BackNeed to increase direct flights between India and Africa, says Rwandan diplomat
I think we need to look at how to maximize connectivity, especially air connectivity, said Rwandan high commissioner to India, Ernest Rwamucyo
Premium
New Delhi: In the space of a little over a month, India’s president, vice-president and prime minister have toured nine African nations, emphasising the connect between Asia’s third largest economy and the continent, which is seen as the world’s newest growth pole, besides laying the foundations of a modern partnership.
But one area that needs urgent attention is direct air connectivity, said an African diplomat in India, considering the rise in the number of people travelling between Africa and India.
“An opportunity that is under exploited is connectivity between India and Africa. If you look at the Indian population in Africa and... you look at the traffic of African students coming to India, the patients coming for high-end treatment in some of the major hospitals here, I think we need to look at how to maximize connectivity, especially air connectivity," Rwandan high commissioner to India, Ernest Rwamucyo, said.
He was speaking at the launch of a book, titled India and Africa: Towards a new Dawn, in New Delhi late Wednesday.
“We would like to see Air India fly to major airports in Africa. On the African side, we are doing some bit on our part. Rwanda Air should be launching its first flight from Kigali to Mumbai by the end of this year. We are working with the Indian government on that. Even for a small country like us, we think there is potential for Rwanda Air to fly to India," Rwamucyo said.
According to Indian government figures, there are some 15,000 African students in India. Hundreds of Africans also come to India each year for medical treatment. At present, African airlines flying to India include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airlines.
The low levels of direct air connectivity between India and Africa was also commented upon by Amar Sinha, secretary economic relations in India’s ministry of external affairs.
Briefing reporters ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Africa on 1 July, Sinha said that India was “hoping to sign agreements or MOUs on civil aviation cooperation that is Bilateral Air Services Agreement because that is one gap that we see... while we have very good relations with the African countries, none of the Indian airlines operate or have any direct connectivity with any of these countries in Africa. So, we are trying to see that and of course I think the government would redress this situation slowly."
Seen as wielding a major influence in Africa in the 1970s and 1980s, when India supported decolonisation movements, India has seen its leverage getting eroded in recent decades with countries like China, Malaysia, South Korea and those from the West moving into the space.
In the past decade, India has been trying to regain the ground it lost in Africa, positioning itself as a partner of choice in areas such as healthcare, education and investment and trade. India-Africa trade was almost $70 billion in 2014-15 and Indian investments into Africa in the past decade amounted to $30-35 billion.
The third India-Africa Summit hosted in New Delhi in October last year was aimed at recasting its ties with the resource-rich continent. The first India-Africa Summit India was also hosted in New Delhi, while the second was in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
