The 3 acre park dedicated to the friendship of India and Africa has been planted with over 6,000 rose saplings of 65 varieties collected from all parts of the country
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden in Delhi ahead of the third India Africa Summit which begins tomorrow.
"India considers Africa part of its extended neighbourhood and our friendship will blossom in the years to come," the External Affairs Minister said inaugurating the garden dedicated to India-Africa friendship in the national capital's diplomatic enclave.
"Today as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, India is attaching the utmost importance to its economic engagement with the African countries," she said.
Sushma Swaraj termed Africa as a frontier of "new opportunities", adding "we are interested in Africa's economic growth and its integration with global economy".
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was present at the function, mentioned India and Africa's "shared" history of struggle against colonialism and injustice and their icons Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
The 3 acre park dedicated to the friendship of India and Africa has been planted with over 6,000 rose saplings of 65 varieties collected from all parts of the country, said Naresh Kumar, chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
NDMC in association with Ministry of External Affairs has roped in artists from across Africa to perform cultural shows to promote the Indo-African ties.
Heavy security arrangements have been made for the four-day summit that commences tomorrow and is to be attended by the heads of 54 African nations, over 40 presidents and heads of state and kings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann ki Baat' today said 'India-Africa ties go back a long time and have many similarities too'.
While the government is going all out to welcome leaders of the African continent, an uncomfortable issue would be that of racism.
According to the NDTV sources, a group of diplomats from the African continent had written two letters to Sushma Swaraj in July expressing concern over the growing number of attacks on Africans.
Speaking to NDTV, Namibian High Commissioner said the interaction between Indians and people from the African continent will help towards establishing better relations.