Jaishankar met African Heads of Mission to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and Africa’s growing influence in a multipolar world…reports Asian Lite News Desk
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday hosted Heads of Mission from African countries, with discussions focusing on strengthening the India-Africa partnership, Africa’s growing role in a multipolar world and new opportunities for people-centric cooperation.
“Delighted to host Heads of Mission from Africa this afternoon. The India-Africa partnership is one of shared histories, common aspirations and Deep South-South solidarity. We discussed its different aspects, the rise of Africa in a multipolar world and new possibilities for our people-centric cooperation,” Jaishankar posted on X.
The meeting comes amid India’s efforts to deepen its engagement with African nations across trade, investment, connectivity, development cooperation and capacity building.
Earlier this month, Jaishankar chaired a conference of India’s Heads of Mission in Africa in Addis Ababa, where he highlighted the strong links between India and Africa, underpinned by solidarity among countries of the Global South, strategic autonomy, multipolarity and shared development aspirations.
“We held in-depth discussions on taking forward our partnership across trade, investments, connectivity, development partnership, and capacity building,” he said following the conference.
The conference took place a day after Jaishankar outlined his vision for the India-Africa partnership during an address in the Ethiopian capital. He said future partnerships should “help create capabilities, not promote dependencies”, emphasising the need for cooperation that enables countries to strengthen their own capacities.
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Jaishankar also called for reform of the United Nations Security Council, arguing that Africa should receive fair representation in the global body.
“It is no longer sufficient to describe India and Africa only through the vocabulary of historical solidarity. History has given us trust,” he said, stressing that the relationship needed to evolve beyond its historical foundations.
He said development partnerships should be based on mutual respect and equality rather than prescriptive or conditional approaches.
“They need not be prescriptive, condescending or conditional. They can be based on respect and equality, shared capabilities, and most of all, shared prosperity,” Jaishankar said.
On global governance, the minister highlighted India’s efforts during its G20 Presidency in 2023 to secure permanent membership for the African Union in the grouping. He said the same principle should guide the reform of the UN Security Council.
“The same logic now applies to the reform process of the UN Security Council,” he said.
India and African countries have sought to expand cooperation across economic development, infrastructure, trade and diplomatic engagement. Jaishankar’s latest meeting with African envoys underlines New Delhi’s focus on strengthening these ties while advocating a greater role for developing nations in international decision-making.
