India has assured all possible assistance to 11 African countries, which have sought help in development projects besides in the field of capacity building for their defence forces. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held meeting in New Delhi Wednesday with the leaders from the African countries — Togo, Sierra Leone, Congo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Liberia, Guinea, Sudan and Senegal– besides Chairperson of African Union Council. <br/><br/>During the meeting, Mrs Swaraj also raised the issue of five Indians languishing in Togo on alleged piracy charges since July 2013. The Togo Foreign Minister assured Mrs. Swaraj that they would look into various possibilities, which would involve either early conclusion of the case or a possible Presidential pardon.<br/><br/>Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, the three countries hit most by the Ebola outbreak, thanked India for assistance both bilaterally and through the UN. MEA Joint Secretary (West Africa) Sanjeev Kohli said India had extended 12.65 million US dollar assistance to fight the deadly disease.<br/><br/>Namibia thanked India for assistance in capacity building through various training initiatives and scholarships.<br/><br/>Apart from various ongoing developmental projects, the Foreign Minister of Niger briefed Mrs Swaraj on the threats to the region from various militant groups, particularly the Boko Haram. The Minister sought Indian assistance in capacity building for their defence forces. Mr Kohli said India has responded positively and New Delhi will look at their specific requirements.