India has reaffirmed Africa as a strategic priority, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressing that peace and security on the continent are vital to India’s interests.

At the Africa Day 2026 event in New Delhi, he highlighted defence training, maritime cooperation, multilateral exercises, and India’s readiness to reconvene the postponed Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underscored that peace and security in Africa are of vital importance to India. He noted that India has consistently stood with African partners through peacekeeping, defence training, capacity building, and maritime cooperation.

He emphasised that these efforts are guided by Vision MAHASAGAR, which focuses on safer sea lanes, stronger maritime domain awareness, anti-piracy measures, and cooperative responses to emerging challenges.

Indian military training teams are currently engaged in capacity-building initiatives in Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Namibia. At the same time, professionals from Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Namibia are benefiting from India’s ITEC training slots. These initiatives reflect India’s long-term commitment to strengthening African defence capacities.

Jaishankar highlighted India’s active participation in multilateral defence and maritime exercises with African countries. These include the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) 2023, Bright Star in 2023 and 2025, the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR) in 2024, and the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) scheduled for 2025 in Tanzania. Bilaterally, India conducts Exercise Lamitiye with Mauritius and Exercise Cyclone with Egypt, reinforcing operational cooperation with key African partners.

He reiterated India’s commitment to reconvening the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-4), which was postponed earlier this year due to an Ebola outbreak. The decision to postpone was jointly taken by India and the African Union, and New Delhi remains in close contact with African partners to identify a mutually convenient opportunity to reconvene the summit.

EAM Jaishankar also recalled the significance of Africa Day, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, now known as the African Union. He said the day represents the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the collective aspirations of the African people. He added that India and Africa share deep bonds, with their peoples’ hearts “beating in rhythm,” and together they represent a powerful force for global progress.

He further emphasised that Africa is India’s partner and priority in a multipolar world order and reformed multilateralism. India strongly supports Africa’s rightful representation in a reformed United Nations Security Council and seeks African support for India’s permanent membership.

He also pointed out that India has emerged as one of Africa’s largest trade and investment partners, with bilateral trade reaching $93 billion last year and cumulative investments exceeding $80 billion across sectors such as telecommunications, energy, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital services.

India’s development cooperation with Africa has been extensive, with 190 lines of credit worth more than $10 billion extended for projects in over 40 African countries. More than 220 projects have been implemented, ranging from infrastructure to healthcare. India has also pledged $10 million worth of in-kind medical equipment and support to the Africa CDC and partner countries at risk, reflecting its commitment to Africa’s health security.

Jaishankar concluded by stressing that India’s engagement with Africa is inclusive, demand-driven, and focused on strengthening local capacities. He invoked the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—and Africa’s outlook of Ubuntu—I am because we are—highlighting the shared values that underpin the partnership.

ANI