The heads of states and governments of African nations have joined India in opposing "artificial timelines" for the Doha round which, they say, should focus on needs of the poor and developing countries, even as the US and EU intensify pressure for completing the global trade talks.

 "We are convinced that the process to be adopted to reach convergence in the WTO negotiations requires focus on content and not artificial timelines. The promise of a development round must be fully realised," the draft Delhi Declaration of the Africa-India Forum Summit said.

The First India-Africa Summit, that brought together India and the member states of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities of Africa representing the continent on one platform, adopted the declaration in New Delhi today.

It said that while agriculture remains the key to conclusion of the Doha Round, "Any acceptable agreement must adequately protect the livelihood, food security and rural development concerns of developing countries."

The Declaration also said the outcome should bring about significant and effective reductions in trade-distorting domestic support and subsidies provided by developed countries.

The summit agreed to strengthen bilateral linkages and India said that it will progressively strengthen its partnership with the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities of Africa.

India and Africa agreed to develop jointly, within a period of one year, a joint plan of action at the continental level and an appropriate follow-up mechanism to implement the Framework for Cooperation.

The leaders also agreed to meet every three years and noted that the next summit would be held in Africa in 2011.

The summit also resolved to meet climate challenges together and  called for negotiation of specific steps that would reduce and finally eliminate nuclear arms, thereby leading to a world free from all weapons of mass destruction.

The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and recognised the need to further strengthen international terrorism conventions and related protocols, and the Security Council resolutions on counter-terrorism.