India
Army: India, African nations need to strengthen ties to counter terrorism, extremism: Indian Army chief | India News
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PUNE: Reminding the rich contributions of the Indian armed forces personnel while serving in African nations over decades, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande on Tuesday said that strengthening the ties between them is imperative to counter the threats of terrorism and violent extremism that have potential to affect development goals.
“Strengthening our cooperation and mutual capabilities in combating terrorism and extremism was one of the 10 guiding principles of cooperation with Africa, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018,” he said while addressing the first India-Africa Army Chiefs’ conclave.
.”Our collective experience can help us to better prepare for emerging security threats. Many African armies have experience in operating in challenging environments and can offer valuable insights into the tactics, techniques and procedures,” he added.
He further said 129 soldiers of the Indian armed forces have laid down their lives in peacekeeping operations on African soil. “They include Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) for his exemplary valour and courage on December 5, 1961, in Elizabeth village in Congo,” General Pande said.
Five out of the six Indian army battalions deployed on UN missions currently are in Africa. The total deployment of Indian defence personnel on UN missions in Africa extends 5,000, which includes close to 150 staff officers and military observers. Lately, a utility helicopter unit has been designated to be deployed in Mali, the army chief said.
He remembered Mahatma Gandhi who had “developed the concept of non-violence and peaceful resistance while in South Africa” and whose “values greatly influenced Nelson Mandela”. “Both Mahatma Gandhi and Mandela lead resolute and formidable resistance movements, against colonialism and imperialism,” he said.
Since independence, India has stepped up to its role as a voice for developing nations and was a leading campaigner at the UN in support of African decolonisation, he added.
“A new era of global cooperation and collaboration is important that we renew our commitment to each other and continue to build on the strong foundations built by our ancestors. Together India and Africa represent one-third of humanity and the Indian diaspora, spread across 46 countries in Africa, accounts for approximately 12.5% of the total diaspora worldwide. These large numbers are reflective of the vast potential for cooperation between us in various fields,” the army chief added.
As one of the largest true contributors, the Army chief said, the Indian armed forces have been actively involved in several United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa since 1960.
But the Indian armed forces have traditionally been connected with African counterparts since 1957 when the army helped establish the military academy in Ethiopia, followed by the Nigerian defence school in 1964.
“The cooperation in the field of training continues till date as nearly 200 African trainees subscribe to our courses annually. This year, we have offered a total of 1,172 army, navy and air force vacancies on training courses to partner nations in Africa. In addition, Indian army teams are deployed in Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia. Deployment of Indian army teams in Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique and Nigeria is nearing the equation,” the army chief added.
The Indian defence industry can contribute towards building the capacity of African defence industries. It will also create opportunities for Indian companies to expand their reach in the region, General Pande said.
He further said collaborative approach in defence manufacturing will be a win-win situation for India-Africa cooperation.
The event was attended by 31 representatives and delegates, chiefs of 10 African nations and senior Indian armed forces officers.
“Strengthening our cooperation and mutual capabilities in combating terrorism and extremism was one of the 10 guiding principles of cooperation with Africa, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018,” he said while addressing the first India-Africa Army Chiefs’ conclave.
.”Our collective experience can help us to better prepare for emerging security threats. Many African armies have experience in operating in challenging environments and can offer valuable insights into the tactics, techniques and procedures,” he added.
He further said 129 soldiers of the Indian armed forces have laid down their lives in peacekeeping operations on African soil. “They include Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) for his exemplary valour and courage on December 5, 1961, in Elizabeth village in Congo,” General Pande said.
Five out of the six Indian army battalions deployed on UN missions currently are in Africa. The total deployment of Indian defence personnel on UN missions in Africa extends 5,000, which includes close to 150 staff officers and military observers. Lately, a utility helicopter unit has been designated to be deployed in Mali, the army chief said.
He remembered Mahatma Gandhi who had “developed the concept of non-violence and peaceful resistance while in South Africa” and whose “values greatly influenced Nelson Mandela”. “Both Mahatma Gandhi and Mandela lead resolute and formidable resistance movements, against colonialism and imperialism,” he said.
Since independence, India has stepped up to its role as a voice for developing nations and was a leading campaigner at the UN in support of African decolonisation, he added.
“A new era of global cooperation and collaboration is important that we renew our commitment to each other and continue to build on the strong foundations built by our ancestors. Together India and Africa represent one-third of humanity and the Indian diaspora, spread across 46 countries in Africa, accounts for approximately 12.5% of the total diaspora worldwide. These large numbers are reflective of the vast potential for cooperation between us in various fields,” the army chief added.
As one of the largest true contributors, the Army chief said, the Indian armed forces have been actively involved in several United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa since 1960.
But the Indian armed forces have traditionally been connected with African counterparts since 1957 when the army helped establish the military academy in Ethiopia, followed by the Nigerian defence school in 1964.
“The cooperation in the field of training continues till date as nearly 200 African trainees subscribe to our courses annually. This year, we have offered a total of 1,172 army, navy and air force vacancies on training courses to partner nations in Africa. In addition, Indian army teams are deployed in Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia. Deployment of Indian army teams in Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique and Nigeria is nearing the equation,” the army chief added.
The Indian defence industry can contribute towards building the capacity of African defence industries. It will also create opportunities for Indian companies to expand their reach in the region, General Pande said.
He further said collaborative approach in defence manufacturing will be a win-win situation for India-Africa cooperation.
The event was attended by 31 representatives and delegates, chiefs of 10 African nations and senior Indian armed forces officers.
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