Enhancing trade ties, particularly in oil and gas sector, stepping up maritime cooperation and lifting the overall engagement to a new high will be the main agenda of the upcoming India-Africa summit, seen as India's effort to counter-balance growing Chinese influence in the continent.
Representatives of 54 African nations including heads of state and government of around 40 countries and powerful African Union are expected to participate in the four-day Summit beginning October 26.
Asked whether India was concerned over growing Chinese influence in Africa, Secretary (West) Navtej Sarna in the Ministry of External Affairs said it has an independent approach towards the continent and was not bothered by activities of any other country.
At the same time, he asserted that a "prescriptive and exploitative" approach was against "our grain" and added that India has been making concerted efforts to increase its presence in Africa.
India's current trade with Africa is around USD 75 billion dollar and it has granted a whopping USD 7.4 billion for various developmental and capacity building projects in the last four years. India has implemented a total of 137 projects in 41 African countries during the period.
Expanding trade ties will be a major focus area at the summit which will see participation of over 400 business delegates from Africa besides all major Indian chambers of commerce.
A large number of African countries including Tanzania, Sudan, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda have huge oil and gas reserves and India wants to invest in the sector to fuel its economic growth. Having a solid partnership in exploiting the blue economy will be another major focus area.
There will be deliberations on expanding ties in areas of energy, health care, infrastructure, technology and innovation.
Sarna said Africa has a very long coastline, which India will be keen to help the continent secure. He said discussions will also be held on expanding cooperation in counter- terrorism measures when a number of African countries are grappling with terror, particularly against Islamist militants Boko Haram.
The United Arab Emirates, Singapore, UN coordinator for Africa and UN Global Head for HIV prevention are the special invitees to the summit.
