New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday left on a six-day visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania during which he will discuss ways to effectively combat the twin threats of terrorism and piracy.
Singh, who will first head for Addis Ababa, the seat of the African Union, for the Second Africa-India Forum Summit to be attended by 15 African countries, is also expected to make a strong pitch for UN reforms.
In a statement prior to his departure, Dr Singh said the second Africa-India Forum Summit would be a landmark event that will for the first time bring together a large gathering of African leaders to meet with India on African soil.
"The first India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in 2008 opened a new chapter in the history of India-Africa partnership and laid the framework for our revitalized engagement with the African continent," he added.
"The India-Africa partnership rests on three pillars of capacity building and skill transfer, trade and infrastructure development. It is designed to respond to the needs and priorities of Africa and for India to learn from Africa's rich experience. It is based on equality, mutual trust and a consultative and transparent approach. It is a living embodiment of South-South cooperation," he said
"Today, both Africa and India are on the move. Africa is emerging as a new growth pole of the world, while India is on a path of sustained and rapid economic development," he added.
He said that relations between India and Africa are marked by strong people-to-people interaction and a deep sense of solidarity and goodwill.
"Both Africa and India have the advantage of a youthful population, commitment to democracy, pluralism and spirit of entrepreneurship. The large population of people of Indian origin in all parts of Africa is a living testimony to our historical links," Dr. Singh said.
"These are compelling factors for a strong and purposeful partnership between India and Africa that responds to the realities of the 21st Century," he added.
The Prime Minister further said that during his stay in Ethiopia, he would also hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
"India and Ethiopia enjoy close and special relations. Addis Ababa has become the diplomatic capital of Africa and Ethiopia is an influential member of the world community. I will review with Prime Minister Zenawi ways to further expand and deepen our cooperation. I look forward to addressing a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament," Dr. Singh said.
About his official visit to Tanzania, Dr. Singh highlighted that India and Tanzania have been neighbours across the Indian Ocean and have excellent political and economic relations.
"Our cooperation has expanded in recent years in diverse sectors. We wish to enhance the substance of this partnership in consonance with the developmental priorities of Tanzania. I look forward to my discussions with President Jakaya Kikwete to this end," he added. (ANI)
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