Modi says India, Africa to set ambitious targets for development partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), to be held here from October 26-29, was expected to set substantially higher and ambitious targets for their development partnership.

"We also aim to make it more effective, drawing upon our experience over the past decade," he said in a written interview with African journalists at the Editors Forum for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit here.

"As in the past, our primary aim is to support our African partners in their efforts to accelerate the momentum of their development. We will also address key challenges of our times, including food, health and environmental security," he said.

Mr. Modi said the two sides would create conditions that stimulate trade and investment flows between their countries. 

"We will work together to address the problems of climate change. We will explore new areas like a sustainable Blue Economy. Our initiatives will aim to use the power of science and technology, Space science and the networked world to transform lives. This is not a one-way street. We hope to learn a great deal from numerous African success stories in all walks of life," he said.

Mr. Modi said they would also reinforce their partnership on the global platform and deepen their security cooperation, including on maritime security and countering terrorism.

NNN