By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh goes on a two-nation tour of Africa Sunday, beginning with a trip to Nigeria, Africa’s leading oil producer, and ending Oct 18 in South Africa where he will participate in the tri-nation IBSA summit.
The IBSA summit, scheduled for Oct 17, will provide Manmohan Singh a useful opportunity to garner the support of Brazil and South Africa, influential members of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, for global civil nuclear cooperation.
Manmohan Singh’s three-day trip to Nigeria, the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Africa’s most populous country in over four decades, will focus on expanding economic, energy and political ties with a country that is a leading player in the African Union and wields much influence in the continent.
India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had last visited Nigeria in 1962.
A substantive joint statement will be issued at the end of talks between Manmohan Singh and Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua, Secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry Nalin Surie told reporters while giving a preview of the prime minister’s forthcoming visits.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding, especially in energy and economy-related areas, will be signed during the prime minister’s visit to Nigeria.
Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa and accounts for 11 percent of its total oil imports. Bilateral trade is estimated to be $7.9 billion.
“The visit will strengthen our traditionally close partnership with Nigeria and lay down a roadmap for further development and diversification of our bilateral relations,” Surie said.
In a rare honour bestowed only on close friends of Nigeria, Manmohan Singh has been invited to address the joint session of the Nigerian parliament.
Manmohan Singh heads to Pretoria on the evening of Oct 16 to attend the second summit of IBSA, comprising India, Brazil and South Africa, the leading economies of Asia, Latin America and Africa.
The summit, to be held the next day, is aimed at expanding political and economic ties between the three emerging powers which are planning to increase trilateral trade to $10 billion by 2010.
A joint declaration will be issued at the end of the summit. Several pacts, including in human resources, culture, social development, health and medicines and higher education, are expected to be signed.
Manmohan Singh will also hold bilateral meetings with South African President Thabo Mbeki and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the IBSA summit.
Manmohan Singh wraps up his two-nation Africa trip Oct 18 and returns home the same day.