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Context:
India’s strategic engagement with Africa has intensified ahead of the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV). Experts emphasize the need to “connect, build, and revive” ties to strengthen economic, security, and development partnerships.
Historical Evolution of India–Africa Relations
- Civilisational Links:
- Centuries-old Indian Ocean trade in gold, spices, and textiles forged deep socio-cultural connections.
- Gujarati merchant networks and shared colonial experiences strengthened bonds.
- Political Solidarity:
- India supported African liberation movements through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and anti-apartheid struggles.
- Coordinated decolonisation diplomacy at the UN during the Cold War.
- Post-1990s Phase:
- Economic reforms shifted India’s Africa policy toward investments, ITEC-driven capacity building, and cooperation in WTO, climate negotiations, and UN Security Council reforms.
- Contemporary Phase (2015–2025):
- IAFS-III (2015) brought together all 54 African nations.
- India opened 17 new embassies, scaled digital and development partnerships, and secured the AU’s permanent G20 membership (2023).
Key Areas of Cooperation
| Key Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Trade & Investment | $100B trade (2024–25); India 3rd-largest partner$75B FDI in telecom, hydrocarbons, pharma, infrastructure, digital services DFTP: 98.2% tariff-free access for 38 African LDCs |
| Development Partnership | $10B LoCs for 189 projects in 42 countries (power, irrigation, water, rail, rural electrification)e-VBAB platform for digital education & tele-medicine |
| Capacity Building | 40,000+ Africans trained under ITEC, ICCR, Pan-African e-NetworkIIT-M Zanzibar (2023) – AI & data science programs |
| Maritime & Security | AI-KEYME Naval Exercise (2025) – anti-piracy, humanitarian aid, maritime security with 9 African naviesMajor contributor to UN peacekeeping missions |
| Digital & FinTech | UPI, Aadhaar-like ID, and digital public infrastructure adoption in African countries |
| Energy & Climate | Solar & green energy via International Solar Alliance Collaboration in green hydrogen, EVs, and blue economy corridors |
