Chasing China in resource-rich Africa, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who flew to Nigeria on Sunday in the first state visit there by an Indian prime minister in 45 years. Energy-starved India has been courting oil-rich African countries in recent years. Nigeria already provides for 11 percent of India’s crude oil supply, and Nalin Surie, a foreign ministry official, told reporters that India would seek deeper energy ties.

Expressing confidence Dr Singh said India can continue to sustain a growth rate of between nine and ten per cent with unlimited opportunities to overseas communities to contribute towards it.

"India has entered an exciting new phase. It is a vibrant and self-confident nation. I invite you all to contribute your spirit, endeavor and enterprise in the service of your homeland," he told the Indian community at a reception hosted in his honor. Calling India 'a close partner in Africa's resurgence', Dr Singh Monday unveiled a new vision of strategic partnership between India and Nigeria based on energy requirements ,security and common perspectives on global issues in his historic address to the joint session of the Nigerian parliament.

“We are approaching the fiftieth year of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. There can be no better occasion than to launch a strategic partnership between India and Nigeria. It will be anchored in the past and look to the future. India is the largest democracy in the world. Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa. We are multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual societies. Our societies embrace modernity while preserving their traditions. There is a natural logic in ties between the two countries.” said the Indian Prime Minister in his address

Dr Singh made the Indian Interest on Nigeria very clear and candid when he said “It is a partnership for energy security. Nigeria's rich natural resources provide the base for our mutually beneficial cooperation for energy security. India and Nigeria should also promote research and development in efficiency of energy production, clean technologies and renewable sources of energy.”

After such a long interval a visit of the Highest Dignitary from India to that country assumes all the more importance looking into the global perspective of the changing contours of International politics and Africa’s emerging role in it. Four agreements will be signed during the visit. India's Foreign Service Institute and the Nigerian Foreign Service Academy will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The Indian Council for World Affairs and the Nigerian Institute for World Affairs will sign another MoU. A protocol on foreign office consultations and another on defense cooperation too will be signed.

The two countries will finalize an all-embracing agenda for closer energy and joint economic partnership based on new oil exploration blocks and infrastructure developments as well as a clear cut strategy for diversifying relations between them. The focus will be on improving connectivity and expanding bilateral trade, which is currently estimated to be around $8 billion.

In the coming six months, agreements on double taxation avoidance agreement and bilateral investment and protection would be signed .Another pact on bilateral air service agreement are also likely to be finalized by April 2008. An extradition treaty and an agreement on science and technology would be ready by then.

In a global context Dr Singh made the goals for both the countries very clear when he said, “a partnership to steer the global economic and political agenda towards addressing the legitimate concerns of developing countries.” Stressing the importance of friendly ties between India and Africa dating back to a shared history of historical struggle based on Gandhian ways against colonialism and apartheid and with an optimistic picture of the continent's resurgent growth with India playing a key role in it the Prime Minister sounded very positive.

'We envision an Africa that is self-reliant, economically vibrant and at peace with itself and the world. It is this promise that our partnership with Africa seeks to fulfill. India will offer its fullest cooperation to harness the great potential of the African people. We seek to become close partners in Africa's resurgence,' declared Dr Singh

India’s road map towards Africa was made very clear during this visit which can be understood from the focus of the Prime Minister’s statement. With development being a key factor in it. “We will share our experiences with African countries on holistic approaches to development. We will work closely with the African Union in promoting the achievement of internationally agreed developmental goals.”

With India hosting the next India-Africa summit in Delhi next year ground for a common destiny was made clear in this visit. “We need to establish a sustained dialogue with Africa to identify joint approaches on international issues such as combating terrorism, nuclear disarmament, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, trafficking of small arms and narcotics. India will work with Africa in the areas of peacekeeping and peace-building. I believe that India and Africa have a shared destiny and a common future. Ours is a relationship that must now be brought to full bloom. Let us work together to make this happen” declared Dr Singh.

With a new focus on India’s approach towards Africa one can hope for a new and very important beginning in the coming time. With huge opportunities for India in a developing Africa potentials are huge. The need of the hour is a long sustained and focused approach and the Indian Prime Minister has rightly done that. This needs to be sustained in the long run. With several western countries, USA Russia and China focusing deeply on Africa India cannot afford to loose out in this international game of geo politics based on economic platform .Nigeria could be a launching pad for India in her long term interest towards Africa. In fact the key to the goldmine called Africa lies in Nigeria’s hand and it depends whether India can hold that key on the long run.