(a) the details of the agreements signed with African countries during
the last three years;
(b) the names of African countries with which the Government is planning
to strengthen its relations in future; and
(c) the steps the Government proposes to take to strengthen the political,
economic and diplomatic relations with these countries?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR)
(a) A list of agreements signed with African countries in the last three
years is annexed.
(b) & (c) Government accords great priority to build on India’s historical
and multidimensional relationship with Africa. For this purpose various policies
and mechanisms have been put in place, including high level visits, Foreign Office
Consultations, Joint Commission Meetings, extending lines of credit for development
projects and grant in aid in the field of Health, Human Resource Development,
Information Technology, Disaster Relief. India hosted the first ever India-Africa
Forum Summit (IAFS) in April, 2008 at New Delhi which built upon the foundations
of the historical relationship that exists between India and Africa, and designed
a new architecture for a structured engagement and cooperation between India and
Africa in the 21st century. During the summit, India has inter-alia committed
additional lines of credit amounting to US $ 5.4 billion and grants amounting to
US $ 500 million to Africa over the period 2009-2013. The next India-Africa Forum
Summit is proposed to be held in Africa this year which is a step forward in further
strengthening of India-Africa relations.