By IANS,
Addis Ababa: The 53-nation African Union (AU) has assured India that it will work closely with New Delhi to ensure the success of the second India-Africa Forum summit here in May.
Top officials of India and the AU met in the Ethiopian capital, the headquarters of the AU, last week and discussed the preparations and agenda for the second India-Africa Forum summit that will be held May 24-25.
Vivek Katju, secretary in India’s ministry of external affairs and the seniormost Indian official in charge of Africa, met Jean Ping, the AU chairperson, and other senior officials.
Th AU leader assured Katju that the organisation will work closely with the Indian government to ensure the success of the summit with a view to enhancing the partnership between both parties within the context of the Africa-India framework for enhanced cooperation, the AU said in a statement.
Katju told Ping that India looked forward to welcoming him during his visit to India later this month for the India-Africa business conclave.
Katju also met Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who also assured him that Ethiopia would do everything it can to provide logistical support for the summit.
Katju was accompanied by Gurjit Singh, joint secretary in charge of East and South Africa in India’s foreign office.
India hosted the maiden forum summit with leaders of the African Union in April 2008 that culminated in an ambitious Delhi Declaration that outlined key areas to invigorate partnership between India and Africa.