Mali, the west African nation roiled by turmoil as Malian and French forces battle Al Qaeda-backed Islamist militants, is expected to be a major issue for discussion during the bilateral talks to be held during French President Francois Hollande’s India visit later this week.
Having launched a military operation against the Islamist extremists in early January, France is appears quite pleased with the strong support it has got from India for this.
India, in turn, is happy too as it says that the French have kept New Delhi informed about their initiative in Mali.
Diplomatic sources acknowledged India’s positive role in assisting the French by taking note of the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution India co-sponsored with the French.
The resolution, UNSCR 2085, authorised the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA).
New Delhi’s co-sponsoring of the UNSC resolution on Mali was in sharp contrast to its stand on Syria and Libya where it was opposed to foreign intervention and even abstain vided to Mali by India.
Speaking at the Donors Conference for the African-led AFISMA and the Mali Defence and Security Forces (MDSF) in Addis Ababa, Indian ambassador Bhagwant Bishnoi voiced India’s “full support” to the security forces. He also announced a contribution of $1million for AFISMA and MDSF. The diplomat said that India would implement its $100 million line of credit to Mali once the situation stabilises. This was followed by India reiterating its support for the “efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order in Mali and re-establishing a fully democratic government” at a meeting of the support and follow-up group on Mali in Brussels on February 5. At this meet, India also said that “the fight against the scourge of terrorism must be unrelenting”.