The world needs cooperation and not competition in the eastern shores of Africa to ensure that the continent does not turn into a "theatre of rival ambitions" again, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, apparently referring to China's growing military presence in the region.
China, which is Africa's largest trading partner, opened its first so called support base for its navy on the continent last year in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti.
The Chinese base in Djibouti follows decades of Chinese investment in diplomacy in Africa, which has raised concerns in India.
Modi, who arrived here yesterday on the second leg of his Africa tour, today addressed the Parliament of Uganda and said India wants to deepen ita engagement with Africa and outlined 10 guiding principles to do that.
He said one of the guiding principles is to work with African nations to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations.
"The world needs cooperation and not competition in the eastern shores of Africa and the eastern Indian Ocean. That is why India's vision of Indian Ocean Security is cooperative and inclusive, rooted in security and growth for all in the region," he said, without mentioning the name of any country.
As global engagement in Africa increases, Modi said, "We must all work together to ensure that Africa does not once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions, but becomes a nursery for the aspirations of Africa's youth."
Africa is the world's second largest and second most-populous continent. In the late 19th century, European countries colonised almost all of Africa.
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