The 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit began on Monday with senior officers-level meeting, essentially to finalise the outcome documents of the Summit and prepare a base for discussions of Foreign Ministers meeting scheduledfor Tuesday.
The officials went through the two documents — one on development partnership outcome, and second on the political declaration — and held elaborate discussions to prepare the roadmap for India-Africa partnership. Since, the African union has to first come on a common platform among themselves first, the large part of the day was spent on arriving on a consensus on crucial issues.
India is seeking co-operation in trade, counter-terror measures and development activities with its African counterparts. “There are numerous development models that India can offer to Africa and several areas where India can join hands with African nations. Co-operation on terrorism is primary goal of India’s foreign policy and this will be discussed adequately in the meetings,” said Syed Akbaruddin, Additional Secretary in India-Africa Forum Summit Secretariat.
While India has deep interest in the resources in Africa, it has extended financial aid to several countries. From scholarships to making schools and providing medicines and equipments to hospitals in Africa, India has been engaging with the African continent in several aspects. “We also stand to engage with the human resource in Africa,” Akbaruddin added.
The Summit is witnessing a record attendance of all 54 countries. In fact, the two kings of kingdoms of Morocco and Swaziland have already arrived in India. More top leaders are expected to participate in the event, aims at engaging India and Africa in a focused way.