India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance the defence capabilities together, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.
He reiterated India’s commitment to provide support to African partner-countries in all defence related matters, including capability enhancement of their Armed Forces, to ensure their economic growth and social development. He emphasised that the full potential of a nation’s progress can be realised only when its security is ensured.
Rajnath made these observations in Pune during his address at the first edition of India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave organised on the sidelines of 2nd Africa-India Joint Exercise ‘AFINDEX.’ The conclave was attended by Army chief General Manoj Pande and Chiefs and representatives of 31 African nations, along with other civil and defence dignitaries.
“We believe that preservation of individual human rights such as the right to life and personal liberty, right to employment and right to livelihood are dependent on a strong and effective state apparatus which can ensure the Rule of Law as well as promote economic growth and social development. Development can only take place in a safe and secure environment,” the defence minister said. “Though many of us have come a long way since our independence, there are many African countries where the capacity building of state systems is still a work in progress,” he said while emphasising the need to build robust state structures which can cater to the needs and aspirations of the people.