India Gives $15 Million to Niger for African Union Summit in July

NEW DELHI: India has extended $15 million grant assistance to Niger in support of organising of the African Union (AU) summit scheduled from July 7-8, 2019 in Niamey, the capital of Niger, said the government in a statement.
The support of grant assistance was in response to a specific request made by Niger. India sees the grant assistance as a reiteration of India’s firm commitment to its developmental partnership with Africa, the continent where it is competing for influence with China.

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).
“The grant assistance was symbolically handed over to Lamido Ousseini Bala Goga Salamatou, Niger’s deputy foreign minister in the presence of Mohammed Saidil Moctar, minister and special advisor to the president of Niger by Indian ambassador to Niger Rajesh Agarwal at a ceremony held on 17 June 2019, in Niamey,” said the statement.
“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 $96.54 million to Niger for projects in transport, electrification, solar energy and potable drinking water,” it added.
India is also establishing in Niamey, Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre under grant assistance. The Centre honours the memory of Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th birth anniversary is in 2019.

Source: ToI

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