External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday reaffirmed that Africa remains one of India’s foremost foreign policy priorities, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the continent through development cooperation, trade, education, defence collaboration and support for a more inclusive global order.
Addressing the Africa Day 2026 celebrations in New Delhi, EAM Jaishankar described the occasion as one of solidarity and shared history, saying the relationship between India and Africa is rooted in centuries of cultural exchanges, common struggles against colonialism and a shared vision for the future.
Recalling the historical links between the two regions, EAM Jaishankar said India and Africa have been connected for millennia through the Indian Ocean, facilitating not only trade but also the exchange of cultures, ideas, philosophies and traditions. He noted that both regions fought colonial rule together and continue to share a strong bond forged during their struggles for freedom and dignity.
Highlighting the influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy on African independence movements, EAM Jaishankar recalled that Gandhi developed the principles of Satyagraha and non-violence in South Africa, inspiring leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela. Quoting Mandela, he said, “You gave us Mohandas Gandhi; we gave you the Mahatma.”
The minister said India’s engagement with Africa today is guided by the ten Kampala Principles announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the Ugandan Parliament in 2018. These principles focus on demand-driven development partnerships, expanding trade and investment, promoting digital transformation, supporting reforms in global institutions and ensuring a free, open and inclusive maritime order.
EAM Jaishankar said political engagement between India and African nations has intensified significantly over the past decade, with more than 150 high-level visits taking place in both directions. He added that India has expanded its diplomatic presence by opening 17 new missions, taking its resident footprint to 46 African countries.
Reiterating India’s support for greater African representation in global institutions, EAM Jaishankar described the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency as a landmark achievement reflecting New Delhi’s commitment to the Global South. He also reiterated India’s support for Africa’s permanent representation in a reformed United Nations Security Council while seeking African backing for India’s own bid for permanent membership.
Emphasising the growing economic partnership, EAM Jaishankar said bilateral trade between India and Africa reached USD 93 billion last year, while cumulative Indian investments in the continent have crossed USD 80 billion across sectors including telecommunications, energy, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, agriculture and digital services.
The minister highlighted India’s development partnership with Africa, stating that New Delhi has extended 190 Lines of Credit worth more than USD 10 billion for projects across over 40 African countries. More than 220 projects valued at USD 4.5 billion have already been completed, while several others are under implementation. Since 2015, India has also provided USD 700 million in grant assistance for infrastructure development, medical aid, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including the provision of artificial limbs in conflict-affected regions.
Human resource development remains central to India’s Africa policy, EAM Jaishankar said, noting that over the past 11 years India has offered more than 80,000 scholarships and training opportunities through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), CV Raman Fellowships and digital education initiatives under the e-VBAB platform.
He said India has also established Centres of Excellence across Africa and inaugurated overseas campuses of premier Indian institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Zanzibar and the National Forensic Sciences University in Uganda.
Recalling India’s assistance during crises, EAM Jaishankar said New Delhi has consistently supported African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, guided by the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the African principle of Ubuntu. He added that India has supplied food grains to several African countries, supported millet cultivation initiatives, and provided medicines, vaccines, medical equipment and disaster relief materials to more than 25 African nations over the past five years.
On security cooperation, the minister said India remains committed to supporting peace and stability in Africa through peacekeeping, defence training, maritime cooperation and capacity building. He said Indian military training teams are currently deployed in countries including Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Namibia, while defence personnel from several African nations continue to receive training under the ITEC programme.
India has also participated in several multilateral military exercises with African partners, including AFINDEX, Bright Star, IBSAMAR and AIKEYME, besides conducting bilateral exercises such as Lamitiye with Mauritius and Cyclone with Egypt, he added.
EAM Jaishankar also referred to the postponement of the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit due to the Ebola outbreak earlier this year, saying the decision was taken jointly by India and the African Union. He expressed confidence that the summit would be convened at an early mutually convenient date.
As part of India’s support to African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, EAM Jaishankar announced that New Delhi has already delivered three tranches of assistance under its USD 10 million medical support package for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and partner countries.
Describing Africa as a continent on the cusp of transformation, EAM Jaishankar said its youthful population, abundant natural resources and entrepreneurial energy complement India’s own innovation-led development journey. Together, he said, India and Africa represent a powerful force capable of shaping a more equitable global future.
Concluding his address, EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa, declaring that “Africa is our partner. Africa is our priority.” He stressed that meaningful multipolarity and reformed multilateralism would only be possible when Africa receives its rightful place in global decision-making institutions.
