India’s Development Cooperation: Perspective and Practice
Insights from Africa
Pradeep S Mehta Secretary General
1 2 The Foundation: Colombo Plan, Panchsheel Principles & the Non-Aligned Movement
Built on the Colombo Plan of 1950/51 and later the Non-Aligned Movement
India built on the Panchsheel principles and later the Non-Aligned Movement’s principles - respect for sovereignty and non-interference, this formed the philosophy for its development assistance programme
3 The Foundation: Colombo Plan, Panchsheel Principles & the Non-Aligned Movement (contd..)
Thrust on economic development and sharing of technology as the basis for development
Lower levels of development were attributed to economic causes, so were the solutions offered in form of development assistance 4 India & Africa
Contacts from ancient times and common colonialism heritage.
Solidarity for Africa’s struggle for independence and India’s specific role in the NAM
India’s economic reforms boosting rejuvenation its old relationship with Africa
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India & Africa (contd..)
Indian contemporary Africa policy is aligned to interests around equity & justice in the global order, and guided by domestic concerns
India’s developing country experience and its non-interventionist policy makes it preferred partner. The diaspora plays a role.
India’s demand for energy and other natural resources as well as business opportunities and improved market access are also of importance
6 India's Significant Contributions
Sub-Saharan Africa is a priority region for ExIm Bank. Since 2009, $6.6 billion in transactions throughout sub-Saharan Africa
India continues to be one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping in Africa
Indian diaspora in Africa contributed to a considerable increase in investment. Indian FDIs to Africa by now the volume has reached more than US$ 105 billion
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India's Significant Contributions (contd.)
Indian education is a big draw for many Africans. India also provides much needed medicines like anti-AIDS retroviral and malaria, small pox and polio vaccines
Key infrastructure projects in African countries spanning across sectors like power, railways, ICT, etc.
8 CUTS in the trenches
Most Indian CSOs are engaged in the domain of capacity building, technical advisory services and skills training
CUTS working with state and non-state actors in more than 30 African countries to build local capacity on issues of consumer protection and competition; trade and development and good governance
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CUTS in the trenches (contd..)
Three offices in Lusaka, Nairobi, Accra and a country rep in Abuja, headed by local citizens. Institutional partners spread across 30+ countries
Trilateral Development Cooperation has been a key pillar
CUTS’ philosophy and track record for over 30 years in India and in Africa has acted as an effective bridge and a living example of South- South cooperation
10 Way forward from IAFS III & Delhi Declaration
India seen as a progressive growing democracy and role model in Africa
MEA’s partnership with the Indian CSOs to deliver foreign policy programmes through DPA could enhance India’s image
The MEA-CSO partnership approach will also help to simplify the foreign policy for increasing interested domestic constituencies
Indian civil society should synergise efforts with African civil society to strive for common goals 11 Way forward from IAFS III & Delhi Declaration (contd..)
Enhancing people to people interaction and capacity building for development
Prime Minister Modi’s speech at the summit also talks about “A grant assistance of $600mn”
This will include an India-Africa Development Fund of US$100mn and an India-Africa Health Fund of US$10mn
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Thank you