OBOR counter? Modi for Asia-Africa corridor

Manas Dasgupta

Gandhinagar, May 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pitched for an “Asia-Africa growth corridor” supported by Japan and India, a move coming days after China launched its ambitious OBOR (One Belt, One Road) initiative.

Inaugurating the five-day 52nd annual general meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) here today, Modi said the partnership with African countries was free of any conditions and stressed the continent was a top priority for India.

“India is working with Japan to support development in Africa. I recall my conversation with Japanese Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe when I was in Tokyo last year. “In our joint declaration, we mentioned about Asia-Africa growth corridor and proposed further conversation with our brothers and sisters of Africa,” the Prime Minister said.

The pitch comes close on the heels of China launching its multi-billion dollar OBOR initiative, which aims to connect the Eurasian landmass and Indo-Pacific maritime routes. India decided to sit out of the initiative over sovereignty.

Assuring the African countries of India’s unflinching support, Modi quoted Nelson Mandela stating that “India came to our aid when the rest of the world stood by or gave succour to our oppressors. When the doors of international councils were closed to us, India opened the way.”

The PM said so far 152 credits amounting to $8 billion had been extended to 44 African countries. He expressed satisfaction on the trade situation between India and Africa which had doubled in the last five years to reach $72 billion in 2014-15. India’s commodity trade with Africa in 2015-16 was higher than that with the US, he said. (With agency inputs)