Gandhinagar, Jan. 19 -- Highlighting the Narendra Modi government's focus on Africa as a top priority in its foreign and economic policy, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said that strong India-Africa relations would redefine the contours of the international order on more egalitarian lines.

Speaking at the inauguration of "Africa Day" during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here, Sushma Swaraj said India's long-standing ties with Africa had acquired vibrancy and dynamism during the last four years and the government had thus decided to open 18 new embassies and high commissions in the continent over the next few years, taking the total number to 47.

She said the first of these missions was already opened in Rwanda last yea...