India engages in broad-based dialogue with African countries to consolidate strategic ties, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• India engaged in extensive dialogues with African leaders on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit to strengthen strategic ties.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to review bilateral relations and global issues.
• India also hosted Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union, discussing the India-Africa Forum Summit and cooperation within the Global South.
• The New Delhi Declaration from the BRICS Summit addressed racial injustice, decolonization, and acknowledged South Africa's legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
• PM Modi also held discussions with the Vice Presidents of Uganda and Nigeria, focusing on technology, capacity building, trade, and digital initiatives.

Detailed Insights:

• The engagements occurred after the postponement of the India-Africa Forum Summit due to the Ebola crisis.
• Discussions with Ethiopia focused on economic cooperation, defense, security, and capacity building, with Ethiopia highlighting its digital public infrastructure.
• The New Delhi Declaration referenced the Bandung Conference of 1955 as a symbol of Asian-African solidarity.
• South Africa's initiative at the International Court of Justice against Israel was noted for reaffirming Israel's obligation to ensure humanitarian aid in Gaza.
• India reaffirmed its support for Uganda's Vision 2040, emphasizing technology partnerships and investment facilitation.
• Meetings with Nigeria covered initiatives in trade, defense, agriculture, health, and digital technologies.
• The India-African Union partnership was recognized as a crucial pillar of cooperation within the Global South.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, promoting cooperation among member states.
• Global South: A term referring to countries often described as developing or newly industrialized, primarily located in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ): The principal judicial organ of the United Nations, responsible for settling legal disputes between states.
• Bandung Conference (1955): A historic meeting of Asian and African states that promoted Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation and opposed colonialism.