Attention may have been focused on China’s rather tortuous transporting of the Olympic flame in recent weeks but, away from the glare of the world’s press, another race involving the Asian superpower is well underway.

This week in Delhi, an India-Africa summit kicks-off, an event which boasts a cast list as impressive as those chosen to brave the pro-Tibet protesters in London this weekend.

As is becoming increasing clear China has made massive strides in Africa in recent years, as they look to the continent’s vast untapped reservoir of resources to fuel their growth. India, it seems, now wants a piece of the action.

“India and Africa have always shared a long history,” Anand Sharma, India’s minister of state, said in the run-up to the opening of the summit.

However, no-one is kidding themselves that this latest bridge-building exercise is down to any deep-seated desire to renew old ties, more than a need to be involved when Africa begins exploiting its estimated $30 billion worth of oil and gas assets.

India is behind in the race, but the country clearly hopes that this is marathon and not a sprint.