India-Africa Summit

·         On April 9, 2008 Delhi Declaration adopted at the two-day summit, attended by heads of states of 14 African nations, chosen by 54-nation African Union, noted "active and constructive" engagement of both sides in the process of UN reform

·         India and Africa declared that they are going to support each other for a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council.

·         On April 8, 2008 leaders from 14 African countries, including 10 heads of state, began the first India-Africa Summit that seeks to forge a more contemporary partnership in key areas of trade and energy.

• India and Africa  are also keen to work closely on important global issues like the proposed reform to the United Nations, fight against terrorism and global warming.

·         India would provide more than $500m for projects in Africa

·         India is increasingly interested in Africa, as it looks for new sources of energy.

·         India has traded with Africa for centuries. It has strongly supported independence movements in several African nations and Mahatma Gandhi's famous civil disobedience movement against British colonial rule began in South Africa.

·         Now it wants to cash in on the goodwill.

·         Although trade between India and Africa has increased to $30bn a year, it is still almost half that of China's.

·         Recently, Delhi has lost a number of lucrative oil exploration contracts in Africa to Beijing.