Point by point analysis of PM Modi speech
at India-Africa Forum Summit,Oct 29 ,2015 New Delhi , as regards economic
cooperation.
PM Modi : Two-thirds of India and two-thirds of Africa is under
the age of 35 years. And, if the future belongs to the youth, then this century
is ours to shape and build.
PC analysis: He has a point. The key is China , which has been
very aggressive on Africa business opportunities, is ageing, giving India
advantage.
PM Modi : Four hundred thousand new businesses were registered in
Africa in 2013; and, mobile telephone now reaches 95% of the population in many
places. We will work to
reduce digital divide within Africa and between Africa and rest of the world.
PC analysis: Bharti Airtel made inroads into Africa, but is
struggling as experience does not seem to be as rewarding as expected
PM Modi: Africa is now joining the global mainstream of
innovation. The mobile banking of M-Pesa, the healthcare innovation of
MedAfrica, or the agriculture innovation of AgriManagr and Kilimo Salama, are
using mobile and digital technology to transform lives in Africa.
PC analysis: Surely, these are areas, India must engage with
Africa, especially in healthcare as India has already made big strides as a
major supplier of affordable pharmaceutical products
PM Modi:Today, Africa
and India are two bright spots of hope and opportunities in the global economy. In less than a decade, our
trade has more than doubled to over 70 billion dollars. India is now a major
source of business investments in Africa. Today, 34 African countries enjoy
duty free access to the Indian market.
PC analysis: True , but it is not as if troubles in China, Europe
and Japan are of benefit to us both. The entire world gets affected if major
economies like China , US or EU slow down. So, this bright sport and sweet
spot things should not be stretched.
PM Modi : When we meet at Nairobi Ministerial of the WTO in December, we
must ensure that the Doha Development Agenda of 2001 is not closed without
achieving these fundamental objectives.
We should also achieve a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security and special safeguard mechanism in agriculture for the developing countries.
We should also achieve a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security and special safeguard mechanism in agriculture for the developing countries.
PC analysis: Traditionally India and Africa have worked together
in WTO Ministerial Meetings, excepting that some of them become vulnerable to
pressures from the developed world when it comes crunch.
Pic courtesy: PIB