Indian Vice-President concludes his positive tour of Gabon, stresses on Health cooperation

Trade, investments, cultural, historical, and political contacts have defined India's and Africa's connections for centuries. Both sides have a young population, a fast-growing economy, and immense natural riches, creating envy and intrigue across the world. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will conclude his visit to Gabon and Senegal from May 30 to June 3, 2022. 

This is India's first Vice President-level visit to all three nations and a first high-level visit to Gabon as well as Senegal. The travels to Gabon & Senegal would boost India's relationship with Africa and highlight its commitment to the region, which is becoming increasingly crucial to India's foreign policy.

On 30 May-1 June 2022, the Indian Vice President visited Gabon. He met with Gabon's Prime Minister Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda. The vice president met with Gabon's president and other officials. He spoke to Gabon's business community and the Indian diaspora. Both sides advanced collaboration in commerce, health, energy, ICT, capacity building, pharmaceuticals, and more.

India has helped Africa tackle the Covid-19 outbreak with loans and investments in recent years. Under Vaccine Maitri, India delivered Made in India Covid vaccinations to 42 African countries.

India aims to interact with Africa meaningfully, concentrating on key competencies like the development of human resources, training and skill development, education, and healthcare services, unlike China, which concentrates on manufacturing capacity and infrastructure in Africa. China's economic structure of interaction with Africa seems tempting and has provided huge dividends in recent years, but Africa is fascinated by India's support for democratic norms, procedures, institutions, and people-to-people contact.