India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced US$600mn in assistance for development projects in Africa at India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi
More than 50 African leaders are attending the summit in the Indian capital.
According to BBC, although India’s trade with Africa has more than doubled to US$72bn since 2007, it is still comparatively small.
The meeting is being seen as an attempt by India to improve ties with Africa.
A record number of African leaders including South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, President Sisi of Egypt and Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir are attending the summit — part of India’s big push to increase its presence in Africa.
Reports say the summit represents the highest number of foreign dignitaries to descend on India since 1983 and is thought to be the biggest ever overseas gathering of African leaders.
Welcoming them, Mr Modi described India and Africa as the “two bright spots of hope in the global economy”.
The meeting is being seen as an attempt by India to improve its ties to Africa
“The hearts of 1.25bn Indians and 1.25bn Africans are in rhythm. We are united by youth — two thirds of India and Africa are below 35. And, if the future belongs to the youth, then this century is ours to shape and build,” Modi added.
India is interested in Africa’s natural resource while African countries want to benefit from Indian expertise in high-tech sectors such as IT and mobile phones.
