New Delhi committed to buying one lakh tons of 'arhar' from Mozambique

Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha said Thursday that India is committed to buying one lakh tons of 'Arhar' from Mozambique this year, and will increase the limit by 25, 000 tons every year thereafter.

Sinha said that New Delhi will also assist Mozambique with new technologies and seeds to help that nation increase its agricultural output.

"Arhar dal is produced here (Mozambique) in abundance. So, we have guaranteed to take one lakh tons this year and will increase by 25,000 tons every year. Along with this, we will also provide them new seeds and teach them new techniques to increase their productivity," said Sinha.

Sinha further said that the pricing at which India will buy pulses from Mozambique is linked with the minimum support price (MSP) provided to farmers in India for mutual profits.

Sinha said, "The (bilateral) discussion covered a wide range of issues right from Diaspora to defense to maritime security, food security and of course, capacity building in agriculture."

Discussions were also held about the investment climate and how favorable conditions can be created for Indian investors in Mozambique.

Sinha pointed out that Prime Minister Modi has handed over a special booklet created for explaining the ground situation of Maputo to Indian investors.

The two countries have signed three MoUs.

"One deals with drug trafficking, contraband and psychotropic chemicals and second is for cooperation in youth and sport, which is very significant because 66 percent of Mozambique population is below 34 years of age and they wish to learn from our own experiences. The third and the most critical one relates to our food security quest," said Sinha.

The senior MEA official further revealed that the Prime Minister has reiterated his view that he saw Mozambique as India's gateway to Africa.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Mozambique on Thursday, as a part of his four nation tour of the African continent.

He is the first Indian head of government to visit Mozambique after 34 years.

During his five-day four-nation tour to Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

Energy, food security, trade, maritime cooperation and diaspora interactions will remain high on the Prime Minister's agenda for discussion.

The Prime Minister is also expected to visit Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Durban during his visit.