Abidjan, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of development cooperation between India and Africa during a recent address in Abidjan. He emphasized that India’s approach has always considered the needs and priorities of its African partner nations.
Speaking to former participants of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, Jaishankar referenced the ‘Kampala Principles’ introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi eight years ago. He noted that these principles have shaped the direction of India-Africa relations and cooperation.
Jaishankar stated, “Development partnership has always been crucial in our engagement with Africa. Our perspective is that any cooperation India extends should align with the needs and priorities of our African partners. The core message of the Kampala Principles articulated by Prime Minister Modi eight years ago reflects this very sentiment.”
He underscored the pivotal role of the ITEC program, which facilitates the sharing of India’s experiences in development, security, and governance with other countries. Additionally, it fosters discussions on technology and expertise.
“This program is not merely a means for India to share its experiences; it also allows us to learn significantly from the participants from partner countries. The institutions in India that host ITEC participants benefit from their experiences and presence,” Jaishankar added.
This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the ITEC program, which began in 1964. Over the years, it has evolved into one of India’s most important initiatives for capacity building and cooperation with other nations.
Jaishankar noted that the ITEC program now reaches over 160 partner countries, providing fully funded training to around 10,000 individuals annually across various sectors.
He explained, “Today, ITEC encompasses a range of fields, including ICT and digital governance, public administration, banking, finance, agriculture, energy, and skill development. It also includes training related to defense, security, and counter-terrorism, aiming to create a comprehensive package that meets the diverse needs of our partner countries.”
Reflecting on the longstanding and friendly relations between India and Côte d’Ivoire, Jaishankar remarked that capacity building has been a crucial aspect of their partnership. In the past 12 years, Côte d’Ivoire has utilized approximately 800 ITEC slots.
“This represents a significant investment in human resources. More importantly, it fosters long-term relationships between our two countries,” he said.
Jaishankar also announced a commitment to provide 123 slots in the defense sector and 100 slots in civilian sectors. He emphasized the importance of these regular exchanges, stating, “While assets can be created and people can travel to each other’s countries, the connections, emotions, experiences, and memories formed through these courses are the true strength of any relationship.”
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