Lok Sabha Question No. 5535 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: India's Diplomatic Presence in Africa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Dr. K Sudhakar, Shri P P Chaudhary, Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary, Shri Dharambir Singh, Shri Khagen Murmu, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 5535

ANSWERED ON- 04/04/2025

## INDIA'S DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN AFRICA

†5535. SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY

DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU

SMT. BHARTI PARDHI

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE

SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA

SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH

DR. K SUDHAKAR

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the initiatives/actions taken to strengthen India's strategic presence in the African continent;

(b) whether there are any new agreements or collaborations proposed to be formed with African countries in areas like energy, infrastructure and education;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d)   the   manner   in   which   India's   development   assistance   to   African nations has evolved in the recent years; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance people-to-people contacts between India and African countries?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to e)  Over the past decade, India's engagement in Africa has been guided by  Vision SAGAR  (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which   was   recently   expanded   to  Vision   MAHASAGAR  (Mutual   and Holistic Advancement of Security and Growth Across Regions) for the Global South.  India maintains active diplomatic relations with African nations   through   frequent   high-level   engagements,   including   Summits such   as   India   Africa   Forum   Summit   (IAFS);   India-Africa   Business Conclave (IABC) etc. and bilateral meetings. These interactions, at the level   of   HoS/HoG,   Ministers,   and   Senior   Officials,   help   to   strengthen political   ties,   address   mutual   concerns,   and   explore   avenues   for cooperation   in   various   sectors. We   have   expanded   our   diplomatic footprint in Africa with the opening of 16 new diplomatic Missions since

2018,   taking   the   total   Indian   Missions   in   the   continent   to   45.   The inclusion of African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during our Presidency in 2023 was also an important step for India to partner with Africa   in   its   Development   Framework   Agenda   2063.   India   has strengthened its strategic presence in Africa through initiatives such as infrastructure   projects,   capacity-building   and   training   programmes including under ICCR and  Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC),   and  collaboration   in   sectors   including   energy,   education   and healthcare.

India's development partnership with Africa is based on a consultative model   of   cooperation,   sharing   of   development   experiences   and   is focused on addressing the priorities and needs of the African countries. Over the years, it has  evolved to prioritize sustainable, people-centric projects. In infrastructure, more than 190 LOCs amounting to US$ 12.22 billion have been extended to 42 partner countries in Africa to implement projects in varied sectors such as power, hydroelectricity, transmission & distribution networks, dams, roads, railways, agriculture & irrigation, industrial units, skills development, civil construction, defence, etc. In education,   over   37,000   Africans   have   been   trained   in   India   under ITEC/ICCR scholarships in the last 10 years.  India has also launched the second   phase   of   the   tele-education   and   tele-medicine   project.   On

energy,   we   have   invited   most   of   the   African   countries   to   join   the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to harness alternate and renewable sources of energy; and Global Biofuel Alliance to facilitate and promote intensive utilisation of sustainable biofuel. People-to-people relations are an important dimension of our relations with   Africa,   and   we   have   extended   e-Visa   facilities   to   33   African countries. To further deepen people-to-people contact, from time to time, Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEP) are signed with various countries in the region. Familiarization visit of foreign   journalists   to   India   is   also   conducted   which   includes engagements with Government departments and field visits to places of commercial, scientific, educational and touristic interests.

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