New Delhi: Expressing solidarity with Africa on the occasion of the Africa Day celebration in New Delhi, External Affairs minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Wednesday said India stands fully committed to Africa’s development, prosperity and progress.“Our partnership continues to strengthen in trade, development cooperation, capacity building and security. And as Global South partners, India strongly advocates a greater voice for Africa in global institutions and discourse. India and Africa will engage and work together very closely. We will together fashion a contemporary agenda of cooperation aimed towards realisation of African priorities,” he said He said India has opened 17 new missions in Africa taking the total to 46 which shows India’s commitment to building relationships with Africa. Outlining various aspects of cooperation, EAM said, India has provided e-visa facilities to 33 countries and improved air connectivity with the region. Earlier, speaking at an event of Italian Embassy, the minister said India gave a “firm, resolute and measured” response by destroying terror centres and launchpads in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, and the country’s right to defend its people against terrorism has also been recognised by nations across the world. He also recalled the solidarity expressed by Italy following the “barbaric” terror attack on April 22 in which 26 lives were lost. “We are thankful for Italy’s solidarity and support to India following the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India gave a firm and resolute and measured response by destroying the relevant terror centres and launchpads,” Dr Jaishankar said. “India’s right to defend its people against acts of terror has also been recognised by countries across the world. We believe that the world will have zero tolerance for terrorism and cross-border terrorism,” he added.
Source link
