Africa shaped Indian diaspora's identity: Modi

Maputo, July 7: Prime Minister on Thursday said Africa is the land that shaped the identity of the Indian diaspora.

"Africa was the land which started shaping the identity of the Indian diaspora," he said in a brief interaction with members of the Indian community here.

"Even as you assimilate with your local societies, you have managed to conserve the essence of your Indianness," he said in a brief speech on the occasion.

There are around 20,000 people of Indian origin in Mozambique.

Modi said Africa is the land that contributed to India being known internationally.

"Indians in Africa contribute to India's status worldwide," he said

The community interaction was the last engagement of the Prime Minister here before his departure for South Africa.

He arrived here on Thursday morning on the first leg of his four-nation African tour.

India and Mozambique signed three agreements, including a long-term one on purchase of pulses.

Apart from Mozambique and South Africa, Modi will also visit Tanzania and Kenya.

IANS