India grants $ 15 million assistance to Niger

According to the Ministry, the support of grant assistance was in response to a specific request made by Government of Niger. Niger is hosting the AU Summit for the first time. The AU Summit in Niamey is also expected to launch the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

India and Niger enjoy close relations. Bilateral relations have expanded significantly since the opening of the Indian Resident Diplomatic Mission in Niamey in 2009. India has provided Lines of Credit worth USD 96.54 million to Niger for projects in transport, electrification, solar energy and potable drinking water.

India is also establishing in Niamey, the Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) under grant assistance. The Centre honours the memory of Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th birth anniversary is being observed in 2019. The Centre is likely to host some meetings associated with the forthcoming AU Summit.

India’s grant assistance for organizing the AU Summit will further contribute to enhancing bilateral ties, which is also a reiteration of India’s firm commitment towards Africa.

Over the years India has been deepening cooperation with the African continent. In his last term Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invested sufficient time and effort to the growth of India’s relations with the continent. He had visited a number of African countries, his tenure saw the India-Africa summit, where 40 heads of state or government from Africa participated while al 54 African countries attended. The President of the Republic of South Africa was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January this year.

According to officials of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, India’s partnership with the continent is demand driven and is based on a model of cooperation which is responsive to the needs of the African countries.