(May 23, Addis Ababa | Agency: DNA) -The maiden visit by an Indian prime minister to the second largest African nation Ethiopia emphasises India’s keenness to arrive on the African business-political scene.
Though much delayed, it is also perceived as India’s pitch to strengthen ties with Africa which is seeing an increased Chinese business activity and thus their growing influence.
Giving a red carpet welcome to Manmohan Singh as he arrived at the Bole airport on Monday afternoon, was the Ethiopian deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
In the first of the two-leg tour spread over six days, the PM will be addressing the second Africa India Forum Summit (AIFS) on Tuesday.
However, the bilateral talks between India and Ethiopia will start on Monday evening when Singh meets his counterpart Meles Zenawi.
This will be followed by talks with the African Union Commission chairperson Dr Jean Ping and later with the president Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equitorial Guniea.
“The Second Africa-India Forum Summit will 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 theme of the Summit is ‘Enhancing Partnership: Shared Vision”, the PM stated on the eve of his departure.
On the last day of his visit to Ethiopia the prime minister will address the joint session of the Ethiopian parliament. He will then pay a bilateral visit to Tanzania for two days in the second leg of his tour.
Nearly 100 Indian companies are showcasing, their products and services at a trade fair organised in the Ethiopian capital, to mark the Summit.
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| PM Manmohan Singh with his Ethiopian counterpart Meles Zenawi |
Giving a red carpet welcome to Manmohan Singh as he arrived at the Bole airport on Monday afternoon, was the Ethiopian deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
In the first of the two-leg tour spread over six days, the PM will be addressing the second Africa India Forum Summit (AIFS) on Tuesday.
However, the bilateral talks between India and Ethiopia will start on Monday evening when Singh meets his counterpart Meles Zenawi.
This will be followed by talks with the African Union Commission chairperson Dr Jean Ping and later with the president Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equitorial Guniea.
“The Second Africa-India Forum Summit will 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 theme of the Summit is ‘Enhancing Partnership: Shared Vision”, the PM stated on the eve of his departure.
On the last day of his visit to Ethiopia the prime minister will address the joint session of the Ethiopian parliament. He will then pay a bilateral visit to Tanzania for two days in the second leg of his tour.
Nearly 100 Indian companies are showcasing, their products and services at a trade fair organised in the Ethiopian capital, to mark the Summit.
Source: dnaindia.
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