A “long-term” agreement was signed on Thursday between India and Mozambique by PM Narendra Modi, under which India will buy pulses from this country to plug its shortfall and contain prices of this commodity.
This was followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wide-ranging talks with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo. The agreement to buy pulses, he said, would now help India to meet the requirements and help raise the farmers’ income in Mozambique.
Mr. Narendra Modi had arrived here on Thursday morning on a one day visit on the first leg of his five-day tour of four African countries.
After Declaring Mozambique as a Indian “trusted friend” and a “reliable partner” Mr. Modi announced that essential medicines, including those for treating AIDS, Malaria and many other diseases would be donated to Mozambique as part of efforts to strengthen the public health system of the African nation. India will also help build capacities of Mozambique’s security forces.
“We want development and economic progress to benefit the people. We also want safety and security of our people,” Mr. Narendra Modi said at a joint media interaction with Mr. Nyusi after the talks .
Mr. Modi also said terrorism is the “gravest threat” to the world and there was a huge need to bolster security and defence ties between India and Mozambique, which are connected by the Indian Ocean. The networks of terrorism were interlinked with other crimes, including drug trafficking. To curb this menace, India and Mozambique signed a pact.
Mr. Naredndra Modi also talked about the “emerging security challenges”, including in the maritime areas. He said the two countries would step up security and defence cooperation.
“Our partnership is driven by convergence of capacities and interest…Mozambique’s strengths are India’s needs and what Mozambique needs is in India. We complement each other,” he said.
He noted that agriculture development is the top priority for Mozambique. India would be partnering this endeavour through development of agricultural infrastructure and productivity in this country. “We have agreed to put this on a fast track,” he said.
He identified agriculture, healthcare, energy security, security, defence and skill development as some of the areas having potential for cooperation.
Describing Mozambique as the “gateway” to Africa, Mr. Modi said one-fourth of India’s investment in this continent is in this country. The bilateral trade had continued to grow and there was need to provide a “nurturing” environment.
He recalled the “sad struggles” and “sufferings” of the two countries during the colonial days. He said India had been the strongest supporter of Mozambique’s independence
Mr. Modi said the relationship between India and Mozambique should not remain stuck in the past. His talks with Mr. Nyusi had covered the aspects like “shared vision” for the better future and partnership, he said.
Mr. Modi noted he had chosen this country as his first stopover in the four-nation tour that will also include South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, as Mr. Nyusi had also made India his first stopover during his Asian tour last year.
Mr. Modi presented to the Mozambique President a booklet brought out by the Indian High Commission in English to act as a guide to the Indian business persons who intend to invest in this country.
Keywords: Narendra Modi’s Africa visit, Narendra Modi, Filipe Nyusi, pulses import, terrorism, denfence ties, Mozambique