Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-day visit to Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, beginning July 7, to deepen India’s engagement with the resource-rich African continent where China has been expanding its influence. He will also attend interactions with the Indian community at Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The PM’s visit comes within weeks of President Pranab Mukherjee and vice-president Hamid Ansari travelling to Africa. “The visit will provide opportunities to build on close contacts at the highest political level and enhance mutual cooperation and understanding on major issues of common interest,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

India’s current trade with Africa is around $75 billion and it has granted $7.4 billion for various developmental and capacity-building projects in the past four years. India has implemented nearly 140 projects in 41 African countries during the period.

Mr Modi’s first destination will be Mozambique, where he will have bilateral discussions with President Nyusi on July 7 to expand existing cooperation. From July 8 to 9, Mr Modi will be in South Africa where he will have meetings with President Jacob Zuma and other senior leaders across the political spectrum. South Africa was among very few countries which were known to have some reservations over India’s bid for NSG membership. The Prime Minister is also expected to visit Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Durban, Mr Swarup said.

On July 10, the Prime Minister will have meetings with Tanzanian President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli on a range of topics to further enhance mutual cooperation and understanding on major issues of common interest, said Mr Swarup.

On the final leg of his trip, Mr Modi will travel to Kenya where he will have bilateral discussions with the Kenyan President. The Prime Minister will also address students at the University of Nairobi during the visit.

India had organised a four-day summit here with African countries in October last year which was attended by representatives of 54 African nations, including heads of state and government of about 40 African countries.