India to host Africa summit after 11 years

India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on May 31, marking the first such engagement in over a decade, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday unveiling its theme, logo and website.

The summit, to be held in New Delhi in partnership with the African Union Commission, comes after an 11-year gap since the last edition in 2015 and is expected to bring together leaders from across the African continent.

Calling it a “season of renewal”, Jaishankar said Africa occupies a central place in India’s foreign policy, with ties rooted in shared history, anti-colonial struggles and long-standing civilisational linkages.

The summit theme — “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation” — signals a forward-looking agenda focused on innovation, sustainable growth and inclusive development.

Highlighting expanding engagement, Jaishankar noted India has opened 17 new missions in Africa in recent years, taking the total to 46, underlining New Delhi’s long-term commitment to the continent.

He said India is now among Africa’s largest trading partners and development partners, with cooperation spanning energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and digital connectivity.

Africa is also the largest recipient of India’s overseas development assistance beyond its neighbourhood, with initiatives such as ITEC and ICCR scholarships supporting capacity building.

Jaishankar underscored India’s support for Africa’s role in global governance, citing the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023 as a key milestone.

The summit will be preceded by meetings of senior officials and foreign ministers on May 28-29. Officials said the gathering will help shape the next phase of India-Africa ties, with greater emphasis on co-creation, joint innovation and a stronger voice for the Global South in an evolving world order.