India wants to strengthen African ties in digital public infrastructure

India’s external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, says the country wants to strengthen its relationship with African countries in digital public infrastructure.

Jaishankar was speaking during a meeting with several media practitioners from southern and eastern Africa in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Journalists and editors from 15 African countries, including Namibia, undertook a 10-day familiarisation trip to the Asian country on invitation of India’s ministry of external affairs.

During the meeting, the minister engaged the African media delegation on the digital transformation underway in India, and his country’s priorities to the Global South and expanding India-Africa ties.

“I appreciate their interest in India’s foreign policy choices, trade ties with Africa and cooperation on digital public infrastructure,” the minister said.

Journalists visited several technology, innovation and business hubs, including the Public Space Agency of India, Institute of Science in Bangalore and the Indian Agricultural Institute, as well as the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.

News presenter and reporter from the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency Didace Niyibizi said the visit gave African journalists first-hand experience of India’s development in the areas of technology.

“It’s also interesting to see how India is collaborating with Africa in terms of education, hospitality and tourism. We hope this partnership continues for the benefit of both Africa and India,” he said.

Vivaga Thambiran, the editor of Rising Sun in Durban, South Africa, said he has witnessed that India is fast developing in key areas.

“They are one of the leading developing nations in terms of agriculture and information technology. Africa can learn a lot from India, including their culture of a good work ethic,” he said.