Courtesy: X/@IndiainZimbabwe
Africa is central to India’s foreign policy, a priority expected to be reaffirmed at the upcoming India–Africa Forum Summit. The much-anticipated event will focus on deepening economic partnerships and expanding strategic cooperation. Ahead of the summit, it is necessary to take stock of the current state of the continental engagement, particularly in trade, investment, technology, and capacity-building.
Courtesy: The Hindu
India and Africa together represent nearly a third of humanity, making deeper ties a strategic priority. However, the partnership faces multiple challenges: growing competition in Africa; limited interest within Indian diplomacy, business, and media; instability across parts of the continent; and inadequate financial resources for development co-operation. As the fourth IAFS progresses, both must adopt a holistic and forward-looking approach anchored in both realism and shared historical ties.
Courtesy: Gateway House
The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) will take place in New Delhi from May 28-31, 2026. It is being held at a time when Africa has actively engaged with several other major partners, placing high expectations on India. Over the last 18 years, the India-Africa partnership has had ambitious goals and some outcomes across diplomacy, trade, education, capacity building, health, and infrastructure development. This will deepen.
Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
Changes in how India plans to approach its relationship with Africa were evident at the recent India-Africa Forum Summit, including the wider representation of African countries, and Modi’s push to forge a united front with Africa at multilateral institutions on trade and other issues. But beyond these, gaps in the India-Africa alliance remain to be addressed.
Courtesy:
Designed by Debarpan Das This infographic was exclusively created for Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. You can read more exclusive content here. For interview requests with the author, or for permission to republish, please contact outreach@gatewayhouse.in. © Read more
Courtesy: IAFS
The third India-Africa Forum Summit this week in New Delhi may be the right opportunity for the Modi government to formulate a strong Africa policy, and hosting more than 50 heads of African states will give India a chance to deepen the relationship and open access to newer markets.
Courtesy:
The Third India Africa Forum Summit is being held in New Delhi from October 26-29, 2015. The mood in Africa around the Summit is evident as, for the first time, all 54 countries have representations. Ambassador Neelam Deo, Director, Gateway House, talks to us about the Summit and the many elections currently underway in the continent.
Courtesy: Equatorial Guinea / Flickr
The India-Africa Forum Summit in October in New Delhi will be a milestone event, with more than 50 African states and representatives from the African Union participating. It will demonstrate how Africa fits into India’s new foreign policy outlook, clarify to African countries how ‘Make in India’ impacts their economies, and will be an opportunity for both sides to renew development cooperation.