India-Africa Summit: Over 150 MEA officers deployed to make event a grand success

NEW DELHI: The Modi government is pulling out all the stops to make the third edition of the India-Africa Summit in Delhi on October 29 a mega success. It has deployed more than 150 officers of the external affairs ministry to attend 38 heads of states in what will be the biggest summit in the country since the 1983 Commonwealth and Non-Aligned Movement summits. Besides heads of state or government, at least 10 ministerial level representations are expected from the 54 African countries for the summit which promises to be another show of political strength for the Modi government.

The numbers of dignitaries could still rise, according to officials. Ahead of the summit, Delhi will also host trade ministers of 54 African nations. The external affairs ministry officers have been drawn one each from the over 160 Indian embassies and posts abroad, officials said. This will not put any single diplomatic mission under pressure, they said.



The number of officers, drawn from various ranks, could reach 200 during the summit to handle the mega event, officials said. All officers picked for the event are relatively young, reflecting the youthful flavour of India-Africa ties.

The government has deliberately chosen young officers keeping in mind that Africa is also a continent of youth and aspirations, and the Modi government wants to promote bonds between youths of the two entities, officials said.