India, Africa united by goals of progress, says Sushma

India and Africa are united by their common goals of peace, progress and prosperity, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Thursday as she sought cooperation and partnership between the two in the spirit of “sabka saath, sabka vikas”. 

Speaking at the third India-Africa Forum Summit, she said the gathering of Heads of Governments and States was like a “family reunion” and pointed to the shared history of struggle against imperialism, colonialism, racial discrimination and apartheid. Swaraj said at one time India and Africa were one landmass, united by geology and today are “united by our common goal for progress, prosperity and peace around the world”. She said the two countries are also joined together by the 2.7 million strong Indian diaspora in Africa, which is contributing actively to its economic development.

“India has always stood for and with Africa. Ours is a relationship forged in the crucible of the shared struggle against imperialism, colonialism, racial discrimination and apartheid. That era is now behind us, but the solidarity engendered by that shared struggle continues,” Swaraj said.