New Delhi: With China made a deep breakthrough to Africa, India now planned to institutionalize two-year conclave with defense ministers from various countries on the continent.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will host the second Indian-African Dialogue (IADD) on the sidelines of Defexpo scheduled for Gandhinagar in Gujarat in March next year, an official said on Monday.
The first IADD was held at Lucknow at Uttar Pradesh along with Defexpo in February last year, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Defense and External.
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Talks occur a day in front of ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue between foreign ministers and Indian and Australian defenses.
“India proposes to institutionalize the IADD during Defexpos, which is held every two years.
This will help build existing partnerships with African countries.
The IADD will explore the field of new convergence for reciprocal involvement including fields such as capacity building, training, security Cyber, maritime security and counter terrorism, “officials said.
Institute of Manohar Parragar for defense studies and analysis is an IADD knowledge partner and will assist in providing the support needed for increasing defense cooperation between India and Africa.
“India and Africa have close and historical relations.
The foundation of Indian-Africa defense relations is based on the two guiding principles namely ‘Sagar’ (security and growth for all in this region) and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is a family),” he said.
In line with the overall policy to increase military outreach to Africa, the army has also conducted the first African-India Military Training Training, which included 18 countries from the continent, at the Aundh military station in Pune in March 2019.
Apart from the visit by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and The head of the General Bipin defense staff to Africa, India has also held a defense cooperation talks with countries such as Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Marocco, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.