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India extends $15 million to Niger for African Union summit

India extends $15 million to Niger for African Union summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

India has extended a grant of $15 million to Niger to help it organise the African Union (AU) summit.

The summit will take place from July 7-8in its capital Niamey. The grant assistance was handed over to Niger deputy foreign minister Lamido Ousseini Bala Goga Salamatou by the Indian envoy to Niger Rajesh Agarwal.

This is the first time the country is hosting the AU summit and India's support was in response to a specific request made by the Niger government. The AU summit is expected to launch the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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The Indian assistance comes even as the governmentincreases its engagement with the continent.

New Delhi in October 2015 had hosted the India-Africa summit that had seenmaximum participation of African head of states and governments. Niger President Issoufou Mahamadou had participated in the 2015 summit and also visited India in March 2018 to attend the Founding Conference of International Solar Alliance.

India opened its mission in Niamey in 2009 and has provided Lines of Credit worth $ 96.54 million to Niger for projects in transport, electrification, solar energy and potable drinking water.

New Delhi is also establishing Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) in the country and is likely to host meetings associated with the upcoming AU summit.