-Africa: The way FORWARD The India-Africa Summit is the beginning of a process of how India can evolve its partnership with Africa to meet common challenges, says India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

External Affairs Minister Parnab Mukherjee (centre) and representatives of African countries at the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Africa-India Forum Summit in New Delhi, on April 7. The ministers and delegates from India and 14 African countries discussed future cooperation to finalise two outcome documents of the first-ever India-Africa summit held on April 8-9.

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t is a privilege to welcome you to the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the India-Africa forum summit. I hope you will all have an enjoyable and productive stay in our country.

Excellencies, we are gathered here to renew our age-old partnership with Africa. We are grateful to all the governments of the continent for their overwhelming support in this direction. The India-Africa forum summit is the beginning of a process to see how India can evolve its partnership with Africa to meet the common challenges of 21st century. I, therefore, look forward to hearing your views on this subject.

It is agreed that this India-Africa forum summit will have two outcome documents: a Delhi Declaration and an AfricaIndia Framework for Cooperation.

The Delhi Declaration would cover political issues of bilateral, regional and international interest to India and Africa, including our common positions on UN reforms, climate change, WTO and international terrorism.

The Framework for Cooperation will spell out the common areas on which we have agreed to focus, including human resources and institutional capacity-building, education, science and technology, agricultural productivity and food secu-

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rity, industrial growth, including small and medium enterprises and minerals, development of the health sector, development of infrastructure, ICT and the establishment of judicial systems with police and defence establishments under civilian control.

Africa has always enjoyed an important position in our foreign policy engagement. Our cooperation in your post-colonial reconstruction helped cement our political relationship.

India has over the years shared with Africa its developmental experiences and is committed to cooperating in areas of its strength. India’s model of development has been found to be of use to Africa. Africa is today the largest recipient of India’s technical assistance programme. The Pan African eNetwork Project is an illustration of our efforts at sharing our progress in the knowledge sector and helping bridge the digital divide in Africa. Its pilot project is already functioning in Addis Ababa and the hub in Dakar awaits installation of equipment. Twenty-nine countries of Africa have so far joined this programme.

India has also extended concessional lines of credit of about $2.1 billion to the countries of Africa for developmental projects. On its part, Africa has found merit in regional integration and today seeks to first consolidate its

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regional economic communities. on Climate Change. LongIndian companies have This process will have a significant term convergence of per capita made robust investments emissions of developed and develimpact not only in Africa but also internationally. in Africa in sectors ranging oping countries is an important In recent years, however, we that deserves serious from agriculture to power principle have taken initiatives for establishconsideration. ing relationships with Africa’s generation. We have signed It is imperative that India and regional economic communities.

Africa work closely together, includTrade Agreements with We have made good progress with ing in the NAM/G-77 framework, 29 countries in Africa.

COMESA, SADC, ECOWAS and in the climate change negotiations.

Two-way trade has risen EAC and expect to make similar We must not allow ourselves to be progress with the others. Our divided. Negotiations on the Doha from around $5.5 billion regional cooperative programmes Development Round of the WTO in 2001-02 to over include feasibility studies, consulare also of great concern for us. It is $30 billion in 2007-08 tancies, joint projects in expansion important to maintain and strengthof railway networks, development en the engagement, solidarity and of regional capital and stock markets, food and health secu- cooperation among our countries in this process. Agriculture rity, pilot projects on the establishment of micro, small and remains the key. Any acceptable agreement must adequately medium enterprises and S&T parks, hydro-electric pro- protect the livelihood, food security and rural development jects, and ICT for development. We have also made seri- concerns of developing countries. The developed world must ous efforts to expand our trade partnership with Africa. bring about a reduction in trade-distorting domestic support The 10 India-Africa project partnership conclaves organised and subsidies. There can also be no artificial deadlines.

by India’s CII and EXIM Bank have been successful in boostThe problem of terrorism is well known to your excellening the trade and investment partnership. Indian companies cies. We in India have been fighting this menace for over twohave made robust investments in Africa in sectors ranging and-a-half decades virtually single-handedly. After the 9/11 from agriculture to power generation. We have signed trade terrorist attacks, there is now realisation that this is an interagreements with 29 countries in Africa. Two-way trade has national problem. We are concerned that the tentacles of this risen from around $5.5 billion in 2001-02 to over $30 billion menace are reaching into Africa. We must strengthen our in 2007-08. institutional cooperation against this menace.

At the Pan-African level, we have stepped up our relations Excellencies, reform of the UN, especially of the UN with the African Union, which has acted as a facilitator for this Security Council, has been on the agenda of the internationIndia-Africa Forum Summit. al community for long. It is important to ensure that the I take this opportunity to renew India’s commitment to United Nations reflects contemporary reality. Our positions work in partnership with Africa. on this critical issue are virtually identical though we have a Excellencies, let me also turn to some international issues difference of opinion on how to approach this critical questhat present us with common challenges. Climate change tion. The support of Africa for reform and expansion of the is high on the agenda of the international community. It is UN Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent imperative that strategies to address climate change do not categories, is critical. add greater burden on the progress of developing countries.

India has always been supportive of Africa’s representation I am glad that the Bali Conference has reaffirmed the prin- in the permanent membership of an expanded UN ciples and provisions of the UN Framework Convention Security Council. We must not allow ourselves to be led astray and be compelled to accept interim solutions.

I thank the countries of Africa for their consistent support for India’s membership on an expanded UN Security Council.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, let me once again reiterate how delighted I am that you could accept our invitation to the India-Africa forum summit and this meeting of Foreign Ministers associated with that summit. I look forward to hearing Your excellencies on how best we can take forward the India-Africa partnership in all its dimensions — bilateral, regional and international.

I thank you.

(Speech delivered by Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on April 7 at the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers ahead of the India-Africa forum summit.)

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A DEFINING Moment in Africa-India relationship The Delhi Declaration, together with the Framework for India-Africa Cooperation, will serve as a blueprint for creating sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships between India and Africa, says External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

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our excellencies, hon’ble ministers, presidents of FICCI and CII, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is a great honour and privilege for me to be present here today at this business luncheon. I take this opportunity to commend FICCI and CII who have jointly organised this as the concluding event of the India-Africa forum summit. This has provided Indian business and industry a platform to meet and interact with our African guests and impart content to the economic dimension of the summit. This event is indeed a fit-

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ting finale to the summit. The India-Africa summit concluded just about an hour ago. It constitutes a defining moment in the India-Africa relationship.

The Delhi Declaration, together with the Framework for India-Africa cooperation, is a clear reaffirmation of India’s deep commitment to the development of Africa.

We hope that it will serve as a blueprint for creating sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships between India and the countries of Africa. I am confident that its implementation will begin at the earliest.

In the last few years, there has been rapid progress in IndiaAfrica relations. We have seen many high-level visits and deep-

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A F R I C A ening economic and technical cooperation. Africa has traditionally had the largest share of our allocation of concessional loans. As the prime minister announced, we intend to double the present levels of credit to Africa and allocate $5.4 billion in lines of credit over the next five years. This will be for projects prioritised by Africa and thus reflecting her needs. The credits will be utilised, among others, for enhancing agricultural production, and development of the infrastructure and energy sectors, small and medium enterprises, irrigation, food processing, IT and pharmaceuticals.

It is India’s intention to enter into a long-term sustainable partnership with Africa. Almost all African leaders at the summit have spoken of the need to enhance capacity building and human resource development. The prime minister has announced the augmentation of the Ministry of External Affairs’ Aid to Africa Budget for capacity building and technical assistance. Accordingly, we will double educational scholarships for Africa and increase ITEC slots every year. We intend to set up apex institutions for training and value addition in Africa in areas as diverse as trade, IT, entrepreneurial development, education and mining.

Our trade and investment partnership with Africa has expanded by leaps and bounds in recent years, owing to economic liberalisation in both India and Africa. We are also mindful about the need of providing greater market access to imports from Africa. Accordingly, in consonance with our commitment at WTO, we have now decided to extend a dutyfree preferential tariff scheme to imports from the 34 Least Developed Countries of Africa.

The government of India has also worked with Indian industry in forging project partnerships. In March, my colleagues and I interacted with over 600 delegates from 33 African countries at the 10th India-Africa Project Partnership Conclave in New Delhi. I had the privilege of the wise counsel of more than 30 ministers from Africa who led their delegations. We were also honoured by the presence of their Excellencies, the vice presidents of Tanzania and Ghana. We intend to carry this forward by organising three regional conclaves in Africa in 2008-2009.

It is a matter of satisfaction for us that Africa has found value in teaming up with Indian companies for diverse projects in Africa. I am confident that deliberations at this forum will provide further impetus to this process. Building partnerships between the financial institutions of India and Africa would be important in this context.

I would urge Indian companies, however, to do more to step up their engagement with Africa for mutual benefit. Africa is the second-fastest growing region after Asia. Africa’s development can and must be accelerated by investments and technology transfer by Indian companies. The continent needs large amounts of investment to build roads, railways and other infrastructure. There is, therefore, a need to mobilise greater Indian private sector participation in infrastructural development of Africa. The region also has millions of young people who can be employed in the manufacturing and services sectors. The large communities of Indian origin that can be found in many parts of Africa can be an added advantage; they can

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help Indian businesses understand the social and cultural ethos of the African people. Such initiatives would respond directly to the requirements referred to by a number of African leaders at our summit.

While direct investments in Africa should be the desirable goal of Indian companies in expanding their presence overseas, one area where further improvement needs to be made is in broadening the ambit of trade. At present, only 7.7 percent of India’s exports are destined for Africa. Similarly, imports from Africa contribute only 6.7 percent of our total imports. Businessmen from India and the African countries need to take up this challenge to augment our trade levels with Africa.

The sectors identified for today’s presentations hold a lot of promise for our cooperation. I am confident that business and industry on both sides would take advantage of opportunities in these areas for forging joint ventures and technical tie-ups.

Before I conclude, I wish to flag an important issue to which attention has been drawn by nearly all the leaders at the summit — and that is food security. Food security is perhaps one of the most critical issues that we are faced with today, particularly, in the developing world. Prices of agricultural commodities are on the rise all over the world for a variety of reasons. This has impacted negatively on food security, especially in countries that are dependent on agricultural imports. At the same time, trade distorting agricultural subsidies given by developed countries also act against the interests of the developing countries, particularly their farming communities. The problem is compounded by the fact that, in many countries, arable land is increasingly being diverted for other purposes.

Our decision at the summit to strengthen cooperation in agriculture can help address the problem of food security. We have agreed to cooperate in this sector and have identified a number of areas for such cooperation. These include capacity building and sharing of experiences, transfer of applied agricultural technology and skills and enhancing market opportunities for value-added African agricultural products.

India also remains ready to share its experience in agriculture extension, livestock development, fisheries, water management and measures to confront the growing threat of climate change. In addition, the Indian private sector should look for opportunities for joint ventures in Africa for production of cereals, oilseeds and pulses. This can be for local consumption, as well as for export to India and third countries. I am sure Indian companies will explore this avenue of cooperation with their counterparts in the private sector in various African countries as well as the governments of those countries.

With these remarks, I would like to thank the distinguished guests who have honoured us with their presence here today.

Once again, I thank FICCI and CII for inviting me to address this important gathering. Thank you.

(Address by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the India-Africa Business Luncheon, New Delhi, April 9.)

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S P E A K

Fashioning a change in DESIGN and life The Capacity Building Initiative with Designers project recognised the immense potential in the use of indigenous arts and crafts as formidable tools for progressive positive change and socio-economic development in Ethiopia.

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he Embassy of India in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, launched a novel project in 2007 for the local designers dealing with fashion and lifestyle products. Successfully culminating in March 2008, this project has been a giant leap in furthering Indo-Ethiopian relations and cooperation.

The Capacity Building Initiative with Designers was a response to the interest shown by the Indian Embassy in supporting local handloom, textile, leather, natural fibres and the fashion industry by sharing the Indian experience and expertise and developing a collaborative initiative between India and Ethiopia.

Spearheaded by Dr. Neeti Sethi Bose1, an independent consultant residing in Ethiopia, this project recognised the immense potential in utilisation of indigenous arts and crafts as formidable tools for progressive positive change and socio-economic development.

Partnering with local organisation like Federal Micro & Small Enterprises Development Agency (FeMSEDA), Ethiopian Airlines, Capital newspaper and DKT Ethiopia, this initiative strove to support local designers by training to build local capacities, enhancing creativity with skills, and refining local knowledge systems.

The objective was to foster the use of indigenous materials and methods and develop marketable fashion and lifestyle products while supporting livelihood. The idea and its implementation was personally conceived and facilitated by the Ambassador of India to Ethiopia and the African Union, Gurjit Singh.

Irrespective of the wide range of support for

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A F R I C A Ethiopian textile and leather from government and international sources, local producers and exporters have been unable to meet the international and domestic demand or sustain quality or the finish of products. The thrust, so far, has been on the production of traditional garments and low-end unsophisticated souvenirs. Further, supply chains are raw and procurement of material is difficult and there is little design understanding, or exposure to the larger market. New designs, therefore, are rare and far more expensive than imported products. The market is flooded with imported products and local producers find it extremely difficult to make ends meet. While the government is keen on supporting this sector, many vital links essential for production are missing.

In Ethiopia, much of the raw material for locally produced fashion and lifestyle products is imported, making the products far more expensive than imported products themselves. Higher raw material prices, unexplored local natural fibres and little understanding of design, leads to loss of immense potential.

Considering basic understanding of design and exposure to creative usage of indigenous materials as one of the preliminary missing links, and finding appreciation and wide usage of local products and designs in contemporary markets as another, the design project chose to tackle these two issues together.

The professional approach to revival of handicrafts and handlooms in the post-Independence era have paved the way for highly specialised design training and competitive structures and mechanisms that led India into the interesting situation where Indian crafts, handloom textiles and designer-ware find easy appreciation within the domestic and international markets. It has as much to do with the policymakers’ multi-pronged approach, awareness of building processes and strategic implementation of programmes and projects, alongside the changing face of the market economy.

Over the years, this journey has opened up opportunities, bringing craftspeople and designers in India in closer contact with their market. Design schools and dedicated institutions, while creating awareness, stem the loss of local knowledge systems and have supported these efforts.

Encouraging innovative transformation of traditional products and materials, instituting value chains and mechanisms for procurement of materials and finished products, creating appreciation for traditional crafts, India has proved a worthy partner to the changing lifestyles of the world.

The Embassy wanted to share this experience with Ethiopian designers and support local producers to enhance the use of Ethiopian material and production capacities.

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Focusing on natural fibres like cotton, leather and other handmade materials, the design project exploited the new wave of interest in the international and domestic markets, training designers and prompting them to introduce indigenous materials into their menagerie of materials.

The occasion was sixty years of Indian Independence, which coincided with the Ethiopian millennium, and the opportunity, to introduce a new face of Indo-Ethiopian partnership and celebrate Ethiopian heritage. To celebrate with Ethiopia both these events, the Embassy of India launched The Capacity Building Initiative For Designers (CBID), bringing together Ethiopian designers, and design faculty from Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF), New Delhi, one of India’s premier design institutions, to work together with the consultant, Dr. Bose, in providing intensive basic design training.

The programme focused on the utilisation of locally produced Ethiopian fabrics and natural materials to produce affordable every-day-use fashion wear and lifestyle products for domestic and export markets.

Based on Bose’s expertise, a basic plan had been prepared for the project and in May 2007 when the Indian Embassy hosted a discussion with local designers, producers and experts. This meeting was as much to gain their support as to get an understanding of local needs and requirements. The project idea and proposed workshop plan was discussed at the

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gathering. Subsequently, a series of intensive workshops with particular focus areas were identified that provided Ethiopian designers an opportunity to explore locally produced cottons, leathers and other natural material to produce affordable apparels, accessories and life-style products. The focus of workshops and its impact on the fashion industry were discussed and based upon the response of participants of this meeting and the consultant’s research, it was resolved that in the absence of local design schools and technical workshops, this project should focus on basic design, pattern making and construction, home furnishing and accessory design — with special focus on finishing and fashion forecasting.

A partnership agreement with PAF was reached and working closely with the Embassy and PAF, an implementation plan was conceptualised by the consultant. Sponsorships and media partnerships were established and media announcements were made in August of 2007 seeking applications from interested designers.

Notices were also placed around Addis Ababa inviting Ethiopian designers to apply for this training and participate in the competition that would lead to a 15-day study tour in India in 2008. The participants were selected based on their experience, talent and interest, as observed from their applications. The applications were scrutinised in September last year and 50 applicants were selected for this training.

The focus group comprised 30 designers in the women’s garments category with 20 in the lifestyle/home and personal accessory category. Aimed at participatory approaches, following a briefing session in late September, three intensive workshops were held in October 2007 at the Ethiopian government’s FeMSEDA training facility in Addis Ababa which brought together the upcoming designers, the consultant, and three fashion design experts from PAF, for exclusive in-depth creative design and exploration.

During the workshop, participants trained, experimented and discussed ideas in producing new designs, finishing and markets. Discussions were also held regarding development of prototypes and a new product range, of apparels, accessories and life-style products to attract the domestic market to sustain the new found creative energy and productivity.

Following strict guidelines and a rigorous hands-on training, each designer was asked by the consultant to identify an inspirational theme and prepare drawings for a range of new designs to base their work for a competition to judge the best works. The designers spent a whole month producing prototypes that were collected by the consultant at the Embassy in early January 2008. Since the designers had created commendable ensembles, it was decided that their creations had to be presented in front of a larger audience. It was also decided that the selection of the award winners was to be made jointly, by jury selection and by a public opinion poll.

The occasion soon presented itself in the form of the reception in connection with the Republic Day celebrations in the premises of the Embassy of India in January 2008, where many

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eminent dignitaries including the President of Ethiopia and several ministers were present. The designers exhibited their work on the occasion. Design training does not limit itself to designing of objects — it also extends itself to presentation. The designers were asked to display their products and decide for themselves how they wanted to present them to their audience and were expected to learn from their colleagues and co-designers.

Another reason for hosting the exhibition was to provide exposure to the designers and giving them an opportunity to interact with their audience and get feedback. An invited jury comprising one Indian and three eminent Ethiopian professionals made selections on the morning of January 23. This was followed by a public opinion poll.

The 300-odd dignitaries and guests of the embassy cast their votes and their consolidated opinion along with the jury’s selection were combined to decide four winners, who were sent to India on a 15-day study tour, facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme.

The announcement of the results and awards was made in February 2008 on ITEC Day where all participants received certificates and four women designers, two from each category of Women’s Fashion Designs (WFD) and Lifestyle Designs (LD) respectively received the awards. The winners were: Zewditu Kebede (WFD), Meseret Terefa (WFD), Sasahulsh Shiberu (LD) and Hirut Gugsa (LD). The four designers travelled to India on February 28 and returned home on March 16. During their stay in India, they had the opportunity to interact with many designers, production houses and institutions. They returned deeply impressed by the variety and depth of textiles and design opportunities in India. They also understood market mechanisms better and most of all, they were instilled with a renewed sense of national pride in their own heritage.

The embassy’s aim was to develop collaborative initiatives between India and Ethiopia, by extending support to and enhancing design in the handloom textile, leather, natural fibres and fashion industry in Ethiopia through exchange of ideas and expertise. While the embassy facilitated partnerships, the project was designed, conceptualised and coordinated by Dr. Bose. This capacity building initiative generated a surge of creative energy and has formulated a new approach and understanding towards design. The project has been an eye-opener for Ethiopian designers.

■ Notes and References 1. Dr. Neeti Sethi Bose is an independent consultant. A former professor of Visual Arts & Art theory with specialisation in indigenous arts, representation of non-western arts, and crafts, she is an artist and design expert specialising in craftdevelopment. She organises creative workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events and is the founder of ARTSMART an Indian NGO that provides capacity building support to artists, particularly indigenous artists, designers and craftspeople.

May-July 2008

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A selection of new books on Africa and by African writers from www.africabookcentre.com Curse of the Black Gold: 50 Years of Oil in the Niger Delta Edited by Michael Watts and photographs by Ed Kashi; USA Powerhouse Books; 220 pp; Paperback; £27.99 THE BOOK takes a graphic look at the profound cost of oil exploitation in West Africa. Featuring images by world-renowned photojournalist Ed Kashi and text by prominent Nigerian journalists, human rights activists, and University of California at Berkeley professor Michael Watts, this book traces the 50-year history of Nigeria’s oil interests and the resulting environmental degradation and community conflicts that have plagued the region. Now one of the major suppliers of oil to the U.S., Nigeria is the sixth-largest producer of oil in the world. Set against a backdrop of what has been called the scramble for African oil, Curse of the Black Gold is the first book to document the consequences of a half-century of oil exploration and production in one of the world’s foremost centers of biodiversity.

Scorched: South Africa’s Changing Climate

By Leonie S. Joubert; Witwatersrand University Press; 251 pp; Paperback; £21.99 SCORCHED IS a vivid journey through southern Africa’s mesmerising landscapes as climate change sets in. It wanders through the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to capture the last faltering calls of a rain frog that was named after the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. The author pauses for thought following an elephant stampede to consider how savannahs might shift in an altered climate. She trails the wading birds of the West Coast into the high Arctic tundra for their annual breeding season before returning to a Cape which is crisping over as drought continues to grip the province. Another world exists somewhere beyond the global politicking of super powers and petrostates. This is the place where a solitary bee continues to pollinate the pale and a demure flower of an orchid near Darling.

■ Editor’s Pick My Father’s Wives

By José Eduardo Agualusa; UK. Arcadia; 356 pp; Paperback; £11.99 UPON HIS death the famous Angolan composer Faustino Manso left seven widows and eighteen children. His youngest daughter, Laurentina, a filmmaker, tries to reconstruct the late musician’s turbulent life. In My Father’s Wives, reality and fiction run side by side, the former feeding into the latter. However, in the territories José Eduardo Agualusa crosses, fiction plays a part in reality too. The four characters in the novel which the author is writing as he travels accompany him from Luanda, the capital of Angola, to Beguile and Namibe. They cross the Namibian sands and their ghost towns, reaching Cape Town in South Africa. Then they continue on to Maputo and from Maputo to Quelimane beside the Bon Sinai’s river, and thence to the Island of Mozambique.

May-July 2008

Truth And Reconciliation In South Africa: The Fundamental Documents Edited by Erik Doxtader and PhilippeJoseph Salazar; South Africa. David Philip; 478pp; £24.95 THIS GROUNDBREAKING volume provides an explicit and often startling view of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In the name of understanding the Commission’s development, work, and findings, it features a rich variety of materials, including many selections from the TRC’s archive of testimony and its Final Report that have yet to receive significant public scrutiny. These fundamental documents challenge conventional accounts of the Commission. They also shed light on how the Commission undertook a public process of history–making, attempted to deal with the past in a manner that gave voice to experiences long silenced, endeavoured to expose the violence of apartheid.

The Story Of Maha

By Sumayya Lee; South Africa Kwela books; 288 pp; Paperback; £16.99 THE CHILD of a forbidden marriage, between a ‘Malay’ man and an Indian woman, Maha grows up with her parents in Cape Town. But when they are killed, her staid Indian grandparents take her to Durban. She “weaves dexterously around the strict boundaries of Muslim life, as she immerses herself in friendship, first love, a bit of rebellion and a tantalising romance.”

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COLLECTOR’S ITEM African Legends, Myths, and Folktales for Readers Theatre

By Fredericks, Anthony D. and Bongaman; U.S.A. Teacher Idea Press; 166 pp; Paperback; £14.99 TEACHERS ARE continually looking for materials that will enhance their studies of cultures around the world.

With this new book, author, Tony Fredericks and illustrator, Bongaman, present readers theatre scripts based on traditional African folklore. Plays are organized by area and identified by country. Included are tales from Algeria to Zambia and all areas in between.

This title contains background information for teachers on each African country included as well as instruction and presentation suggestions. The rationale and role of readers theatre in literacy instruction is discussed and additional resources for extending studies of African folklore are included.

The Transformation of Musical Arts Education: Local and Global Perspectives from South Africa

By Hetta Potgieter; South Africa. North-West University; 230 pp; Paperback; £16.95 THE BOOK scrutinises South African musical arts. Voices from young people living in South Africa are placed alongside those of experienced scholars to display the rainbow quality of a pluralist society. Apart from the book’s focus on identity issues, it also offers solutions for addressing complex issues of indigenous arts education within global contexts.

■ Naked Truth Tears of the Desert

By Halima Bashir; Hodder Headline, U.K.; 370 pp; Hardback; £12.99 HALIMA BASHIR was born into the Zaghawa tribe, whose customs have remained unchanged for centuries, in the remote western deserts of Sudan in the region of South Darfur. Halima’s father named his daughter after the traditional medicine woman of the village, and she grew up in a happy and close-knit childhood environment. Her father became a wealthy man by his tribe’s standards, so he could afford to send Halima to school and university.

Halima went on to study medicine, and at twenty-four she returned to her tribe and began practicing as their first ever qualified doctor. But shortly thereafter Janjaweed Arab militias began savagely assaulting the Zaghawa, often with the backing of the Sudan military. At first, Halima tried not to get involved. But in January 2004 the Janjaweed attacked her area, raping 42 schoolgirls and their teachers. Halima treated the traumatized rape victims, some of whom were as young as eight years old, then spoke up about what she had witnessed in Sudanese newspaper and to the UN charities.

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May-July 2008

Lord Leverhulme’s Ghosts: Colonial Exploitation in the Congo

By Jules Marchal; Verso; U.K.; 244 pp; Hardback; £16.99 IN THE early twentieth century, the worldwide rubber boom led British entrepreneur Lord Leverhulme to the Belgian Congo.

Warmly welcomed by the murderous regime of King Leopold II, Leverhulme set up a private kingdom reliant on the horrific Belgian system of forced labour, a programme that reduced the population of Congo by half and accounted for more deaths than the Nazi holocaust.

With an extensive introduction by Adam Hochschild, this book is an important and urgently needed account of a laboratory of colonial exploitation.

So Long A Letter

By Mariama Ba; UK Heineman African Classics; 96 pp; Paperback; £6.65 SO LONG a Letter, Mariama Bâ’s first novel, is literally written as a long letter. As the novel begins, Ramatoulaye Fall is beginning a letter to her lifelong friend Aissatou Bâ.

The occasion for writing is Ramatoulaye’s recent widowhood.

As she gives her friend the details of her husband’s death, she sets off on a journey of remembering the major events in her and Aissatou’s lives.

Ramatoulaye’s husband, Moudou Fall, died suddenly of a heart attack.

Following the strictures of her Muslim faith, Ramatoulaye must remain in seclusion for a long period of time. This seclusion is broken, however, by the ritualised visits of relatives and friends of the dead man.

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■ Looking Back Connecting the past with the modern face of Africa End of a Dynasty: The Last Days of the Prince Imperial, Zululand 1879

By Paul Deleage; South Africa University of Kwazulu-Natal Press; 212 pp; Paperback; £21.99 PAUL DELEAGE, a young correspondent attached to the prestigious newspaper Le Figaro, was the only French journalist sent to report on the Prince Imperial’s African adventure during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. His account of the three months he spent with the British High Command, to which Prince Louis Napoleon was seconded, was published in French 125 years ago. This translation from the original (Trois Mois Chez les Zoulous) brings to life an extraordinary piece of history. It provides a unique and intimate picture of the last few months in the life of the French Prince Imperial, before his death by assegai in a valley far from home. With an introduction by Bill Guest.

Language In African Urban Contexts: A Contribution to the Study of Indirect Globalisation

By Gudrun Miehe, Jonathan Owens, Manfred von Roncador; Germany Lit Verlag; 384 pp; Paperback; : £26.95 THE BOOK argues that the contrast between language and social institutions is most obvious in the colonial and post-colonial world in Africa, characterized as it was by the import of European institutions which were of a qualitatively new nature and which led to the establishment of a hierarchy of African languages in Africa. This study focuses on the effects of the globalisation processes on the vitality of languages in two West African cities, Maiduguri in Nigeria and Banfora in Burkina Faso.

■ Fiction

The First Africans: African Archaeology from the Earliest Toolmakers to Most Recent Foragers

By Lawrence Barham, Larry S. Barham, Peter Mitchell, U.K., Cambridge University Press; 602 pp; Paperback; £18.99 AFRICA HAS the longest record of human occupation of any continent.

For nearly all of this time, its inhabitants have made tools from stone and have acquired their food from its rich wild plant and animal resources.

Archaeological research in Africa is crucial for understanding the origins of humans and the diversity of hunter-gatherer ways of life. This book is a synthesis of the record left

by Africa’s earliest hominid inhabitants and hunter-gatherers, combining the insights of archaeology with those of other disciplines, such as genetics and palaeo-environmental science. African evidence is critical to important debates, such as the origins of stone tool making, the emergence of modern forms of cognition and behaviour, and the expansion of successive hominids from Africa to other parts of the world.

■ Trailing AIDS

Alfred and Emily

By Doris Lessing; Fourth Estate, U.K.; 288 pp; Paperback; £16.99 IN THIS extraordinary book, the new Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing explores the lives of her parents, both of them irrevocably damaged by the Great War. Her father wanted the simple life of an English farmer, but shrapnel almost killed him in the trenches, and thereafter he had to wear a wooden leg. Her mother Emily’s great love was a doctor, who drowned in the Channel, and she spent the war nursing the wounded in the Royal Free Hospital. In the fictional first half of Alfred and Emily, Doris Lessing imagines the happier lives her parents might have made for themselves had there been no war, a story that begins with them meeting at a village cricket match outside Colchester. This is followed by a piercing examination of their relationship as it actually was in the shadow of the Great War, the family’s move to Africa and the impact of her parents’ marriage on a young woman growing up in a strange land.

May-July 2008

Seven Letters: AIDS/HIV Stories from Namibian Children

By Dorian Haarhoff; Switzerland Basler Afrika Bibliographien; 96 pp; Paperback; £11.95 THIS BEAUTIFUL book contains a collection of stories that were writing during workshops held at the Windhoek College of Education in 2006. One of the most heartfelt story is about a couple who name their seven children after the seven deadly letters HIV/AIDS. The other stories showcase the human range of responses to the killer insect loss, death, suicide, yet also courage, resilience and hope.

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Africa and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History Edited by Richard Juang and Noelle Morrissette; ABC-CLIO; 1215 pp; Hardback; £185

Brooding Clouds Mpe, Phaswane ; University of Kwazulu-Natal Press; 214pp; Paperback; £21.99

THE BOOK explores the many long-standing influences of Africa and people of African descent on the culture of the Americas, while tracing the many ways in which the Americas remain closely interconnected with Africa. For centuries, the fates of Africa and the Americas have been inextricably intertwined, a relationship all the more remarkable for the wide-ranging influences flowing across the Atlantic. Today, nearly one in five people in the Western Hemisphere are of African descent, adding a fascinating African flavour to the region’s art, culture, politics, food, and social life. Ranging from the 15th century to the present, this three-volume encyclopedia offers hundreds of alphabetically organized entries on African history, nations, and peoples plus Africaninfluenced aspects of life in the Americas. t also features authoritative introductory essays on history, culture and religion, demography, international relations, economics and trade, and arts and literature. In doing so, it traces the complex and continuous movement of peoples of African descent to the West, the mechanics and lingering effects of colonialism and the slave trade, and the crucial issues of cultural retention and adaptation that are essential to our understanding of the effects of globalisation.

Women Writing Zimbabwe Edited by Irene Staunton; Zimbabwe Weaver Press; 134 pp; Paperback; £18.95 THE FIFTEEN in Women Writing Zimbabwe offer a kaleidoscope of fresh, moving, and comic perspectives on the way in which events of the last decade have impacted on individuals, women in particular. Several stories look at the impact that AIDS has on women who become the care-givers, often without emotional or physical support. It is often assumed that women will provide support and naturally make the necessary sacrifices. Brickhill and Munsengezi focus on the hidden costs and unexpected rewards of this nurturing role. All of the writers share a sensitivity of perception and acuity of vision. Reading their stories will enlarge and stimulate our own understanding.

■ Literature & Arts

Radical Essays on Nigerian Literatures Edited by G. G. Darah; Nigeria. Malthouse; 342 pp; Paperback; £24.95

African Intellectuals in 19th and 20th Century South Africa Edited by Mcebisi Ndletyana; Human Sciences Research Council; 76 pp; Paperback; £11.99 AN INTRODUCTION to the lives and works of five exceptional African intellectuals based in the former Cape Colony in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this unique work aims to recount and preserve a part of African intellectual heritage which is not widely known. Ntsikana, Tiyo Soga, John Tengo Jabavu, Mpilo Walter Benson Rubusana and Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi were pioneers within the African community, contributing their thoughts and intellect to various fields, including literature and poetry, politics, religion and journalism. Accounts of Cape frontier history tends to be exclusively about wars, and present the modernisation of South African society, with Africans as subjects of the process, and the settlers as the main agents of change.

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A POSTHUMOUS collection of short stories and poems that were written as a prequel to Phaswane Mpe’s acclaimed bestseller, Welcome to Our Hillbrow. In these thematically linked stories, we meet the organic roots of the emblematic characters and concerns of the later novel.

Written with an expressive simplicity that evokes the rural soul of tiny Tiragalong and its neighbouring village of Nobody, Mpe’s stories speak out strongly on issues close to his heart. The poems form a tandem narrative that is gritty, topical and observant and which articulates the dilemmas of inner city living, along with the broader conundrums of Tiragalong, Hillbrow and South Africa. The Brooding Clouds collection is a gem of creative achievement that stands as a poignant tribute to the tremendous talent of a writer cut down much too soon.

May-July 2008

THIS ANTHOLOGY of essays brings together original critical comments on Nigerian literatures written in the 1970s and 1980s.

It is a celebration of Nigeria’s contribution to the world’s heritage of letters. The twentythree essays explore the fundamental role of the intelligentsia in defining and describing the nation state in space and time.

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Bestsellers in India Pakistan journalist Ahmed Rashid’s investigation on the impact of Al Qaeda on Pakistan and its surrounding areas tops the non-fiction list while old favourite Amitav Ghosh’s 19th century saga ‘Sea of Poppies’ remains on top week after week on the fiction list.

TOP 10: NON-FICTION 1. Descent Into Chaos Author: Ahmed Rashid Publisher: Allen Lane Price: Rs. 495 2. The PostAmerican World Author: Fareed Zakaria Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs. 499 3. The Secret Author: Rhonda Byrne Publisher: Simon & Schustar Price: Rs. 550 4. Italian Khana Author: Ritu Dalmia Publisher: Random House Price: Rs. 750

Biography of Mayawati Author: Ajoy Bose Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs. 499

Publisher: Random House India Price: Rs. 395 4. The 3 Mistakes of My Life Author: Chetan Bhagat Publisher: Rupa Price: Rs. 95

8. The Audacity of Hope Author: Barack Obama Publisher: Canongate Price: Rs. 425

5. The White Tiger Author: Aravind Adiga Publisher: Harper Collins Price: Rs. 395

9. Superstar India From Incredible to Unstoppable Author: Shobhaa De Publisher: Penguin India Price: Rs. 350 10. The Shape of The Beast Author: Arundhati Roy Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs. 499

TOP 10: FICTION 1. Sea of Poppies Author: Amitav Ghosh

5. Smoke and Mirrors: An Experience of China Author: Pallavi Aiyar Publisher: Fourth Estate Price: Rs. 395

Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs. 599

6. India: The Emerging Giant Author: Arvind Panagariya Publisher: Oxford Price: Rs. 695

Unaccustomed Earth Author: Jhumpa Lahiri Publisher: Random House Price: Rs. 450

7. Behenji: A Political

3. A Case of Exploding Mangoes Author: Honnif Mohammad

2.

6. Chasing Harry Winston Author: Lauren Weisberger Publisher: Harper Collins Price: Rs. 195 7. The Palace of Illusions: Panchaali’s Mahabharat Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Publisher: Picador India Price: Rs. 495 8. The Zoya Factor Author: Anuja Chauhan Publisher: Harper Collins Price: Rs. 295 9. Almost Single Author: Advaita Kala Publisher: Harper Collins Price: Rs. 195 10. A Prisoner of Birth Author: Jeffrey Archer Publisher: PAN Books Price: Rs. 251

(Source: Bahri Sons, New Delhi, www.booksatbahri.com. All the books listed above are available online)

May-July 2008

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■ ‘Unaccustomed Earth’

The fiction of ARRIVAL

By Jhumpa Lahiri ; Random House India; 333 pp; Hardback; Rs. 450 JHUMPA LAHIRI has an uncanny gift for turning Unaccustomed Earth into her familiar habitat of fiction where she consorts with upwardly mobile immigrant Bengalis enacting their exquisite little dramas of belonging and unbelonging, of losing and finding themselves all over again, only to know the same place for the first time.

The eight stories in her new collection of short stories, a genre she has finessed since her debut Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Melodies, illuminates transformations intrinsic to the immigrant experience when seemingly rooted people are transplanted into the new American soil. The title story Unaccustomed Earth, links up to the epigraph to the novel taken from The Custom House by Nathaniel Hawthorne that suggests human nature may atrophy if they continue to toil in the same worn-out soil.

Hawthorne’s exhortation — “strike your roots into unaccustomed earth” — serves as an anthem for her cast of upper middle class expatriate Bengali suburbanites venturing into foreign shores — “read the Boston-New York corridor” — to rebuild their homes and identities afresh.

In the accomplished title story, a widowed father visits his grown daughter, who has recently moved to Seattle with her husband and son. When the daughterly impulse strikes her, she is solicitous about her father as he takes off on frequent package tours to various European countries and wants him to move in with her. Initially, she is not sure whether this is the right move. “Ruma feared that her father would become a responsibility, an added demand, continuously present in a way she was no longer used to.”

But even as she juggles with her fears and concern, she discovers that her father has found a private world of his own with a spirited Bengali widow and has come to a point where he thinks he can live without the cloying comforts of a family fussing over him. In a sense, the father moves into unaccustomed territory where his daughter finds hard to reach him. “The entire enterprise of having a family, of putting children on this earth, as gratifying as it sometimes felt, was flawed from the start,” her father muses.

In Heaven-Hell, the author gently dramatises a Bengali housewife’s affair with a much younger Bengali man to bring out the loneliness and the ache of longing in an alien land. The fiction of cultural assimilation comes apart when

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the young lover gets married to an American woman, stays with her for over two decades before divorcing her. Cultural divides are not easy to bridge in trans-cultural marital unions. “I was so horribly jealous of you back then, for knowing him, understanding him in a way I never could,” the American woman confesses to her ex-husband’s Bengali love.

The theme of female jealousy is again amplified in A Choice of Accommodations in which a Bengali man married to an American woman goes to attend the wedding of his prep school crush and finds his wife secretly obsessing about the persisting psychic hold of childhood romance on her husband. In her three stand-alone stories, grouped together as “Hema and Kaushik,” the demons of love and longing wrestle with implacable realities of the present, making the reunion of lovers a prelude to an acceptance of a final rupture.

In a crowded intellectual mart with their genre cafes, it would be easy to label Lahiri’s stories as yet another variant of immigrant fiction coalescing kindred themes of cultural hybridity and uprootedness, but the universality of her themes and emotions they conjure up lift them to a much larger dimension of human experience of finding “kinship and beauty in unexpected places.”

In other words, these stories could be located anywhere and speak not just to those who are familiar with the culturally schizophrenic world of immigrants.

“Being a foreigner is a sort of lifelong pregnancy — a perpetual wait, a constant burden, a continuous feeling out of sorts,” reflects the mother who has been moved from Calcutta to Cambridge, Massachussetts, in Lahiri’s novel, The Namesake (2003) that was made into a movie by Indian director Mira Nair. Shuttling between there worlds — born in Britain, raised in Rhode Island and taken on long visits to India — has made Lahiri all too aware of “intense pressure to be two things, loyal to the old world and fluent in the new”. The 41-year-old author knows how to transmute this sense of cultural dividedness into her imaginary worlds of fiction. This simultaneous feeling of being at home in unaccustomed surroundings and a larger existential homelessness that seems to the fate of the global vagabond in this globalised world of vanishing frontiers and boundary crossings is at the heart of Lahiri’s new collection of stories that eschew all temptations to be anything else than stories well told.

— Manish Chand

May-July 2008

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The Delhi Declaration

Delhi Declaration India-Africa Forum Summit 2008 1. We, the Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegation of Africa, representing the Continent, the African Union and its Institutions along with the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, have met today in New Delhi, India, to

consolidate the process of deliberations and discussions with a view to redefining the decades-old partnership and historical and civilization links between the African continent and India.

2. We recognize that Africa and India have undergone enormous positive Socio-political-economic changes, over the last

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D O C U M E N T S 12. We attach priority to providing trade related technical two and half decades. We have, therefore, decided to build upon these positive achievements to help each other and to assistance and capacity building to LDCs. 13. We agree on the urgent need to reform the International strengthen our close partnership.

3. We have adopted today a Framework for Cooperation to Financial Institutions (IFI)s. In this context, we emphasise the need for the effective participation of developing countries, strengthen Indo-African partnership.

4. This partnership will be based on the fundamental prin- including in the quotas and voting rights in the IFIs. 14. We are committed to multilateralism and to strengthciples of equality, mutual understanding and respect.

5. Africa and India reiterate their intention to ensure that in ening the democratic structure of the United Nations.

15. We reaffirm our commitment to further strengthen the matters of environmental degradation, multilateral trade Africa-India cooperation at the negotiations, fundamental freedoms, the fight against terror- We take note of the state of play in UN, the G77 and in other multilateral fora. There is need for ism, combating illicit trafficking the World Trade Organization urgent and comprehensive in small arms and light (WTO)-Doha round of trade negotireform of the UN to enable it to weapons, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, ations. We reiterate the importance more effectively deal with the eradication of hunger as well as of the development dimension of challenges of today’s world.

16. India notes the common combating diseases, the interests the Round and welcome the African position and the aspiraof developing countries are kept strengthened engagement among tions of the African countries to uppermost. developing countries in that get their rightful place in an 6. We recognize that climate change is a global challenge but process. Agriculture remains the expanded UN Security Council one that will be particularly key to the conclusion of this round. as new permanent members.

Africa takes note of India’s posisevere for developing countries.

We reaffirm that development There are equally important issues tion and its aspirations to also to be addressed on Nonbecome a permanent member is the best form of adaptation in an expanded UN Security and that the foremost priority Agricultural Market Access for developing countries is to (NAMA) services and rules. We are Council.

17. We believe that the elimensure accelerated social and convinced that the process to be ination of nuclear weapons and economic development.

7. We note with regret the adopted to reach convergence in other weapons of mass destruclack of demonstrable progress the WTO negotiations requires tion would enhance the securiof all nations. by developed countries on focus on content and not artificial ty 18.

We unequivocally conGreen House Gas (GHG) timelines demn terrorism in all its forms reduction commitments. and manifestations. We agree to 8. We urge the international community to give real and immediate effect to commitments make concerted efforts towards expeditious finalisation of a on climate change. There is also need for a closer look at the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the UN. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime.

19. It has been our endeavour at this Summit to devise 9. We are determined to participate in the negotiations under the Bali Action Plan towards addressing climate change ways and means of enhancing this South-South partnership. in accordance with the provisions and principles of the UN Bearing this in mind, we have drawn up and adopted a Framework for Cooperation that would provide the avenue Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

10. We take note of the state of play in the World Trade for development of the Africa-India partnership.

20. We have also agreed that in addition to high-level politOrganization (WTO)-Doha round of trade negotiations.

We reiterate the importance of the development dimen- ical exchanges between us, Africa and India should meet every sion of the Round and welcome the strengthened engage- three years.

21. We agree to develop jointly, within a period of one year. ment among developing countries in that process.

22. We would like to thank the Government and people of Agriculture remains the key to the conclusion of this round. There are equally important issues also to be India and, in particular, their Excellencies the President and addressed on Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) Prime Minister of India for hosting this Forum Summit and services and rules. We are convinced that the process to be for the warm reception and hospitality extended to us.

23. The Prime Minister of India takes this opportunity to adopted to reach convergence in the WTO negotiations thank the participating Heads of State and Government and requires focus on content and not artificial timelines.

11. We also reaffirm our commitment to providing mean- other Heads of Delegation from Africa for accepting the invitation to attend this Africa-India Forum Summit. ingful market access to the Least Developed Countries.

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INDIA AFRICA FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION 09/04/2008 The Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegation of Africa, representing the Continent and its Institutions along with the Prime Minister of India, recognising the rich history of Africa-India relationship and realising the need to give a new dimension to this cooperation, have decided to adopt this Framework for Cooperation between Africa and India.

The two parties agree to cooperate in the areas enumerated herein.

1. ECONOMIC COOPERATION The two parties hereby recognise the need to foster a mutually beneficial economic environment to promote trade and industry, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), development of Small and Medium-scale 0Enterprises (SMEs) and Africa’s regional integration. In this regard, the two parties have agreed to cooperate in the following areas: i. Agriculture Africa and India emphasise sustainable development of agricultural and animal resources with effective support for scientific research for conservation of land and environment.

The cooperation will focus on the following areas: z capacity building and sharing of experience in policy anal-

ysis and planning relating to agriculture sector; z cooperation in water resource management and irrigation

practices; z cooperation to combat agro-based diseases; z training for increasing the capacity of small land holder

Q U A R T E R L Y

African food producers, including extension activity and agricultural credit policies; z sharing information on storage and processing technologies; z sharing of information in farm mechanisation, post harvest technology, organic farming and setting up of cross border commodity exchange boards; z enhancing market opportunities for African value added agricultural products; z cooperation in livestock management, breeding technologies, meat processing, dairy industry development, fisheries and aquaculture, including exchange and transfer of applied technology; z to support and nurture agro-processing industries; and z enhancing cooperation between agricultural training centres and relevant research institutes. ii. Trade, Industry and Investment Africa and India recognise the need to expand the two-way trade, greater market access and investment facilitation and decide to take the following steps: z technical assistance and capacity-building in trade negotiations, dispute settlement and implementation of different agreements under WTO, as well as in enhancing competitiveness in the world economy; z to develop global markets for products and services available on both sides; z maximising the benefits of trade liberalisation through improved market; z enhance trade cooperation between the two sides, through value addition/processing; z organisation of business delegations and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions; z preparation of a Joint Strategy and Action Plan for mapping

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D O C U M E N T S of resources and opportunities for entrepreneurship development; z developing and implementing projects for information dissemination regarding entrepreneurship opportunities on both sides; and z enhancing corporate governance and social responsibility. iii. Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) Africa and India recognise that for a sustainable and successful industrial policy, development of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises is necessary as the first step towards industrialisation in African countries. With that objective in focus, the following steps will be taken: z capacity building through Entrepreneurship Development

Programmes; z policy formulation and institutional framework develop-

ment for the SMEs; z promotion of Joint Ventures

between business enterprises of Africa and India; z training in Africa and India for upgrading of skills in the areas of conventional and hitech training; and z promoting the export of SME products, including projects on turnkey basis. iv. Finance Recognising the importance of the financial sector, cooperation in the following areas is decided:

jects, including infrastructural development; and z provision of technical assistance to support the establish-

ment of the financial institutions of the African Union.

2. POLITICAL COOPERATION There can be no lasting development without peace and recognising the need for closer cooperation in the field of governance structures and civil society, India resolves to support Africa through the following steps: i. Peace and Security z cross-fertilisation of the experiences of the AU and India in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction efforts taking into account the AU’s Policy Framework for Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD); z sharing of experiences regarding the role of women in peacekeeping operations; z to tackle the challenge of money laundering and terrorist financing; z cooperation in duplication of the Female Formed Police Unit; z implementing a Training of Trainers Programme towards effective; z sharing of information to fight international terrorism. z cooperation in combating drug trafficking, as well as human trafficking; and z capacity building in disaster management and humanitarian intervention.

ii. Civil Society and Good Governance

z sharing of experiences and

capacity-building on policy and regulatory frameworks in the financial sector including the microfinance sector; z sharing of experiences in mobilisation of domestic savings; z capacity-building in development of automated trading systems for stock-exchange and development of cross-border stock-exchanges; and z mobilisation of financial resources to fund the various projects envisaged in the areas of cooperation. v. Regional Integration Recognising the importance of regional cooperation and economic integration in development endeavours, Africa and India decide as follows: z provision of financial support to mutually agreed integration programmes carried out by the African Union and the RECs; z promotion and support for regional and inter-regional pro-

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z cross-fertilisation of ideas on decentralisation of governance and building capacity of local governments; z establishing a platform to maintain cooperation in civil establishments and training institutes in Africa and India on relevant issues; z create a joint platform for discussion of global political and economic; z sharing of experiences on public service reforms and human rights regimes; z sharing of experiences for deepening democratisation at the local level, management of ethnic diversity and wealth distribution in a democratic context and the professionalisation of the public services; z sharing of experiences on the conduct of elections in vast and complex terrains. z sharing experiences in harnessing resources from Diaspora; z helping to strengthen the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

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A F R I C A z interaction of legal experts/lawyers through Bar Associations; and z cooperation in legal research methodology and in international legal issues.

Q U A R T E R L Y

4. COOPERATION IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING i. Education To achieve universal education with special emphasis on quality and gender equality, Africa and India will collaborate in the following areas:

3. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT i. Science and Technology z developing networks among leading institutes for Science

and; z sharing experiences in technology transfer and develop-

ment of technology; z sharing experiences in capacity building for strengthening the role of science and technology; z cooperation in setting quality standards and recognition awards in science, technology and innovation; and z cooperation in management of IPR, including indigenous knowledge. ii. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Recognising that Information Technology is emerging as one of the major vehicles of economic growth and has become fundamental part of infrastructure and improvement of myriad sectors of socioeconomic activities, Africa and India agree to take the following steps:

z building capacity for educational policy planning and administration through the effective utilisation of financial and statistical information on education; z increasing the scholarships available for Africa from the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programmes with focus on science,technology and IT; z sharing of experiences and best practices in “Mid-day Meal Programme”; z development of teaching and learning materials, especially for universities; z implementation of Open and Distance Education/Learning Programmes; z establishing programmes for exchange of students and staff; z cooperation in equipping scientific laboratories and training workshops for Technical and Vocational Education; and z cooperation in establishing programmes in capacity building and entrepreneurship for youth through ICT.

ii. Health

z cooperate to ensure effective implementation of the Pan-African ENetwork Project; z cooperation in the implementation of the digital solidarity mechanism. z cooperation in capacity building in devising model legal and policy frameworks for ICT, such as on e-Commerce, eGovernance, e-Health etc.; z cooperation and information sharing among ICT regulatory bodies; z development of Information and Communication Technology tools for improving public administration, taxation, public finance and delivery of public services; z cooperation in the field of technology, organisation, information, education and skills development; z cooperation in setting up Community Information Centers using IT to accelerate socio-economic development; and

Africa and India agree to increase cooperation in the field of health promotion and healthcare systems through the following areas of cooperation: z sharing information and expertise on traditional systems of

medicine within recognised intellectual property regime; z training and capacity building for health professionals and

physicians; z cooperation in healthcare systems development and community health programmes; z linking the centers of excellence in the health sector — research and training institutes; z cooperation in devising and implementing programmes for enhancing universal access to medical services and developing the telemedicine infrastructure; z strengthen the indigenous manufacturing capacities and to

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D O C U M E N T S make available essential medicines; z cooperation in controlling HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and other communicable diseases; z cooperation in combating the proliferation and dumping of counterfeit medicines; z local production of oral rehydration therapy. iii. Water and Sanitation In both Africa and India, many communities lack access to adequate and safe drinking water, as well as basic sanitation.

In this connection, cooperation could focus on sharing experiences and promoting programmes in the following areas: z development of sanitation infrastructure in urban and sub-

urban settings; z combating the mushrooming of slums and shanty towns in urban areas; z waste management; and z appropriate framework for water quality control and water treatment. iv. Culture and Sports Recognising the need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between different nations and ethnic groups, Africa and India resolve to enhance cultural relations between the two sides. To this end, focus will be given to the following areas: z encourage people-to-people contacts and exchanges; z strengthen contacts among the youth and encouraging

exchange of students; z encourage the visit of Professors; z encourage cultural exchange programmes — art troupes

and art exhibitions; z increase cooperation between the film industry of Africa

and India; and z cooperation in the area of sports.

as well as expand people-to-people exchanges to promote understanding and cooperation between their peoples. To this end, focus will be given to the following areas: z facilitate coherence of policies and initiatives related to tourism development; z adoption of appropriate measures to prevent all threats to tourism; z strengthening of partnership with travel agencies, hotels, airlines and the media; z promotion of general tourism and offering joint tourism packages.

6. INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT Recognising that energy and infrastructure is fundamental to the economic growth and acknowledging that infrastructural development and environmental sustainability are some of the priority areas of NEPAD, Africa and India agree to place energy, infrastructure and environmental sustainability as one of the key areas of cooperation and commit ourselves to the following areas: z development of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development; z development of transport and telecommunications networks; z exploration and exploitation of natural resources, as well as value addition; z investment and development of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources; z capacity-building in best practices and adaptation on the impact of climate change and desertification; z exchange of experiences on recent advances in alternative energy sources and sustainable land management practices; z cooperation in fibre optic cables construction around and within; and z technical cooperation for Clean Development Mechanism.

v. Poverty Eradication 7. MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION A significant percentage of the population in Africa and India live below the poverty line. Unemployment and underemployment are serious issues for both Africa and India and both can cooperate to resolve these problems in the following areas:

Africa and India agree that cooperation in the field of media and communications will generate greater synergy in their relationship. In this regard, they have decided to focus cooperation efforts in the following areas:

z implementation of the Millennium Development Goals z to promote common South-South strategies on flow of

(MDGs); z cooperation in the implementation of poverty alleviation

information in media;

strategies; z sharing experiences in employment creation and business management; z development of social security systems; and z development of credit unions, especially in rural settings.

z enhance linkages among news agencies; and z enhance training in human resource development, corporate

5. TOURISM Africa and India resolve to promote the growth of tourism,

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communications, and modern technology in media developments.

Without prejudice to India’s on-going and future programmmes at the bilateral, REC and other levels, we agree to develop jointly, within a period of one year, a joint plan of action at a continental level and an appropriate follow-up mechanism to implement our Framework for Cooperation.

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I N C R E D I B L E

I N D I A

MANDU: MANDU:

Hidden & & Hidden Forgotten Forgotten Mandu is a celebration in stone, of life and joy, of the love of the poet-King Baz Bahadur for his beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati...

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I N C R E D I B L E

I N D I A

M

andu, known as ‘the city of joy’, is situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Its origins are uncertain.

However, available literary and archaeological references date it to the end of the first millennium, when the Palmara rulers in the Malwa region took advantage of its natural defences and built a fortified place under the name of Mandovgarh, the capital of some of their short-lived kingdoms. At the end of the 14th century, the city fell to Dilawar Khan Ghori, the governor of Malwa, who was at the service of the Sultanate of Delhi. He took advantage of the circumstances of the siege of Delhi by the Mughal troops of the fearsome Tamerlain, to become independent, nominating himself as the first Sultan of Malwa, and establishing his capital in Mandu. The city was then renamed Shadiabad or the ‘City of Joy’.

Today, a traveller can see even in the middle of nowhere curious baobabs beside the walls and domes of any of the countless cenotaphs, graves, huge stepwells or small mosques, sometimes almost overrun by weeds. It is almost baobab country...

A walk through the different monumental areas from the north on the road to Indore through one of the strong gates (Alangir or Bangui) takes one to the ‘Royal Enclave’ where lie some of the most impressive palaces of Mandu.

The Jahaz Mahal or the ‘Ship Palace’, long as a ship and situated in the middle of two artificial lakes, welcomes the beholder, and in the full-moon night and romances him with the oriental flavours of the tales of the thousand and one nights. The fourth Mughal emperor, Jahangir, a great admirer of the site, was reported to have often talked about its beauty. Nur Jahan, the most famous of his wives, also admired the beauty of the place.

Not far from there, is the Hindola Mahal, a palace with a strange architectural attraction, built in an odd style that from the outside reminds one of a ptolomeic temple, with successive archs looking like small viaducts in the interior.

It was here that the king gave an audience to his subjects.

A few metres further, the Nilakanta temple melds with a curious fountain designed like a snake. Not far from there are two big baolis or step-wells, Ujala Baoli and Champa Baoli. These huge step-wells with several rooms and halls were used by the royalty to rest in the hot days of summer.

From there can be seen the remains of old palaces like Gada Shah Shop and the Royal Palace next to the northern lake.

The mosque of Dilawar Khan is another monument whose ruins are scattered in the area.

In the middle of the village stands out the huge Jama Masjid, inspired by the great mosque of Damascus. The Masjid is regarded as the finest example of Afghan art in India. Its considerable size together with the austere elegance of its interiors holds out an aweseome architectural effect. Inside are 17 polychrome mihrabs, the biggest of them in the middle preceded by a graceful pulpit with dec-

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The Tomb of Hoshang Shah is made of white marble and was one of the sources of inspirations for the famous Taj Mahal of Agra. It is said that Shah Jahan sent four of his architects to Mandu to study the architecture of the mausoleum orated steps. In front of the façade is the tomb of Mahmood Shah Khilji and the Palace of the Golden Coins or Ashrafi Mahal, originally an important madrassa. Today, only one of the eight towers remains of the celebrated Victory Tower, commemorating Khilji’s famous victory against the king of Mewar. The tower, still bearing polychrome marble etchings, was perhaps the most important monument in Mandu.

Behind the Jama Masjid is another jewel of Mandu — the Tomb of Hoshang Shah. This mausoleum is located in the middle of a big courtyard with four towers in the corners of a cloister with arcaded galleries. The ‘tunnel vision’ effect created by row after row of carved columns seeking to converge on an infinite point is reminiscent of the Great Mosque of Cordoba.

The main building houses the tomb of Hoshang Shah as well as five other smaller graves of his family. The building is made of white marble and was one of the sources of inspirations for the Taj Mahal. It is said that Shah Jahan sent four of his architects to Mandu to study the mausoleum’s architecture. Another beautiful monument is the Roopmati Pavilion. People in Mandu say that they still hear the echoes of songs about the love of Roopmati and poet-king Baz Bahadur! Roopmati’s Pavilion was built over an old fort.

From there she looked north at the palace of her beloved king and from the other side longingly gazed at her birth place — the valley of River Narmada.

Today, Mandu is located in an evergreen plateau in the middle of lush vegetation. Surrounded by lakes, exotic baobabs and splendorous monuments, it is an astonishing throwback to a magnificent past.

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A F R I C A

Q U A R T E R L Y

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