The two-day summit would deliberate on trade and investment ties as well as technological transfer between the two parties is believed to deepen India's exiting engagement with Africa, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The India-Africa summit, which is the first of its kind, is expected to pave ways through which the two parties would collaborate in areas like agriculture, food security, human-resource development, and infrastructure development.

Leaders and senior government officials from 14 African nations including, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Congo's President Joseph Kabila and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will converge at the summit.

Up on his departure at the Bole International Airport Prime Minister Meles was seen off by senior government officials.

R: 7: 30-7:45

E-- 7:45-8:06

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