India Participated in 15th Summit of the African Union

On 26 July 2010, a Indian delegation led by Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, participated in the Executive Council Session of the 15th Summit of the African Union held in Kampala, Uganda. During the summit various aspects of the continuing engagement with Africa and the follow up of the decisions of the India- Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) of April 2008 were discussed. Vivek Katju also interacted with foreign ministers of several African countries including Uganda, Malawi and Mauritius etc. The Indian delegation also discussed the issue of UN reforms and the common African position towards that with the Committee of 10 of the African Union.

The Action Plan of the Framework of Cooperation of the IAFS was announced in March2010 and the decisions being implemented under this Framework are as following:

1. The placement of the first batch of 75 officers under the special scheme for Agricultural Sciences in the Institutions of ICAR
2. The initiation of the CV Raman fellowships for Scientific Research
3. The implementation of several new training programmes, including the holding of capacity building courses by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in 9 African countries so far.

• At present, the chair of the African Union is Malawi. The next chair of the African Union will be Equatorial Guinea.
• The theme of the 15th summit of the African Union was; “Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development in Africa”.

India’s participation in the executive council session of the 15th African Union Summit indicates the growing importance of African continent for India. Africa is rich in mineral resources like Uranium and diamond which India needs for its energy programme and industry respectively. Besides, support of African continent is crucial for India’s bid for permanent membership in UN Security Council.