India launches new digital bridge with Africa

India on Monday signed an agreement with Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL) to establish a pan-African digital network aimed at strengthening cooperation with African countries in education and healthcare.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the e-VidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati Network Project would create a "digital bridge" between India and Africa by reducing geographical barriers and expanding access to Indian expertise.

The project will provide tele-education and telemedicine services by connecting selected Indian universities, educational institutions and super-speciality hospitals with institutions and hospitals in African countries.

Swaraj said the earlier version of the initiative used satellite-based technology and covered 48 African countries. Under the new project, two separate web-based portals will be established for tele-education and telemedicine, making access easier for students, doctors and other beneficiaries.

Highlighting the importance of Africa in India's foreign policy, Swaraj said senior Indian leaders had made 26 visits to African countries over the previous four years. She added that India plans to open 18 new resident diplomatic missions in Africa over the next four years.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 10 guiding principles for India's engagement with Africa, Swaraj said India's development partnership would be based on African priorities, local capacity building and creating opportunities for African talent.

She also said India would encourage and support Indian companies looking to invest in Africa while keeping its markets open to African trade.

India is already a major development partner for African nations and has extended 180 lines of credit worth around $11 billion to more than 40 African countries.