While the move to turn food into biofuel has benefited a handful of grain-surplus African countries such as Uganda, speakers at the summit blamed the tactic for skyrocketing prices and shortages. “It is a challenge in the sense that there is this problem of shortage of food in a number of countries and there is a problem of high prices,” Tanzanian President and African Union chairman Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete said.

“These days farms have been put to biofuel production, creating a shortage of food and therefore creating a problem of high prices.” He said Africa just needs to solve its agricultural production problems to produce enough that could not only feed the continent, but also provide for the world.

The Summit issued a Delhi Declaration and ‘Framework for Cooperation’ document outlining ways in which the two sides will implement joint programmes to build a “meaningful and productive” partnership. The two sides agreed to further develop their relationship, particularly in the areas of trade, economy, agriculture and human development.

Leaders from the 14 African countries who attended the Summit appreciated India’s initiatives like duty free preferential access and emphasised the need for quick follow up action to implement these.