India has extended 15 million dollars grant assistance to Niger in support of organizing of the African Union summit scheduled from 7th of next month in capital Niamey. <br />'' <br />'' The grant assistance was symbolically handed over by Ambassador of India to Niger Rajesh Agarwal to Deputy Foreign Minister of Niger Mrs. Lamido Ousseini Bala Goga Salamatou in the presence of Minister and Special Advisor to the President of Niger Mohammed Saidil Moctar at a ceremony held yesterday in Niamey.<br />'' <br />'' The External Affairs Ministry in a statement said, the support of grant assistance was in response to a specific request made by Government of Niger. Niger is hosting the AU Summit for the first time. The AU Summit in Niamey is also expected to launch the historic African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.<br />'' <br />'' India and Niger enjoy close relations. Bilateral relations have expanded significantly since the opening of the Indian Resident Diplomatic Mission in Niamey in 2009. India has provided Lines of Credit worth 96.54 million dollar to Niger for projects in transport, electrification, solar energy and potable drinking water. <br />'' <br />'' India is also establishing Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre, MGICC under grant assistance in Niamey. The Centre honours the memory of Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th birth anniversary is being observed in 2019. The Centre is likely to host some meetings associated with the forthcoming AU Summit. <br />'' <br />'' India's grant assistance for organizing the AU Summit will further contribute towards enhancing of bilateral ties. The grant assistance is also reiteration of India's firm commitment towards Africa.<br />