On Wednesday 14 November 2007, Mr Anand Sharma (Minister of State for External Affairs, India) will lead a discussion meeting on the topic of "India & Africa – Partnership in the 21st Century" from 12 noon - 1 pm.
In his speech to the Joint Session of the Nigerian National Assembly on 15 October 2007, the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, spoke of India’s vision for a Partnership with Africa for the 21st century. He added that India sought to become a close partner in Africa’s resurgence. India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Anand Sharma, who accompanied Prime Minister Singh on his visits to Nigeria and South Africa earlier this month, takes the lead on India’s policy towards Africa and other parts of the world.
Minister Sharma has been a Member of the Union Council of Ministers with responsibility for Foreign Affairs since January 2006. Earlier, he was President of the Indian Youth Congress in 1985 and President of the Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress in 1977. He was first elected to Parliament in 1984 at the age of 31. Minister Sharma has been a prominent public figure in the Indian National Congress and was Chief Spokesman of the party for six years. He has also been a key organiser of several large international conferences (including the First Non-Aligned Youth Conference in New Delhi that was attended by delegates from 82 countries) and has been sent by the Prime Minister of India as Special Envoy for various sensitive assignments. He is a member of the All India Congress Committee.
Minister Sharma is recognised for his personal commitment to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He was the Chairman of the Indian Anti-Apartheid Movement as well as the World Youth Action against Apartheid. He was appointed to observe the South African Transition Process and Elections in 1994 by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
This meeting will take place on the Fourth Floor at Arundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London, WC2R 3DX.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP Kathleen James on Email:
james@iiss.org or Tel. 020 7395 9109
