Africa, We Stand By You, Says President

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Indian Community Reception in Accra, Ghana yesterday (June 13, 2016).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that his visit to Africa was to convey the message that India stands by Africa. He told the Indian community that India's partnership and friendship with Africa are abiding and enduring. India will continue to work with Ghana and other countries of the continent for mutual benefit and progress.

The President said that the ten thousand strong Indian community in Ghana is a vibrant amalgam of individuals from different walks of life. Each one of them has a story to tell - that inspires others towards greater things and motivates an entire generation. Their contributions have, no doubt, been valued and appreciated by the friendly people of Ghana.He said that looking at the Indian Community in Ghana, the people of Ghana could see a microcosm of the Indian diversity and plurality.

The President said that India's trade with Africa is over US$70 billion and investments about US$35 billion. The 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in October last year provided a medium to long-term vision for India's cooperation with Africa. The Indian Diaspora in Africa will have an important role to play in accomplishing some of the objectives of this vision.

He said that the efforts of the Indian Community in Ghana is complementing many foreign policy measures taken by the Government of India to assist the friendly countries in Africa, including Ghana. India has extended over US$400 million of concessional credit to Ghana in the last few years for various projects. EXIM bank is also providing funding for a railway project. India-Ghana bilateral trade has reached US$3 billion and Indian investments in this country are estimated ataround US$1 billion. These giant strides would not have been possible without the active role of the Diaspora. They had become force multipliers of India's growing economic strength. The President thanked them for their commitment.

The President congratulated all of them for making India proud through their contributions to the socio-economic development of Ghana. He called upon them to actively take part in various programmes which the Government of India has embarked upon such as Digital India; Stand-Up India; Start-Up India; Smart Cities; Swatch Bharat etc.

This release issued at 1400 hrs.