External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says upcoming summit will define a more ambitious and future focused India Africa partnership….report India, Africa Newsdesk
India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar has said the upcoming India Africa Forum Summit will define the next phase of strategic engagement between India and African nations, as New Delhi intensifies its push to strengthen partnerships across the Global South amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical order.
Speaking during the launch of the logo, theme and official website for the fourth edition of the India Africa Forum Summit, Jaishankar said the gathering would help shape a partnership that is “more ambitious, more inclusive and more future oriented”.
The summit, to be hosted in New Delhi on May 31 in collaboration with the African Union Commission, is expected to bring together leaders from across the African continent alongside representatives of regional organisations and policymakers.
In a statement posted on social media, Jaishankar said the summit would provide an important platform to exchange ideas, share development experiences and address common global challenges facing both India and Africa.
“The forthcoming Summit will shape the next phase of our partnership,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister stressed that India’s engagement with Africa is rooted in mutual respect, equality and development driven by African priorities and local ownership.
He highlighted expanding cooperation in sectors such as digital technology, fintech, innovation and capacity building, saying these areas were increasingly transforming economies across Africa.
India and African countries have also deepened cooperation in multilateral initiatives including the International Solar Alliance, the Global Biofuels Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Jaishankar also pointed to India’s support for stronger African representation in global governance institutions, highlighting the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023.
He said India and Africa were no longer simply development partners but strategic partners working together to shape a more balanced and inclusive global order.
The summit will be held under the theme “India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation”, reflecting efforts to broaden cooperation beyond traditional development assistance into areas linked to economic resilience, sustainability and emerging technologies.
Ahead of the summit, India will also host a series of preparatory meetings, including a Foreign Ministers’ meeting on May 29 and a Senior Officials Meeting on May 28 to discuss key areas of future cooperation.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the summit is expected to further strengthen political, economic and strategic ties between India and African nations while reinforcing South South cooperation at a time of increasing geopolitical realignment and competition for influence across the African continent.
