New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will inaugurate a two-day seminar titled 'India and Africa: an emerging partnership' here Thursday.

The event is being organised by the African Studies Association of India, Teen Murti Bhawan and the Society of Indian Ocean Studies.

India is in the midst of a major diplomatic initiative to increase its presence in Africa, both economically and politically. The total trade with 53 nations of Africa stands at $39 billon, which is a sharp increase from the volume at the beginning of this millennium.

India is also formulating an action plan along with the African Union to implement the resolution of the 2008 India Africa Partnership summit.

The number of high-level visits has already increased. Vice President Hamid Ansari was on a three-nation tour in southern Africa in January, followed by visits of Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.

Last year, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor had made a trip to several African countries.

The two-day seminar will witness an increase in investments, with the head of state companies like ONGC Videsh and RITES speaking about the increased pace of activity in Africa in the area of hydrocarbons and railways.

There will also be different sessions dealing with historic relations between India and Africa, as well as the role of the Indian diaspora.

The valedictory address will be given by Tharoor.