Asia, Africa must counter IS scourge resolutely: Sushma

The Islamic State (IS) has emerged as a cause of "grave concern" and the countries of Asia and Africa must be resolute in countering its scourge, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the Asian African Summit here on Wednesday.

Addressing the summit, Sushma Swaraj also said maritime security was a matter of concern.

"As we embark upon the concept of 'Blue Economy' as a new pillar of development, it becomes even more important to secure our seas," she said.

She said Asia and Africa were both "in consonance" on the issue of reform the UN and its Security Council and other global institutions "where our voices are not being heard".

She stressed the need for "more cohesive action on this" and added that "India is ready to play its due role in the new world order".

On reform of the UNSC, the minister said "Asian and African countries need to make sustained efforts to reform the United Nations, revitalise the UN General Assembly and expand the membership of the UN Security Council.

"A reformed and expanded UN Security Council, taking into account the current global realities, will significantly increase representation of Asia and Africa in the UN Security Council."

On the threat of terrorism, she said the rise of extremist violence and terrorism was "one of the most disturbing security phenomena and several parts of our two continents are victim to a medley of terrorist groups".

"The ISIS has emerged as a cause of grave concern in the last year. We must be resolute in countering this scourge that challenges our civilisation."

On the issue of development, the minister said that while the pace of socio-economic development in Asia and Africa has acquired momentum, huge infrastructural investments were required to make food and energy accessible to all.

"We shall need to adapt technologies, increase efficiencies and introduce innovations. Given our similar developmental needs we have much to learn from each other in meeting our developmental goals."

She also said India considers the Asian and African region as part of its extended neighbourhood and attaches the utmost importance to its economic engagement with the countries in these two continents.

"Asia has emerged as a major trading and investment partner for India. India's interaction and integration with the South and East Asian economies has grown substantially with the launch of its Look East Policy in 1992 and we expect to achieve greater integration with our dynamic neighbours through our Act East Policy to realise the dream of an Asian century."

"Today, with substantial trade and investments, Africa is a frontier of new opportunities. We are interested in Africa's economic growth and its integration with global economy. Our bilateral trade and investments are both growing rapidly and we have also extended Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme to Least Developed Countries," she said.

Sushma Swaraj said India was actively engaged in economic development, human resources development, capacity building, agriculture and food processing, infrastructure development and maritime security in Africa through its flagship programme of India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS).

"We will be hosting the Third India-Africa Forum Summit in end-October this year when I hope to receive several of the leaders present today in my country," she said.

She reiterated India's "abiding commitment to deepen and strengthen its partnership with Asia and Africa for the attainment of the development priorities identified under the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership".

"India is confident that this could be achieved through its renewed Africa policy and the Act East Policy."