Author: IANS
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: June 11, 2011
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/344885/US-lauds-Indias-model-of-engaging-Africa.html
The US has lauded India's model of encouraging
growth in Africa as the two countries gear up to collaborate in the 53-nation
continent's agricultural sector.
"The India model for encouraging growth
in Africa is very impressive," US Assistant Secretary of State for South
and Central Asia Robert Blake said in Washington Thursday.
He described as "momentous" Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's two-nation trip to Africa that included visits to
Ethiopia and Tanzania.
"Prime Minister Singh undertook a momentous
trip to Africa several weeks ago, where he pledged over $5 billion dollars
in development deals, encouraged counter-terrorism cooperation and pledged
to create an India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development,"
Blake said.
India and Africa held their second forum summit
in Addis Ababa May 24-25 where New Delhi pledged $5.7 billion for setting
up over 80 training institutes and a host of capacity building initiatives
across the African continent. The second summit also distinguished India's
development-centric approach towards the African continent that revolves around
trade, training and human resource development.
During US President Barack Obama's visit to
India last November, India and the US agreed to collaborate in areas of agriculture
and food security on the one hand and to partner in the anti-poverty drive
on the other.
Since then, the two sides have held one round
of talks on Africa to carry forward the dialogue.
The two sides are expected to hold another
round of consultations on Africa later this year.
