The Gandhinagar Declaration seeks enhancing training cooperation in all areas of mutual interest between India & African nations

African nations and India are key players in ensuring a secure marine environment, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

Addressing the India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD), he noted that the two sides cooperate in several regional structures, which promote inclusive and fruitful engagement in addressing shared security issues and problems threatening peace and development.

The IADD took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, alongside DefExpo 2022.

Fifty African countries, including 20 Defence Ministers, seven CDS/Service Chiefs and eight Permanent Secretaries participated in the Dialogue, attesting to the high priority accorded to India-Africa engagement in defence and security, the Ministry of Defence noted.

The IADD's theme, "Adopting Strategy for Synergizing and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation," was successfully highlighted in the discussuons.

Singh described the IADD's central theme as the shared determination of African and Indian nations to investigate new frontiers in defense cooperation, such as capacity development, training, cyber security, maritime security, and counterterrorism.

The defence minister added that there are several dimensions to the Indo-African relationship, including diplomatic, economic, and military connections.

He emphasized the close ties between India and Africa, which are based on the regional security and economic growth initiative known as "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" philosophy (The World is One Family).

Additionally, Singh invited African nations to learn more about Indian defense technologies and equipment, claiming that India has recently become a major supplier of defense goods.

The Gandhinagar Declaration, which calls for enhancing training cooperation in all areas of mutual interest by increasing training slots and deputation of training teams, empowerment and capability building of the African defense forces, participation in drills, and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters, was also adopted as an IADD 2022 outcome document, according to the ministry's official press release.

Additionally, it was stated that the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis in India provided fellowships for specialists from African nations.