New Delhi: Asserting that India attaches utmost importance to economic ties with Africa, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday that India Africa Friendship Rose garden is a new opportunity to interact in an informal and friendly gathering. Swaraj, who inaugurated the India Africa Friendship Rose garden here on Sunday ahead of the third India Africa Forum Summit which begins tomorrow, said flowers signify love, friendship and brotherhood, adding that this event symbolizes the close ties between both sides. The summit to be attended by the heads of 54 African nations will address the key challenges faced by Africa, which includes food, health and environmental security. India hopes to create conditions that stimulate trade and investment flows between New Delhi and the African countries. During the four-day summit, the two sides are expected to reinforce their partnership on the global platform and deepen security cooperation, including on maritime security and countering terrorism.