Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), May 25 : India has reiterated that it is not competing with any other country vis-a-vis building ties with African nations.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) in Ministry of External Affairs said: "We are guided by the priority of our friends in Africa. It is a partnership. So, please dispel this idea of India being in a race with any country with respect of its partnership with Africa."

He said that India''s engagements with Africa go beyond the realm of political and economical ties.

He further said that in the last one-week, Addis Ababa has seen a plethora of get-togethers between both countries, including media symposia, academic meets, cultural and crafts events.

"All this talk of races are figments of imagination. We have a direct relationship with Africa. As I mentioned, it is a comprehensive relationship. It is at three levels-bilateral, regional and pan-African. It is also comprehensive in as much as it is not narrowly focused. Our engagement (with Africa) should be seen in totality," said Katju.

He also reiterated that New Delhi''s prime concern has been for the restoration of peace in Libya.

"I think India wants peace and tranquility to return to Libya. It wants the resumption of the political process. It wants, it supports the efforts of the African Union with regard to the Libyan situation and I do believe that the Addis Ababa declaration for which of course you will have to wait till tomorrow (May 25), once its adopted will contain something on Libya," he said. (ANI)