Speaking at the 31st young African journalists session in Cairo, the Ambassador said it is important to promote cooperation between the private sectors of India and African states to boost economic development of both sides.

Calling on African countries to encourage the establishment of more small and medium sized ventures, the Indian diplomat said Africa also needs to upgrade people's skills as well as technical education.

Gopinathan highlighted the deeply-rooted African-Indian relations at all levels, saying the first Africa- India summit held in New Delhi in April ended with two important documents the Delhi Declaration and the Africa-India Framework for Cooperation.

The declaration called for establishing more African-Indian partnerships and the framework focused on beefing up Indian- African cooperation in various fields including economy, trade, investment and agriculture, he said.

R-3:30-3:45 PM

E-3:47-10:01 PM

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