ADDIS ABABA – India’s relations with Ethiopia is the strongest in the quest to share experience and knowledge as well as in a spirit of solidarity treading similar paths of socio-economic development, according to India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia.
On his opening remark during the celebration of the founding of the 71st Republic Day yesterday, Ambasador Anurag Srivastava said Ethiopia and India relation is most visible in the field of education and health.
“In the field of education, I think almost every Ethiopian has felt the power of these bonds, either through a teacher in school, or in university or through our extensive scholarship programme. In the field of health, India continues to be a preferred destination for affordable and quality medical treatment,” he stated.
According to the Ambassador, the bilateral ties between the two countries, in the last few months, have witnessed vibrancy in other areas too.
In May 2019, the two countries launched the India-Ethiopia Innovation & Technology Commercialization Programme. The purpose of the programme is to share our technology and innovations for shared prosperity and to migrate at least 50 successful innovations in the areas like healthcare, agriculture, water & sanitation and environment & forestry, he explained.
In this process, it is set to create at least 50 successful small and medium enterprises over the next five years. Under this programme, 26 selected Indian technologies have found at least two matches each during the Innovation exposition held in Addis Ababa last month.
“By the middle of the year, we expect similar number of business ventures to be set up in Ethiopia to successfully commercialize these innovations,” the Ambassador stated.
Quoting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ambassador also said that India as a society has always prioritized the need of many over the want of one. “We have believed that the success of one must propel the growth of many. What drives India also holds hope for others. And what we dream for India is what we also wish for the world”.
This philosophy has inspired the ten guiding principles for India’s engagement with Africa laid down by Indian Prime Minister. The principles reflect a quest to share experience and knowledge in a spirit of solidarity with countries which are treading similar paths of socio-economic development, he said.
The Ethiopian Herald Jan 25, 2020
BY ZELALEM GIRMA
