May 23, 2011 8:50 AM

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PM leaves for six-day visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania on Monday

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh leaves New Delhi tomorrow on a six day visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania. On the first leg of his tour, Dr Singh will be in Addis Ababa, where he will co-chair the Second Africa -India Summit with the President of Equatorial Guinea Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Heads of Government and leaders from Algeria, Burundi, Chad, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Namibia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Swaziland are likely to participate in the summit. Enhancing trade ties, serious threats posed by terrorism and piracy will be high on the agenda of Prime Minister during his talks with African leaders. AIR correspondent reports that the Summit is expected to come out with the Addis Ababa Declaration setting out the roadmap for further consolidating the strategic partnership between India and the African Union. An Africa-India Framework for Enhanced Cooperation is also likely to be firmed up at the Summit. Dr Manmohan Singh will also hold discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart Mr. Meles Zenawi and will address Ethiopian Parliament. Later, the Prime Minister travels to Tanzania, and will hold bilateral talks with President Jakaya Kitwete. Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit assumes significance as it is the first Indian high level visit to the East African Nation since September 1997. India is the second largest investor in Tanzania with investments totaling 1.3 billion dollars. India has been a key partner in the development of Tanzania. Infrastructure development, education and capacity building will be in focus during talks between the two leaders. India and Tanzania are engaged in actively pursuing a mutually beneficial commercial and economic partnership, as part of a wide ranging relationship.

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