The Foreign Minister's meeting between India and African countries will take place today in New Delhi, ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit, IAFS, which is to be held on Thursday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed media persons yesterday evening that the Foreign Minister's will be finalizing the agenda of the summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the summit on Thursday. Mr Swarup said, Heads of State and Representatives of all African countries are attending the IAFS.<br/><br/>India is negotiating two documents with the African countries participating in the Summit. The first document is on political partnership and the other on framework document on developmental cooperation. Senior officials of India and 54 countries of the African continent and African Union met yesterday. India was represented by Secretary West in the External Affairs Ministry Navtej Sarna.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Additional Secretary in the Ministry Sayed Akbaruddin said that the Summit will be gathering of representatives of every country in Africa which is unprecedented in the history of any Summit between Africa and any other country. He said the Kings of Morocco and Swaziland have already arrived in New Delhi to attend the Summit.<br/><br/>In reply to a question on access to affordable medicine by African countries, Mr. Akbaruddin said more than 80 per cent of HIV retro-viral drugs are sourced from India. He said UNAIDS is keen to organise meetings for visiting African leaders with Pharma Companies and medical hospital for a long term arrangement.
News On AIR | October 27, 2015 7:37 AM
Foreign Minister's meet between India & African countries today to finalise agenda of summit