The India-Africa forum summit on October 29 is aimed at deepening the spirit of partnership, strengthening international solidarity and expanding cooperation. New Delhi feels that the Agenda-2063 document, which spells out Africa's vision over the next five decades, is closely aligned with Indian and African “development goals” and “international aspirations.” While the aim at the third India-Africa Forum Summit in Delhi is to set substantially higher and ambitious targets for development partnership between the two sides, it will also aimed at making it “more effective” drawing upon the experience over the past decade. The summit will address the key challenges facing Africa, which includes food, health and environmental security. India hopes to create conditions that stimulate trade and investment flows between India and African countries. Since both sides are on the side of the climate change debate, they are expected to work together to address the problems arising out of it – especially in the context of the upcoming COP-21 conference in Paris. They will also explore new areas like a “sustainable blue economy”, and the initiatives will aim to use the power of science and technology, space science and the networked world. The two sides are expected to reinforce their partnership on the global platform and deepen “security cooperation” including on maritime security and countering terrorism.
