India's Modi starts African tour to drum up business

Maputo : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday kicked off a four-nation tour of Africa, vowing to be "a trusted friend" of Mozambique after talks with President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo.

Modi set the tone for his continental visit by announcing a raft of cooperation agreements as India scrambles to catch up with its Asian rival China, which has a strong presence across Africa.

He will also take in South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya over his five-day trip.

"Mozambique's strengths are also the areas of India's need. And what Mozambique requires is available in India," Modi said.

"In Mozambique's march towards economic prosperity, India will walk every step of the way.

"We will be a trusted friend in your development and a reliable partner in ensuring a bright safe and secure future for our people."

Modi, the first Indian leader to visit Mozambique in 34 years, said the two countries would work together on agriculture, defence, security and healthcare.

India has been working to build ties with African nations as it vies for a greater share of the continent's natural resources. Last year, it hosted a summit of Africa's heads of state in New Delhi.

Its economic footprint in Africa is dwarfed by that of China, whose trade with the continent topped $200 billion last year.

India is gaining ground, however, led by private entrepreneurs with a keen interest in the continent's burgeoning energy sector.

But relations between India and the continent have been strained in the past by incidents of alleged racism, with African ambassadors as recently as May claiming after the brutal murder of a Congolese teacher that African nationals in the Indian capital live in a "pervading climate of fear and insecurity".