Africa has become the second-largest recipient of credit from India as the country is making efforts to catch up with China in growing its impact in the resource-rich continent, as per a new report.

42 African nations have till now received about $32 billion or 38% of all credit extended by India in the last decade, just a few percentage points below its neighbours, Harsha Bangari, the managing director of India’s Export-Import Bank said as per a Bloomberg report.

Bangari further said that the funding is an instrument of India's “economic diplomacy.” She then added that India has also opened up 195 project-based lines of credit worth about $12 billion across Africa, which is three times the number it has in its own region in the last decade.

“Africa has made good use of credit lines,” extended for projects that include health care, infrastructure, agriculture and irrigation and India is seeing a steady increase in demand, she said.

India, despite its recent efforts to engage with nations in Africa, the world's second-largest continent, has lagged behind its bigger and wealthier neighbours.

While China’s loans to Africa have plunged since 2016, overall in the 10 years to 2020, it promised $134.6 billion to African nations, as per data from Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center. That's almost 11 times more than what India has offered, according to Bloomberg reports.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/odisha-train-mishap-centre-compromised-on-safety-claims-congress-612293">Odisha train mishap: Centre compromised on safety, claims Congress</a>

<h2>Indian government's efforts to push for deeper ties with Africa</h2>

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has pushed for more significant engagement with the world's second-largest continent, Africa, encouraging both economic and diplomatic ties.

India is looking at the opportunity to expand deeper into the continent as Africa is currently dealing with the economic fallout of the Covid pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In the last nine years, 18 of the 25 new Indian embassies or consulates were in Africa. In February, India hosted 48 African countries at the Voice of Global South summit.&nbsp;

The Indian Prime Minister has also been advocating the country as a representative of the Global South and employing platforms like its presidency of the Group of 20 nations to draw attention to the debt crises in developing economies. &nbsp;

“We are trying to think 25 years from now,” India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in a speech on June 28.&nbsp;

“And ask ourselves where are we likely to be in 2047 and what should we be doing now to prepare for it,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Africa has become the second-largest recipient of credit from India as the country is making efforts to catch up with China in growing its impact in the resource-rich continent, as per a new report.

Africa has become the second-largest recipient of credit from India as the country is making efforts to catch up with China in growing its impact in the resource-rich continent, as per a new report. 42 African nations have till now received about $32 billion or 38% of all credit extended by India in the last decade, just a few percentage points below its neighbours, Harsha Bangari, the managing director of India’s Export-Import Bank said as per a Bloomberg report. Bangari further said that the funding is an instrument of India's “economic diplomacy.” She then added that India has also opened up 195 project-based lines of credit worth about $12 billion across Africa, which is three times the number it has in its own region in the last decade. “Africa has made good use of credit lines,” extended for projects that include health care, infrastructure, agriculture and irrigation and India is seeing a steady increase in demand, she said. India, despite its recent efforts to engage with nations in Africa, the world's second-largest continent, has lagged behind its bigger and wealthier neighbours. While China’s loans to Africa have plunged since 2016, overall in the 10 years to 2020, it promised $134.6 billion to African nations, as per data from Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center. That's almost 11 times more than what India has offered, according to Bloomberg reports. Also read: Odisha train mishap: Centre compromised on safety, claims Congress Indian government's efforts to push for deeper ties with Africa Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has pushed for more significant engagement with the world's second-largest continent, Africa, encouraging both economic and diplomatic ties. India is looking at the opportunity to expand deeper into the continent as Africa is currently dealing with the economic fallout of the Covid pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine. In the last nine years, 18 of the 25 new Indian embassies or consulates were in Africa. In February, India hosted 48 African countries at the Voice of Global South summit. The Indian Prime Minister has also been advocating the country as a representative of the Global South and employing platforms like its presidency of the Group of 20 nations to draw attention to the debt crises in developing economies. “We are trying to think 25 years from now,” India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in a speech on June 28. “And ask ourselves where are we likely to be in 2047 and what should we be doing now to prepare for it,” he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India boosts Africa lending to counter China in expanding its influence in world’s second-largest continent

Tit-for-tat expulsions and appointments in both factions of the India's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) marked the beginning of a bitter battle for control of the party between Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle and party patriarch Sharad Pawar on Monday as the stage of the confrontation shifted from the government to the party.

India: Rival camps spar, who controls NCP | Ajit Pawar

The National Smart City Mission was launched by the government of India in 2015 to develop a hundred 'smart' cities. But is India ready in 2023? Here's a report card of the 8 years that have gone by.

India's Smart City Project: Here's a report card of the past 8 years

India: Ajit Pawar's rebellion sparks a bitter Pawar vs Pawar fight for NCP

All of the human activities each year, collectively put more than 40 billion tones of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We all know that the global demand for energy is increasing and the challenge today we are facing is to meet the demand while reducing our carbon footprint, carbon removal now needs to be thought of as plan a when it comes to climate change..

Carbon capture & storage: Sustainable development in the future

India is hosting the virtual Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization today. The summit of the SCO Council of heads of state will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Pakistan prime minister Shahbaz Sharif.

SCO Summit 2023: 'Secure SCO' theme of the Summit, Putin, Xi and Sharif attend virtually

Putin, Xi and Sharif to attend SCO summit hosted by Indian PM Narendra Modi

The Shanghai Cooperation organisation is an intergovernmental organization founded in shanghai on 15 June 2001. Since its inception, the SCO has mainly focused on regional security issues and the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism. The priorities of the grouping also include regional development. The SCO has been an observer in the united nations general assembly since 2005.

India hosts SCO meet; Putin's first summit since Wagner rebellion | Iran set to join grouping

In his first appearance before a major International Forum since the Wagner Mutiny at home, Russian President Vladimir Putin came down heavily on Western sanctions on Moscow. The Russian President addressed a virtual Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. the meeting was hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Virtual Summit chaired by Indian PM Modi as Putin, Xi, Sharif attend virtually

Here, we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: India hosted the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chairperson. The summit is attended by leaders such as Putin and Xi Jinping with the theme of "Secure SCO".

India hosts virtual SCO Summit 2023 | Israeli military operation in West Bank

Indian equity benchmarks have been on fire, with the BSE Sensex skyrocketing in recent months. It closed at a new life high of 65,000 points on Monday. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: India's Sensex scales a new high

Violence between members of Manipur's Kuki ethnic group, who mostly live in the hills, and Meiteis, the dominant community in the lowlands, erupted on may 3. Over 100 people have died. Both communities continue to accuse each other of atrocities. The internet has been snapped in the state since the first week of may. The Meitei community accounts for 53% of Manipur's population, but is confined to about 10% of the state's territory. They claim they are facing problems because of large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis. The hill districts that account for much of the Indian state’s land mass are inhabited mostly by tribals. The Nagas, Kukis and other tribes are protected from encroachment by various laws. The Meitei community says it is seeking the same protections to safeguard lands.

India's Manipur state on the boil, Internet has been snapped since first week of May | Details

India's foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi said that Russia's enhanced volume of trade with Asian economies is because of the Ukraine conflict as the Western countries began closing their trade routes to Russia after that. Jaishankar also informed reporters in a separate comment that New Delhi has requested partner countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia not to give space to the Khalistani separatists.

India requests partner nations on extremism; Not good for our relations: Jaishankar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's spiritual visit to Nepal Accord spiritual sentiments in his address where he said the Devotion to Lord Buddha binds the two countries as part of one family the construction of Buddhism Center comes after several countries including the United States and China built centers in Lumbini to promote Buddhists philosophy.

Nepal, India sign MoU for India's International Buddhism Centre in Lumbini

A remarkable discovery has taken place in Kolkata, as a 44-foot-long Japanese-style handscroll, painted by the renowned Indian blind artist, Benodebehari Mukherjee nearly a century ago, has resurfaced and made its debut in the city of his birth.

Mukherjee, born in 1904, was blind in one eye and severely myopic in the other, eventually losing his sight completely at the age of 53.

Despite this, he left an indelible mark as a painter, sculptor, and muralist, and became a defining figure in 20th Century Indian modern art, reported the BBC.

<h2>Everything about the scroll</h2>

This captivating handscroll, measuring a mere six inches in width, bears the title "Scenes from Santiniketan" and is the longest scroll ever created by the artist.

In July, it will embark on a journey to Santiniketan, the prestigious university town founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore a century ago, where Mukherjee himself had studied and later taught.

The scroll, which changed hands multiple times before finding its way to Kolkata, is now proudly on display, offering a glimpse into Mukherjee's artistic vision and the landscapes of Santiniketan.

At the age of 20, Mukherjee skillfully crafted this captivating scroll using ink and watercolours on meticulously layered sheets of paper.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/more-lifting-power-for-indian-rockets-isro-test-fires-indias-most-powerful-rocket-engine-611153">More lifting-power for Indian rockets, ISRO test fires India's most powerful rocket engine</a>

The scroll's initial frame features a figure sitting under a tree, believed to represent the artist himself, taking viewers on a journey through the enchanting Santiniketan.

As one moves from right to left along the scroll, a captivating voyage unfolds, depicting a passage through time and space. Mukherjee's masterful brushstrokes transport the viewer into a forest of sal trees, with the colors transitioning from black ink to touches of green that mirror the changing seasons.

The scroll comes alive with 22 human figures, 22 cattle, three chickens, one dog, and one bird. Mukherjee skillfully utilises stretches of emptiness to depict the vastness of land and sky.

Within the scroll, one can sense the artist's solitude and a subtle expression of isolation, depicting a state of his life without self-pity or bitterness, as noted by leading art historian Siva Kumar.&nbsp;

Prior to this astounding discovery, Mukherjee's longest-known work was a depiction of the khoai, a laterite soil terrain near Santiniketan, measuring just over 10 feet in length.

Notably, Mukherjee's teacher at Santiniketan was the esteemed artist Nandalal Bose, who headed the art school known as Kala Bhavan. Bose had initially expressed concern about Mukherjee's visual impairment to Tagore, but the poet and philosopher replied, "Is he sincere? Is he interested? Then let him be."

Mukherjee's fascination with the scroll format may have been influenced by Tagore and Bose, who had returned from their visit to Japan with prints of handscrolls. The scroll format offered unique possibilities, allowing the passage of&nbsp;time to be depicted in a fluid and dynamic manner.

Also watch |&nbsp;Parliamentary committee meeting on Uniform Civil Code sparks debate in India

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/parliamentary-committee-meeting-on-uniform-civil-code-sparks-debate-in-india-611213/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Where did the scroll disappear?</h2>

After being acquired by Rakesh Sahni, the owner of Gallery Rasa in Kolkata, the handscroll finally resurfaced in 2017 from a collector. However, due to the unforeseen challenges posed by the pandemic, its public exhibition was delayed by three years.

Alongside the unveiling of this remarkable handscroll, the Kolkata exhibition also features reproductions of Mukherjee's other notable scrolls, including "The Khoai," "Village Scenes," and "Scenes in Jungle." Notably, "Scenes in Jungle" is painted on the semi-circular pith of a banana tree and is currently housed in the prestigious Victoria &amp; Albert Museum in London.

&nbsp;

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A remarkable discovery has taken place in Kolkata, as a 44-foot-long Japanese-style handscroll, painted by the renowned Indian blind artist, Benodebehari Mukherjee nearly a century ago, has resurfaced and made its debut in the city of his birth.

A remarkable discovery has taken place in Kolkata, as a 44-foot-long Japanese-style handscroll, painted by the renowned Indian blind artist, Benodebehari Mukherjee nearly a century ago, has resurfaced and made its debut in the city of his birth. Mukherjee, born in 1904, was blind in one eye and severely myopic in the other, eventually losing his sight completely at the age of 53. Despite this, he left an indelible mark as a painter, sculptor, and muralist, and became a defining figure in 20th Century Indian modern art, reported the BBC. Everything about the scroll This captivating handscroll, measuring a mere six inches in width, bears the title "Scenes from Santiniketan" and is the longest scroll ever created by the artist. In July, it will embark on a journey to Santiniketan, the prestigious university town founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore a century ago, where Mukherjee himself had studied and later taught. The scroll, which changed hands multiple times before finding its way to Kolkata, is now proudly on display, offering a glimpse into Mukherjee's artistic vision and the landscapes of Santiniketan. At the age of 20, Mukherjee skillfully crafted this captivating scroll using ink and watercolours on meticulously layered sheets of paper. Also read | More lifting-power for Indian rockets, ISRO test fires India's most powerful rocket engine The scroll's initial frame features a figure sitting under a tree, believed to represent the artist himself, taking viewers on a journey through the enchanting Santiniketan. As one moves from right to left along the scroll, a captivating voyage unfolds, depicting a passage through time and space. Mukherjee's masterful brushstrokes transport the viewer into a forest of sal trees, with the colors transitioning from black ink to touches of green that mirror the changing seasons. The scroll comes alive with 22 human figures, 22 cattle, three chickens, one dog, and one bird. Mukherjee skillfully utilises stretches of emptiness to depict the vastness of land and sky. Within the scroll, one can sense the artist's solitude and a subtle expression of isolation, depicting a state of his life without self-pity or bitterness, as noted by leading art historian Siva Kumar. Prior to this astounding discovery, Mukherjee's longest-known work was a depiction of the khoai, a laterite soil terrain near Santiniketan, measuring just over 10 feet in length. Notably, Mukherjee's teacher at Santiniketan was the esteemed artist Nandalal Bose, who headed the art school known as Kala Bhavan. Bose had initially expressed concern about Mukherjee's visual impairment to Tagore, but the poet and philosopher replied, "Is he sincere? Is he interested? Then let him be." Mukherjee's fascination with the scroll format may have been influenced by Tagore and Bose, who had returned from their visit to Japan with prints of handscrolls. The scroll format offered unique possibilities, allowing the passage of time to be depicted in a fluid and dynamic manner. Also watch | Parliamentary committee meeting on Uniform Civil Code sparks debate in India Where did the scroll disappear? After being acquired by Rakesh Sahni, the owner of Gallery Rasa in Kolkata, the handscroll finally resurfaced in 2017 from a collector. However, due to the unforeseen challenges posed by the pandemic, its public exhibition was delayed by three years. Alongside the unveiling of this remarkable handscroll, the Kolkata exhibition also features reproductions of Mukherjee's other notable scrolls, including "The Khoai," "Village Scenes," and "Scenes in Jungle." Notably, "Scenes in Jungle" is painted on the semi-circular pith of a banana tree and is currently housed in the prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum in London. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Lost for a century: Blind Indian painter's scroll resurfaces after 100 years

India is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit tomorrow. The meeting will be held virtually as a key highlight will be the participation of Iran which has become the newest member of the eight-member group. Also, Vladimir Putin is expected to address a multilateral summit for the first time since the Wagner Mutiny last month.

Putin to address SCO for the first time since armed rebellion

In a&nbsp;case that has caught the attention of medical professionals, a newborn baby was transferred to a tertiary neonatal hospital in Ahmedabad, India, in a bid to save the child's life. Initially presumed to be a case of asphyxiation at birth, the child's symptoms proved to be atypical, according to a report by the Times of India. Upon further investigation, medical reports unveiled a startling revelation – the child's critical condition was a result of extremely high levels of nicotine found in the bloodstream.

Doctors investigating the case determined that the abnormally high nicotine levels in the child were directly linked to the mother's alleged addiction to chewing tobacco.

The child was born with an alarming 60 ng/ml nicotine level, which surpassed the permissible levels for adults by a staggering 3000 per cent. Dr Ashish Mehta, a senior neonatologist, who spoke to the Times of India, emphasised that the child's condition did not align with a typical asphyxia case.

As the medical team delved into the child and mother's medical history, they discovered a crucial clue from the gynaecologist involved in the mother's care. It was revealed that the mother had a history of asthma, and she admitted to occasionally chewing tobacco. Further investigations uncovered that the mother consumed tobacco in various forms, such as sachets or raw, readily available at local pan shops.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lost-for-a-century-blind-indian-painters-scroll-resurfaces-after-100-years-611230">Lost for a century: Blind Indian painter's scroll resurfaces after 100 years</a>

<h2>Mother's tobacco addiction impacts child's condition</h2>

Shockingly, the mother confessed to consuming tobacco between 10 to 15 times a day, unknowingly exposing her unborn child to high nicotine levels through her bloodstream.

Toxicology screenings confirmed the presence of elevated nicotine levels in the infant's body, prompting doctors to recommend a natural flushing-out process.

In a revealing statement, the mother admitted to consuming tobacco since the age of 15, shedding light on the long-standing addiction that inadvertently affected her child's health.

After receiving treatment for five days, the infant began displaying signs of recovery and was subsequently discharged from the hospital.

Also watch |&nbsp;Parliamentary committee meeting on Uniform Civil Code sparks debate in India

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This extraordinary case serves as a reminder of the detrimental effects of tobacco addiction and highlights the unforeseen consequences it can have on the most vulnerable members of society.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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In a case that has caught the attention of medical professionals, a newborn baby was transferred to a tertiary neonatal hospital in Ahmedabad, India, in a bid to save the child's life.

In a case that has caught the attention of medical professionals, a newborn baby was transferred to a tertiary neonatal hospital in Ahmedabad, India, in a bid to save the child's life. Initially presumed to be a case of asphyxiation at birth, the child's symptoms proved to be atypical, according to a report by the Times of India. Upon further investigation, medical reports unveiled a startling revelation – the child's critical condition was a result of extremely high levels of nicotine found in the bloodstream. Doctors investigating the case determined that the abnormally high nicotine levels in the child were directly linked to the mother's alleged addiction to chewing tobacco. The child was born with an alarming 60 ng/ml nicotine level, which surpassed the permissible levels for adults by a staggering 3000 per cent. Dr Ashish Mehta, a senior neonatologist, who spoke to the Times of India, emphasised that the child's condition did not align with a typical asphyxia case. As the medical team delved into the child and mother's medical history, they discovered a crucial clue from the gynaecologist involved in the mother's care. It was revealed that the mother had a history of asthma, and she admitted to occasionally chewing tobacco. Further investigations uncovered that the mother consumed tobacco in various forms, such as sachets or raw, readily available at local pan shops. Also read | Lost for a century: Blind Indian painter's scroll resurfaces after 100 years Mother's tobacco addiction impacts child's condition Shockingly, the mother confessed to consuming tobacco between 10 to 15 times a day, unknowingly exposing her unborn child to high nicotine levels through her bloodstream. Toxicology screenings confirmed the presence of elevated nicotine levels in the infant's body, prompting doctors to recommend a natural flushing-out process. In a revealing statement, the mother admitted to consuming tobacco since the age of 15, shedding light on the long-standing addiction that inadvertently affected her child's health. After receiving treatment for five days, the infant began displaying signs of recovery and was subsequently discharged from the hospital. Also watch | Parliamentary committee meeting on Uniform Civil Code sparks debate in India This extraordinary case serves as a reminder of the detrimental effects of tobacco addiction and highlights the unforeseen consequences it can have on the most vulnerable members of society. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Newborn's nicotine nightmare: Mother's tobacco addiction proves fatal for baby, here's how

The political shift in the Indian state of Maharashtra has seen a dramatic twist with a top leader from the state's opposition party. The NCP became a part of the ruling Coalition led by the BJP along with other legislators. The move by the National Congress parties leader Ajit Pawar has now raised questions not only on the future of this party but also on the health of India's opposition as they prepare for next year's elections.

What's next for NCP and Ajit Pawar?

In the year 2020, the Indian and Chinese forces clashed in Galwan. The clash was followed by attacks facing each other around Pangong Tso a lake spanning Eastern Ladakh and Western Tibet. Now reports suggest hectic developments in the area with both sides ramping up infrastructure. Know more in this interview with the Director of India Foundation, Captain Ashok Bansal (Retd.).

India and China ramp up border infrastructure

In the year 2020, the Indian and Chinese forces clashed in Galwan. The clash was followed by attacks facing each other around Pangong Tso a lake spanning Eastern Ladakh and Western Tibet. Now reports suggest hectic developments in the area with both sides ramping up infrastructure.

Hectic activity in  Pangong Tso Lake area

The Sensex and Nifty indices have reached record highs, causing headlines around the world, as the Indian stock market continues its incredible uptrend. Let's dive into the specifics here to smash records and make headlines. The BSE Sensex has pushed beyond the incredible 65 000 Mark for the first time as it continues to achieve new milestones.

Sensex crosses 65,000 for the first time | India

The world's lightest fighter jet, the LCA Tejas, entered its eighth year of service on July 1, 2023, marking the completion of seven years of national duty for India.

India's LCA Tejas enters 8th year of service with the air force

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on July 2 joined hands with the NDA government in Maharashtra. He took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in presence of CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Fadnavis. Ajit Pawar reached Raj Bhavan after holding a meeting with NCP leaders at his residence.

India: NCP’s Ajit Pawar sworn in as deputy CM of Maharashtra in Eknath Shinde-led govt

With over 90 events held in 30 countries around the world, Red Bull Dance Your Style is a truly global event with a unique twist – the crowd is the judge. Dancers from various street dance styles compete in one-on-one battles to unpredictable mainstream tracks ranging from recent global hits to classic beats, and the crowd decides who will emerge winner through a unique voting mechanism.

Witness the ultimate dance battle, India's top dancers on one stage

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