India avoids comparison with China on eve of Africa summit

Indian leaders steered clear of criticism that the organisation of the high-level first-ever Africa summit in India was just New Delhi's belated reaction to counter the economic influence of China in Africa.

Eight heads of state and governments from the continent arrived here for the summit beginning on Tuesday.

"India and Africa are partners in a relationship where neither is looking at gains nor are we seeking to compete with anyone," Anand Sharma, Minister of state for external affairs, said today.

In all, 14 African countries selected by the African Union (AU) are participating in the summit, which seeks to redefine India's relations with Africa in the light of China's rising presence in the continent. China had taken lead by hosting a summit of all African countries last year where Beijing had pledged huge aid to them.

For India's Africa summit, the presidents of Algeria and Kenya dropped their plans to visit New Delhi at the last minute due to domestic compulsions, an official spokesperson said.

However, the presence of Presidents "" Joseph Kabila Kabange, (Democratic Republic of Congo), John Agyekum Kufuor (Ghana), Maitre Sbdoulaye Wade, (Senegal), Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki (south Africa), Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (Tanzania) and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Uganda) "" would give a high profile to the summit.

Besides, Prime Ministers Tertius Zongo (Burkina Faso) and Meles Zenwal (Ethiopia) are representing their countries at the summit.

New Delhi's efforts are focused on invoking the historical links with Africa while seeking to draw a clear line between the "partnership-driven" Indian approach as against the "business and trade-oriented" Chinese engagement with the Africans.

"Even our private companies are working on ethical lines in Africa," Sharma said. He said each Indian company investing in Africa was engaging four-fifths of locals, thereby generating jobs and economic opportunities.

External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, who addressed a meeting of foreign minister from 14 participating countries, today said New Delhi was looking forward to political cooperation as well as economic engagement with African countries.

Sharma also emphasised that the two-way trade between India and African countries had touched $30 billion, besides huge investments made by the Indian companies. The Chinese, however, are way ahead with nearly double of India's trade with Africa.

The Delhi summit will end with a political declaration and also an Africa-India framework for cooperation.