IAFS IV: Mapping new frontiers in India-Africa partnership

Marking a new chapter in India’s enduring engagement with the rising African continent, India will host the fourth edition of its summit with the leaders of African countries on May 31, a defining diplomatic gathering that will scale “new frontiers” in the multi-faceted India-Africa partnership.

Unveiling of the logo, theme and website for the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit on April 23, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underlined the “central place” of Africa in India’s foreign policy and encapsulated key features of the India-Africa engagement which will make the two rising poles in a mutating world order key partners in shaping a better world.

IA SPIRIT

The 2.0 phase of India-Africa partnership will dovetail aspirations for economic renewal and resurgence as crystallized in “Viksit Bharat 2047’ and Africa’s ‘Agenda 2063.’ “The ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and Africa’s ‘Agenda 2063’ are both complementary road maps which are geared towards prosperity and progress through sustainable growth and inclusive development,” said the minister.

The summit on May 21 will take place against the backdrop of the geopolitical and geoeconomic churn triggered by multiple conflicts and crises in different parts of the world. According to official sources, more than 40 leaders at the level of heads of state/government will be attending the summit. Like the previous summit in 2015, India has invited the leaders of all African countries for the summit.

The summit will be framed around the mantra of the summit will “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation.” In the lead-up to the Summit, a series of preparatory meetings will be held, including the India-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 29 May 2026, preceded by Senior Officials Meeting on May 28, which will discuss key areas of cooperation between India and Africa.

What’s on Agenda

Enhancing trade and investment and closer coordination in forging resilient supply chains will figure prominently in discussions. Fast-tracking reform of global governance architecture that will pave the way for bigger role for Africa in the global arena, including seats in the UN Security Council, will be high on the agenda. Underlining the “shared vision for more inclusive and representative global order,” Dr Jaishankar said that “India has consistently supported Africa’s rightful place in global governance.” Alluding to the inclusion of the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023, the minister highlighted that this step “reflected our firm belief that the voices of the Global South must shape global governance in times to come.”

Growing Partnership

India’s multi-layered engagement with Africa has been growing steadily over the years. India has opened 17 new diplomatic Missions across the African continent taking the number of Missions there to 46. African countries are now integral partners in Indian-led global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Global Biofuels Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Big Cat Alliance. The canvas of cooperation has expanded to included crucial areas like climate action, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, environmental conservation and a more sustainable future for Africa.

Development cooperation forms the heart of India’s burgeoning partnership with Africa, with multiple capacity-building programmes that seeks to empower and provide better quality of life to African people. The institutions set up by India promote people –centric cooperation and nurture talent of African people. Institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology in Zanzibar, the National Forensic Science University in Uganda, the Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Rwanda, and various Centres of Information Technology in several African countries are success stories of India’s development-centric partnership with Africa.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, defence, security and maritime cooperation play a bigger role in India-Africa engagement. In 2020, the India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave (IADMC) was launched. The ministerial dialogue focused on capacity building, training, maritime security, and counter-terrorism, aligning with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy and the AU’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative. In 2023, India introduced the first India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave under the theme “Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity – AMRUT,” broadening the engagement to tactical-level synergy.

Co-creation will be the new mantra of the New Delhi summit on May 31, 2026. The summit will push new frontiers in digital, fintech, and innovation, reshaping economies across the African continent. “We look forward to stronger focus on co-creation, mutual investments and joint innovation, aligned with our respective long-term development frameworks,” said Jaishankar.

“The summit will provide a platform to shape the next phase of our partnership – one that is more ambitious, one that is more inclusive, and one that is more future-oriented,” said the minister.