External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that India’s partnership with Africa is being developed with a long term vision that extends beyond the present generation. Speaking at the Foreign Service Institute of Ghana in Accra, he said diplomacy should help manage competition without allowing differences to develop into confrontation, while also encouraging cooperation despite varying interests.
Dr. Jaishankar highlighted India’s progress in areas including the economy, infrastructure, digital technology and manufacturing. He stressed the importance of India and African countries working to ensure that their young populations become skilled and empowered citizens.
He also underlined the need for resilient supply chains covering fuel, food, fertiliser and finance. The External Affairs Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South.
Dr. Jaishankar said India’s partnership with Africa extends across several areas, including trade, infrastructure, capacity building, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, agriculture, health and clean energy.
During his visit to Ghana, he also interacted with members of the Indian community and friends of India in the country.
Later, Dr. Jaishankar joined Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to plant a Frangipani sapling. The plantation was carried out under India’s Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative and Ghana’s Tree for Life initiative.