09 May 2026

A decade later, African leaders, will on May 28 to 31 converge in New Delhi, India for the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), with the last one held in 2015.

Earlier editions were held in 2008 and 2011.

As a precusor to the Summit, India High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr Bharath Kumar Kuthati, on May 7, hosted a team of journalists informing them about the upcoming Forum, which he described as being more than a diplomatic summit, but a reaffirmation of partnership built on shared history, shared challenges, aspirations and shared responsibility for the future.

The Summit, he shared sought to strengthen long-term resilience instead of short-term dependency.

Further, he noted that it would provide an opportunity for identifying areas of cooperation, deepening the economic engagements and collectively share global challenges, among others.

Again, he said the Summit would be a landmark engagement to further cement close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Africa as well as to showcase good governance and inclusive development initiatives developed over the last decade.

The Summit will be held under the theme: IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation.

According to him, India did not see Africa as a partner in development only, but also in shaping the global order.

He said India and Africa partnership stood together during struggles against colonialisation, apartheid, discrimination and economic exploitation.

India and African countries, he said had worked together closely in challenging times including the supply of medicines and healthcare assistance and capacity building initiatives.

Furthermore, to reaffirm its commitment to the bilaterial relations between India and Africa, he said the latter had made investments valued between US$75-US$80 billion while bilaterial trade in Africa surpassed US$100 billion.

“India entered into partnerships in healthcare, education capacity building, agriculture, renewable energy, climate, action, technology, among others,” he said.

He said India wanted to work with African countries not only as a technology` provider but as a collaborative partner in coordinating inclusive solutions. ENDS