New Delhi: India -Africa Summit is all set to begin from Monday in which all African nations for the first time, will launch a new era of mutual partnership and aim to achieve stronger economic ties between the two nations.
Heavy security has been put in place by the Delhi police ahead of the four-day summit. Almost one fourth of the force has been deployed to secure summit which is to be attended by the heads of 54 African nations
The summit will address the key challenges faced by Africa, which includes food, health and environmental security. India hopes to create conditions that stimulate trade and investment flows between India and African countries.
During the four-day summit, the two sides are expected to reinforce their partnership on the global platform and deepen security cooperation including on maritime security and countering terrorism.
The Third IAFS is set to be the largest gathering of foreign leaders in India since the Non-Aligned Summit in New Delhi in 1983 and the Commonwealth Summit the same year.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had on Sunday had inaugurated the India Africa Friendship Rose Garden ahead of the third India Africa Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier in an interview with African journalists said the India-Africa Forum Summit, which will see the participation of all African nations for the first time, will launch a new era of mutual partnership.
“From October 26-29, ‘India-Africa Forum Summit’ is being organised. It is being organized at such a large scale for the first time in India,” Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the nation in the 13th edition of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme.
“Leaders of 54 African countries and the Unions have been invited. All of us must be proud. If India and Africa come together then we make one-third of the population,” he added.
–Traffic snarls–
But the capital is likely hit by traffic jams as traffic flow in Lutyens’ zone, central Delhi, Mathura Road, Rajghat, ITO and areas around India Gate is expected to be disrupted for the next few days in view of frequent VVIP route arrangements in connection with the India-Africa summit.
“The final input about the programme was received by Delhi Traffic Police and a plan was drafted on Sunday evening,” a senior police official said.
To avoid the C-Hexagon near India Gate, which can be blocked for VVIP movements, commuters heading towards ITO or Kashmere Gate from South Delhi may take the Ring Road till Ashram and then move east towards Akshardham temple.
They can return to their route through Geeta Colony or Wazirabad and continue their journey northwards. Similarly, vehicles from Kashmere Gate and Civil Lines might take the Rani Jhansi Road, Karol Bagh route to reach south Delhi and avoid congestion, the official said.
Large parts of Lutyens’ zone and central Delhi shall be temporarily turned into restricted zones, in view of security, and only labelled vehicles of the invitees and vehicles of bona fide residents of the areas under restriction will be allowed inside during the four-day summit, the official said.
For tomorrow, the entire stretch between Ashoka Road and Copernicus Marg will be blocked in the afternoon hours as the delegates are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister for lunch.
When dignitaries head towards the office of the President, the traffic at the Mother Teresa Crescent and South Avenue will be halted for an hour.
The traffic department have also provided arrangement for potential Rajghat visit. If dignitaries head towards Rajghat, the concerned stretch of Ring Road and Tilak Marg will be blocked, the official said.
At the same time, traffic at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Vikas Marg will be halted for about 15 minutes to maintain a steady traffic equation, he added.
Additional traffic personnel will be deployed on the road to tackle severe congestions, if any, he said.
(With PTI inputs)