According to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday, India provided “Made in India” Covid vaccinations to 42 countries on the African continent as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “One Earth, One Health” and “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” ideologies.
“During the pandemic, India continued unabated its engagement with Africa,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks at the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave. The CII-Exim Bank Africa Conclave’s 15th and 16th editions were held, although digitally. India gave medical assistance to 32 nations to support our allies in Africa.
“We provided ‘Made in India’ Covid vaccinations to 42 countries on the continent from January 2021 to March 2023. This was aligned with the “One Earth, One Health” goal of our prime minister and with the “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” civilizational belief system” said MEA.
More than 14,000 young people from 22 different African nations have registered in various degree and certificate programmes as part of this initiative. Through the establishment of IT Centres, S&T Parks Entrepreneur Development Centres (EDC).
India has collaborated with African nations to promote digital transformation. India is a perfect partner for Africa in the digital space because of its emphasis on openness and trust. India and Africa’s bilateral trade reached USD 98 billion in 2022–2023 on business and economy.
Regarding commerce and economics, India’s bilateral trade with Africa increased to USD 98 billion in 2022–2023 from USD 89.6 billion the year before. I have faith that our two-way commerce will soon surpass the $100 billion threshold,” Jaishankar added.
“India opened its market to African countries through the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme, which extends duty-free access to 98.2% of India’s total tariff lines, and so far, 33 LDC African nations are eligible to get the benefit,” he continued.
The minister expressed the expectation that the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which went into effect in 2021, will assist Indian businesses in expanding their market share in Africa.
According to Jaishankar, India is among Africa’s top five most prominent investors, totalling USD 73.9 billion from 1996 to 2021. He also expressed his confidence that this number will rise—italics in original.