A fashion show has also been scheduled for the African guests that will include the handlooms of Varanasi which also happens to be Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary constituency.
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“We will also reinforce our partnership on the global platform and deepen our security cooperation, including on maritime security, countering terrorism”, he said.
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India and Africa will set substantial targets towards development partnership.
“This summit will be a gathering of every country in Africa, the African Union and India, which is unprecedented in the annals of any summit between Africa and another country”, Syed Akbaruddin, Chief Coordinator of the Summit, told newspersons on Monday.
On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a host of bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Africa where she pitched for permanent seat to India in the UNSC. Heavy security has been put in place by the Delhi police ahead of the four-day summit.
China-Africa trade exceeded $220 billion in 2014, a 22-fold increase from 2000, and China overtook the U.S.as Africa’s largest trading partner in 2009.
Stressing India is a friend of Africa, Zowide said: “India and Africa will will discuss sustainable development in this summit”.
Around 40 heads of state of 54 African nations participating in the event are at risk from what intelligence inputs claim could come-off lone wolf attacks targeting diplomats and politicians. India-Africa trade already exceeds $70 billion annually. Leaders of 54 African countries and Unions have been invited to the summit. 270,000 Indians live in Africa and 25,000 African students attended Indian training.
A report in The Times of India has suggested that both extremist organisations, Boko Haram and Islamic State may be attempting to disrupt the third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS).
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Although India’s headline economic growth has overtaken China’s, its economy is one-fifth the size and it lacks the financial heft to challenge Beijing in a head-to-head contest for the African market. “Traffic flow in Lutyens’ zone, central Delhi, Mathura Road, Rajghat, ITO and areas around India Gate is expected to be disrupted for the next few days in view of frequent VVIP route arrangements in connection with the India-Africa summit starting tomorrow”.
