Africa Calling: Modi Embarks on Four-Nation Africa Tour to Strengthen Ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a four-nation tour of Africa on Thursday to enhance ties.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Ahead of his four-nation Africa visit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his tour is aimed at enhancing ties with the continent, particularly in the economic sphere and people-to-people contacts.

My Africa tour, aimed at enhancing ties between India & Africa will begin from Mozambique in a brief but key visit. https://t.co/LaOw7lk2fp

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 6 July 2016

​"In a bid to strengthen India-Africa ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his first visit to African mainland between July 7 and 11, covering four countries: Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup told media.

He further added that, "The Prime Minister's visit reflects India's desire to further strengthen and reinvigorate bilateral ties with our African partners which were renewed at the successful IAFS-3 in October last year. This visit will provide opportunities to build on close contacts at the highest political level."

Prime Minister Modi will begin his four nation tour with Mozambique and then travel to South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

The focus of Modi's Africa visit will be on deepening cooperation in areas of hydrocarbons, maritime security, trade and investment, agriculture and food. Modi's South Africa visit is very important due to the countries' deep-rooted historical ties.  

Modi's Africa visit is also important for India's commercial interests since both India and China are competing in Africa.