Africa a frontier of new opportunities: Sushma

Describing Africa as a frontier of "new opportunities", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said India was committed to the continent's economic growth and its integration with global economy as the landmark India-Africa summit kicks off here tomorrow.
"India considers Africa as a part of its extended neighbourhood. Our partnership with Africa is unique and dates back to our civilizational contacts through ancient seafarers, traders, intellectuals and monks," she said inaugurating a rose garden dedicated to India-Africa friendship in the national capital's diplomatic enclave.
"Today as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, India is attaching the utmost importance to its economic engagement with the African countries," the External Affairs Minister said.

Underlining substantial trade and investments, she termed Africa as a frontier of "new opportunities", adding "we are interested in Africa's economic growth and its integration with global economy."
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, she said "the African continent and India are tied together in varied ways. Of them, one is the philosophy of Gandhi and Mandela. Both led their respective nations to freedom through their humanitarian principles and philosophy."
Quoting Mandela's words "India is the Mahatma's country of birth; South Africa is his country of adoption", she said the great South African leader acknowledged his achievements to the influence of Gandhi's ideals and principles on his movement, career, and life.