Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here today to participate in the second India-Africa summit which aims to widen the ambit of cooperation between the two fast growing economies of the world.

Dr Singh, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, was accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome at the Bole airport where the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemarim Pesalegem and Indian diplomats were present to receive him.

This capital city of Ethiopia, seat of the AU, was colorfully decorated With posters and banners to hail leaders participating in the meet. Leaders of 15 African countries are participating in the meet, being held after three years. Last meet in 2008 was held in New Delhi.

Though the discussions at various levels among participating countries started last week, Dr Singh will be co-chairing the meet with AU chairperson Obiang Nguema Mbasogo tomorrow.

The President of Equatorial Guinea Mr Mbasogo, in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union, will co-chair the Summit along with the Prime Minister.

Dr Singh is accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur and a high-level delegation.

Full diplomatic relations were established in 1950 with Sardar Sant Singh as the first Ambassador to Ethiopia.

Indian diaspora here enjoys much goodwill as Ethiopians do not look at Indians as aliens.

As India enjoys much goodwill here, Ethiopia also values India as an important partner in its development efforts. The country's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi frequently states publicly that China and India are Ethiopia's preferred partners.

It is the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister, though then President S Radhakrishnan visited Ethiopia in 1965 and then President VV Giri in 1972.

Vice-President Zakir Hussain visited the country in 1967. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had also visited Ethiopia as Minister for Information and Broadcasting while Pranab Mukherjee, then External Affairs Minister, visited Ethiopia in 2007.

The traditional Indian community in Ethiopia is from Gujarat.

They came to this country in the later years of the 19th century.

During imperial times, there were also tens of thousands of Indian teachers in schools all over Ethiopia, even in the most remote parts.

The numbers of the Indian community fell very significantly during the Derg regime. It is now around 2,000 - the majority being the new investors and their employees.

Source: http://www.newkerala.com/