Noting that India’s primary aim is to support its African partners in their efforts to accelerate the momentum of their development, Modi said the summit will also address key challenges of present times including food, health and environmental security.
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“I think it is this partnership and this equality that is being given to all the countries, ” he added.
“There are approximately 20 spouses accompanying the (African countries’) leaders here”, Syed Akbaruddin, additional secretary in the external affairs ministry and the IAFS chief coordinator, said at a media briefing.
President Mugabe is expected to be among the 40 Heads of State and Government at the summit.
Froman will meet Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for ninth ministerial-level meeting of the US-India Trade Policy Forum on October 29.
“The summit, which follows the 2nd summit held in Addis Ababa in 2011, will enable the leaders to deliberate on further cooperation for the alleviation of poverty, and the eradication of hunger, disease and illiteracy”. 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.
Already in India is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi who arrived yesterday and is attending several meetings ahead of the main summit. The summit meeting will be held on October 29, in which heads of states and governments will participate.
India’s interests in Africa are economic, political and strategic.
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.
Mr Modi spoke of the close links between Africa and India, especially his home state of Gujarat.
“Around 27 lakh Indians are living in Africa”.
“They (global bodies) must become more democratic, inclusive and representative of our world”. “Africa represents the youngest region in the world and India too is the youngest country”.
However, sources said there will be a statement – in the political document – in which India and Africa express commitment to multi-lateralism and strengthening of the democratic structure of the United Nations to increase participation of developing counties in the decision-making processes.
“India is the fastest-growing major economy”. He said India has given concessional credit to the tune of $7.4 billion.
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“We stand for human resources in Africa. 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 any other country”, he said.
