India may ramp up development aid for Africa | India News
New Delhi: India’s economic and development cooperation with Africa – including key areas like agriculture, health, defence, technology and people-to-people connectivity – is set to get a major boost after a gap of 11 years, with the government hosting the fourth India-Africa summit later this month. Although the summit was delayed due to the pandemic, official sources said there has been no shortage of engagement between India and Africa in the last 10 years, with around 50 high-level visits from India to Africa and around 100 visits from the continent to India during this period.According to sources, the government is expected to announce major initiatives to increase development assistance for Africa at the summit, which is expected to be attended by more than 40 heads of state/government. At the last summit, India announced a $10 billion line of credit (LOC) concession for Africa, where China continues to expand its economic and strategic footprint.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced $600 million in grant aid for Africa, under which India has already fulfilled its pledge.
