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As geopolitical shifts redefine global partnerships, the relationship between India and Africa is gaining renewed momentum. With growing cooperation in technology, trade, health, and capacity building, the India–Africa partnership is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of South–South cooperation.
In this exclusive interview with South Asian Herald, Anil Kumar Rai, India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, reflects on the evolving India–Africa partnership, the role of Ethiopia as the diplomatic capital of Africa, and the strategic significance of deeper engagement between India and African nations.
How is India redesigning its approach for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit to ensure faster execution of commitments?
India will host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) from May 28-31, 2026, in New Delhi, in collaboration with the African Union Commission. The summit will bring together leaders from across the continent, regional economic communities, specialized organizations, and the India as well as African diaspora to lay out a practical roadmap for deepening cooperation across diverse sectors. In the lead-up to the event, preparatory meetings, think tank dialogues, India-Africa Business Dialogue, and cultural events are planned, and Delhi will be adorned with Indian and African murals to celebrate the occasion.
The summit’s theme “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation” captures the comprehensive ambition of the partnership.
India’s approach is guided by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and is closely aligned with India’s own Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of becoming a developed nation by its centenary of independence. Since both regions share similar developmental challenges and opportunities, India aims to offer population-scale solutions that African nations can examine, adapt, and build upon in line with local conditions.
What mechanisms will ensure measurable, transparent outcomes on the ground?
Discussions are underway to establish a Joint Monitoring and Implementation Mechanism with clearly defined measurable targets. Both sides are expected to convene periodically to review progress on summit decisions, ensuring that commitments translate into concrete outcomes.
How does India differentiate its partnership model from other global actors on the continent?
India and Africa share deep-rooted ties grounded in anti-colonial solidarity, people-to-people bonds, and a tradition of South-South cooperation. Unlike transactional models, India’s partnership has consistently focused on demand-driven, results-oriented engagement-prioritizing capacity building, affordable technology, healthcare, education, agriculture, and institution building. New technologies like AI and creativity promoted by India through AI Impact Summit and WAVES Summit provides established platforms for cooperation with the African countries.
The IAFS-IV provides a pivotal opportunity to align this approach with Agenda 2063’s implementation priorities, its Second Ten Year Implementation Plan. This makes India-Africa partnership model genuinely distinct: as it is built around Africa’s own goals, priorities and interests.
How can the summit translate India’s digital infrastructure experience into scalable solutions for Africa?
India’s implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) at population scale, spanning digital identity, banking, social services, health, education, and transportation has dramatically improved efficiency and reduced redundancy across public systems. These best practices are openly available for African countries to study and adopt. Crucially, India’s DPI stack is open source, ensuring that nations retain full data sovereignty and the freedom to innovate on top of the platform. India stands ready to support African governments in deploying these systems at scale.
What are the foundational principles driving India-Africa relations?
India-Africa relations are driven by the principles of solidarity, equality, mutual respect, South-South cooperation and shared development objectives. These principles were articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the “Kampala Principles” during his 2018 address to the Parliament of Uganda. The principles today form the foundation of India’s Africa policy. The Kampala Principles emphasize that Africa will remain a top priority for India and that partnerships must be guided by African priorities rather than external prescriptions. India’s approach is therefore demand-driven, capacity-oriented and focused on local ownership. Human resource development, education, skill building, healthcare and institution building are central pillars of cooperation.
The principles outline approach for mutual prosperity through trade, investment, industrialization and technology transfer aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) goals. India supports peace and security cooperation, including UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and maritime security of Africa.
Another key pillar is reform of global governance and stronger global South cooperation. India has consistently supported Africa’s greater voice in global institutions, including through providing permanent seat to African Union in G-20 during India’s presidency in 2023. The Kampala Principles also emphasize climate justice, sustainable development, sovereignty, strategic autonomy and people-to-people ties, making India-Africa relations a unique and balanced development partnership.
What was the key message at the launch of the IAFS-IV website and logo on April 23?
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar officially launched the logo, theme, and website for IAFS-IV on April 23 in New Delhi, with all African ambassadors accredited to India in attendance. Describing the summit as a “season of renewal,” he emphasized that it is not merely a diplomatic event but a platform to shape more ambitious, inclusive, and future-oriented cooperation. In a world marked by volatility, he noted, the steady growth of the India-Africa relationship signals stability and reliability.
He highlighted India’s long-standing support for Africa’s place in global governance, pointing to the permanent inclusion of the African Union in the G20 during India’s 2023 presidency as a landmark achievement. He also referenced the establishment of 17 new Indian diplomatic missions across Africa in recent years as evidence of deepening commitment. The summit’s newly launched logo, featuring the lion, native to both regions, was described as a symbol of courage, shared pride, and common identity.
What are the key areas of cooperation identified for the summit?
The IAFS-IV has identified several convergence areas between India’s development experience and Agenda 2063 priorities:
Digital Infrastructure and Technology: India’s expertise in digital identity, interoperable payments, and e-governance offers scalable models for Africa. Collaboration in AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital governance can transform public services and create youth employment.
Trade, Connectivity, and Industrialization: India can support the African Continental Free Trade Area through customs digitization, logistics efficiency, and value chain development, drawing on expertise in pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and renewable energy.
Agriculture and Green Development: Cooperation in climate-resilient farming, nano-fertilizers, millets, and organic agriculture can boost food security. India-led platforms like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance offer pathways to green growth.
Health, Education, and Skills: Deeper engagement with Africa CDC on vaccines, telemedicine, and digital health, alongside expansion of technical and vocational education through institutions like IIT Zanzibar, can drive long-term human capital development.
Space and Science: ISRO collaboration with African Space Agency can advance satellite applications, GIS mapping, weather forecasting, and disaster management across the continent.
Culture, Tourism, and Heritage: Cultural exchanges, heritage conservation, and partnerships in film and digital creative industries can deepen people-to-people ties and generate new economic opportunities.
