India was not competing with China or any other country to expand its influence in Africa, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said on Monday.

"We don't see this as a competitive exercise between the two countries," he told reporters at the India-Africa conclave here.

The minister was asked if there was a competition between India and China in winning over African support by carrying out developmental work there.

There was "plenty of room for not only China and India but also for the western world, Japan and others who wish to participate in Africa's development," Tharoor said.

Pointing out that New Delhi was Africa's significant partner in economic activities, he said, "India didn't need to be seen from the prism of any other country."

"Our model of cooperation is very different from others. We don't go in with our own agenda. We go to see how we can help," Tharoor said.

Asked if India was concerned over the presence of Al Qaeda in various African nations, the minister said the issue was being discussed with the countries there. But he refused to disclose further details.

To a query if there were misunderstandings between India and Africa over New Delhi's relations with Israel, Tharoor said, "I must say there is clear understanding between India and Palestine and the authorities of the two countries.

If there is no misunderstanding between India and Palestine, there is lesser scope of misunderstanding for any third country."

He said India's relation with Israel was very good but "that doesn't mean that we accept all the things that they do, particularly on the Palestinian issue."

Commenting on the piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia, Tharoor said India was in touch with Somalian authorities and was playing its part in the anti-piracy operations.

He said there was no information about the presence of Indian citizens on Somalian soil but warships had been deployed off the Somalian coast for the safety of "those who are jeopardised by the dangers in sea lanes there."

Date : 15/03/2010. News by Newsofap.com