No let up in India’s engagement of Global South as Kenya’s defence secretary sets foot in New Delhi

India has welcomed arrival of Kenya’s defence secretary in the capital, signalling that that there is no let-up in New Delhi’s energetic engagement of Africa and Global South.

The visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg on August 24.

Aden Bare Duale, Kenya’s visiting defence secretary, will hold talks with his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday. Representing an Indian Ocean nation, the visiting dignitary will visit Indian shipyards and defence industries in Goa and Bengaluru, a defence ministry statement said.
“The visit is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with African nations and the growing cooperation between India and Kenya, in particular. It is expected to open new avenues for further strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries,” the statement read.

During his intervention, the Prime Minister had spotlighted India’s commitment to support Africa’s Agenda 2063—a 50-year blueprint to transform Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
In defining a multi-polar world, the PM Modi had urged a partnership in the arena of counter-terrorism, environment conservation, climate action, cybersecurity, food & health security and resilient supply chains.

The Prime Minister invited African countries to be a part of international initiatives such as International Solar Alliance, One Sun One World One Grid, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, One Earth One Health, Big Cat Alliance and Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. He also offered to share India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Stack.

India has energised its Global South diplomacy, highlighted during its G-20 presidency where New Delhi will become the voice of the developing countries and emerging economies.

Also Read: BRICS Summit: PM Modi, Ramaphosa vow to strengthen voice of Global South