Dear Editor,
India hosts a summit of 54 African nations this week to cement ties between the sub-continent and the African continent. There are four days of talks, banquets and entertainment. It is one of the largest gatherings of south-south world leaders outside of Non-Aligned summits; and every African country has a wish list of assistance it wants from India. Some 700 African journalists and over 2,000 delegates are slated to attend the proceedings. The summit is a chance for India to build bridges with the African Union members.
Caricom should seek a similar summit with India because of the benefits that will accrue from such a relationship. The Guyana government should press for such a summit since Guyana is the leading recipient of aid from India (on a per capita basis).
This is the third India-Africa summit with the first one held in 2008 in Delhi and the second one in Ethiopia in 2011. India has covered all the costs associated with the summits to host the delegates and leaders. The purpose of the summit is to increase trade and assist the African countries with development (technology, varied resources, advice, etc.); of course, India has strategic interests for the summits.
African countries have benefited enormously from this relationship with India which is among the leading emerging economies of this century. Prime Minister Modi stated that India’s areas of focus in Africa will continue to be “human resource development, institution building, infrastructure, clean energy, agriculture, health, education and skill development” – all towards helping the African countries. India has pledged to use its climate satellite to provide African countries with climate warnings for free so as to help with planning for agriculture.
This is India’s most extensive outreach to Africa and will set the stage for more economic and political interaction between India and Africa. India wants to double trade with Africa over the next ten years. India has been helping African countries with mineral extraction and farming. For example, with Indian assistance, Ethiopia is now the largest producer of sugar in Africa; Guyana should look to India to rescue its sugar industry.
India has been able to lower its poverty rate over the years and has assisted African countries to do same; it can do same with regards to Guyana. According to media reports, the World Bank estimated ”in 2011 that 32.7% of Indians and 47.5% of Africans were living on less than $1.25 per day.
Together, nearly 900 million people in India and Africa live in extreme poverty —almost 70% of the worldwide total”. But the report said “strong economic growth over the past decade has made significant inroads into poverty”. It noted that nearly “10% of Africa’s population escaped absolute poverty while India recorded even faster poverty reduction with 17% of its population exiting extreme poverty”.
In terms of GDP, India has recorded an average of 7.4% annually over the last 15 years and is today the third largest economy behind US and China in purchasing power parity terms. By 2050, India’s GDP is projected by the World Bank to be the largest.
Another ITV news report pointed out that with its new wealth, “since 2011, India has given out 25,000 scholarships to .. Africa and US$9 billion of foreign aid plus billions more in credit and technical assistance”.
There are many areas in which India can assist Guyana and other Caribbean countries. It is noted, for example, that several countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Benin have asked India for assistance in dealing with Islamic extremism. India has promised to help train soldiers in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency tactics. The same can be done for Guyana and Caricom.
South Sudan has asked for Indian help in cattle farming and livestock management. India, the world’s largest milk producer, has committed to sending dairy and animal husbandry experts. Guyana can use such assistance.
In Mozambique, Indian engineers have built a solar panel plant; it will help the country develop environmentally friendly solar energy as well as export solar panels to neighbouring countries creating jobs for thousands.
Guyana and Caricom countries are talking solar; India can help with technology and setting up factories in the region. India has rescued Ethiopia’s sugar industry creating almost 100,000 jobs. The same can be done for Guyana. Indian agronomists and farmers are aiding African countries with agriculture, reducing their depending on imported food. The same can be done in Guyana and the region.
Only good can result from a similar summit between Caricom and India that strengthens relations — investment in the region by Indian companies and increased foreign aid from India that will assist with our development.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram