The visit gives an opportunity to India to focus on issues of common interest and concerns with Africa at the bilateral, regional and global level. It also indicates on India’s interest to have a sustained partnership for mutual growth and development.
India enjoys a unique set of advantages with the countries of African continent as they share strong historical link and the presence of diaspora which act as tools of fruitful engagement.
The present government has been targeting an aggressive expansion in Africa to keep up India’s engagement and to expand its footprints across the resource rich continent. The growing Chinese influence has also triggered India’s aggressive expansion in the African continent - continent of great potential.
Assessment
India recognises that Africa and Indian Ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. The key aspects of India- Africa development partnership are centered on capacity building, trade and investments, infrastructure development, social development, agriculture and environment.
Enhancing trade and investment linkages remain one of the key focuses. The recent visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia accounted for a new impetus to the vibrant India-Africa relationship. It was recognized by both the sides that the leaders need to meet at regular intervals for the larger Indo- Africa engagement in contemporary world order.
Q. India recognises that Africa and Indian Ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit. Comment
14TH INDIA-EU Summits
The President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Franciszek Tusk and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker paid a working visit to New Delhi from 5- 7 October, 2017 to hold the 14th India-EU Summit.
