India played big role in Africa's capacity building: Modi

New Delhi: A day ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit's commencement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India "has played a big role in capacity building in Africa" and "both share several similarities".

"India and Africa have deep relations. Their population is as much as we have... Together we are one-third of the world's population," Modi said talking about the summit in his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat" on Sunday.

"Long time ago, even the landmass was one," he said. "India and Africa have many similarities and so many people of Indian-origin have been staying in Africa."

The prime minister said India has "played a big role in capacity building and human resource development in Africa", and several African leaders have studied in India.

The India-Africa Summit is due to be held in the national capital from October 26 to 29.