The third India Africa Forum Summit 2015, which is being held from 26 to 29 October, has set the stage for a new era in mutual partnership between two of the world's fastest growing regions.
Here are 10 things to know about the India-Africa Forum Summit 2015:
Participation of all 54 African nations
The third India-Africa Forum Summit, which is the largest gatherings of African nations outside the continent, is being attended by all the 54 African countries. About 40 African presidents and prime ministers are participating in the event along with several ministers and other dignitaries.
Prominent African leaders
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Zimbabwean President and African Union Chairperson Robert G Mugabe, Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed Elbashir, South African President Jacob Zuma, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Moroccan King Mohammed VI are some of the prominent African leaders who are attending the summit.
Largest international summit since 1983
It is the first time that an international summit on such a scale is being held in India, after the Non-Aligned Summit in 1983; the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in the same year saw the participation of 42 countries.
Summit equivalents in other countries
Besides India, some of the other major nations too have hosted similar summits with African countries. One of the important summits is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) between China and Africa.
The United States of America, European Union and Japan also have equivalent summits.
Economic, Cultural and Political ties
Several economic, cultural and political issues will be discussed during the summit, including green technology, blue economy, space technology, education, skill development, healthcare, food security, connectivity and peace & security, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
Bilateral, Regional and Continental relations
The summit will review the scope of India's relations with Africa at bilateral, regional and continental levels.
Trade and Investment
India's trade with Africa has increased 20 times since the beginning of the century and currently stands at $70 billion. India's investments in Africa are in the range of $30 to $35 billion.
India has given $7.4 billion concessional credit for 17 projects across 41 African countries. These projects cover areas including water, agriculture, infrastructure and energy.
No beef, no pork
The banquet hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for African dignitaries on Wednesday will have no beef or pork.
100 luxury cars, 10 five-star hotels
The African leaders will be ferried in 100 luxury cars. Mercedes-Benz will provide 55 top-of-the-class E 250 CDI luxury sedans, while the rest will be Toyota Hybrid models. The dignitaries have been put up in 10 five-star hotels.
2008, 2011 summits
The two previous India-Africa Forum summits were held in 2008 in New Delhi and in 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
