CII-EXIM Bank Conclave: India and Africa have been partners in nation-building and economic reconstruction, says EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that India and Africa have been partners in nation building and economic reconstruction. Speaking at the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister said, Africa plays a important role in India’s foreign policy outlook that is reflected in our expanding diplomatic footprint, that today covers 43 African countries. He said, India is committed towards enhancing capacity building and skill development among African youth. He said, in this context, we had announced 50 thousand scholarships in 2015 out of which more than 32 thousand scholarship slots have already been utilized.

The Minister said, India’s development projects in areas such as drinking water, irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants, cement, sugar and textile factories have generated local employment and changed the life of many people in Africa. He said, being a trusted partner in the journey of socio-economic development, India has extended concessional loans of over 12.3 billion dollars to Africa. He said, India and Africa have longstanding historic, trade and economic linkages.