Narendra Modi reiterates India’s commitment to Africa while in Uganda, promising to open 18 embassies
Uganda’s government depends heavily on outside money, especially loans from Chinese banks, to implement increasingly ambitious infrastructure projects
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged on Wednesday to “intensify and deepen” the Asian country’s engagement with Africa, saying his government will do more to support African governments.
In remarks to Uganda’s legislature, Modi said that “Africa will be at the top of our priorities,” and that India intends to open 18 embassies in Africa.
“India is proud to be Africa’s partner,” he said. “Our development partnership will be guided by your priorities. It will be on terms that will be comfortable for you, that will liberate your potential and not constrain your future.”
He extolled the ideals of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, saying: “India’s freedom will remain incomplete so long as Africa remains in bondage.”
India’s government is planning to build a Gandhi heritage centre at the source of the Nile River in eastern Uganda where some of Gandhi’s ashes were immersed, he said during his two-day visit to this country.
Modi on Tuesday announced his government would lend Uganda up to US$205 million to expand the electricity grid and boost commercial farming.