The second round of the India-US Dialogue on Africa kicked off today in Washington DC, marking a significant milestone in collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing developmental synergies on the African continent. The dialogue, scheduled for May 14-15, is being jointly led by Shri Puneet R. Kundal, Additional Secretary for Economic and Southern African Affairs (AS E&SA) from the Indian side, and Shri Sevala N. Mude, Additional Secretary for Commerce and West African Affairs (AS C&WA). On the US side, the delegation is led by Ms. Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
The India-US dialogue on Africa underscores a shared commitment to engage in meaningful exchanges of ideas and perspectives. It seeks to explore avenues for developing institutional, technical, and bilateral synergies that can drive collaborative efforts in Africa. The primary focus is on identifying and supporting developmental projects and programs that align with African priorities while leveraging the respective strengths of India and the United States.
The timing of this dialogue holds particular significance as it marks the first such engagement between the two nations after the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s recent presidency of the group. This development underscores the growing importance of African perspectives and priorities in global dialogues on economic and developmental cooperation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the dialogue, Shri Puneet R. Kundal highlighted the strategic importance of India-US collaboration in Africa. He emphasized the need for joint efforts to address key challenges and harness opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.
Ms. Mary Catherine Phee echoed these sentiments, expressing the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships with India and African nations. She emphasized the importance of mutual respect, shared values, and innovative approaches to address complex developmental issues in Africa effectively.
The agenda of the India-US Dialogue on Africa includes discussions on a wide range of topics such as trade and investment, healthcare, renewable energy, infrastructure development, and capacity building. Both sides are expected to explore concrete measures to enhance cooperation and create a positive impact on the ground in Africa.
The dialogue is set to conclude tomorrow, with stakeholders optimistic about the outcomes and the potential for deeper collaboration between India, the United States, and African nations in the years to come.
Stay tuned for further updates on the outcomes and key agreements from the India-US Dialogue on Africa as the discussions progress over the next two days.