New Delhi: As the world navigates through complex geopolitical challenges, the India-Africa partnership assumes special importance and will be a message of “stability” and “reliability” in a turbulent and uncertain world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday.
Addressing a gathering of people while unveiling the logo, theme and website of the upcoming 4th India-Africa Forum Summit, Jaishankar also emphasized that India and Africa together are not just development partners, but also “partners in shaping a better world”.
His statements come against the backdrop of multiple conflicts in different parts of the world, including the conflict in West Asia that extended for more than 50 days and had global repercussions.
The logo for the upcoming summit features a lion, superimposed on an image depicting interlocking maps of India and Africa.
It bears the slogan “A lasting partnership and a common vision” and the date of the summit is -31.
Jaishankar said the upcoming summit represents a “unique opportunity” to further “deepen our engagement.”
It will provide a platform for shaping the next phase of the partnership, “which is more ambitious, more comprehensive and more future-oriented.”
“As the world navigates complex geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, our partnership takes on special importance.
“It will be a message of stability in a turbulent world, reliability in an uncertain world, and a message of solidarity in difficult times,” Jaishankar said.
He stressed that “India and Africa together are not just partners in development, but also partners in shaping a better world.”
The ceremony was attended by a number of ambassadors and diplomats from various African countries.
Jaishankar also stressed that India has expanded its diplomatic footprint in Africa in recent years by opening 17 new missions across the continent, bringing the number of Indian missions in Africa to 46.
He stressed that Africa occupies a “central place” in India’s foreign policy today, and that New Delhi’s dealings with it are guided by a clear vision rooted in the principle of equality, mutual respect and common progress.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the next chapter in the enduring partnership between India and Africa through the framework of the India-Africa Forum Summit,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister said India-Africa relations are rooted in our “civilizational ties”, which have been strengthened over centuries through cultural exchanges and humanitarian interactions.
He added, “Our ties have been further strengthened as India stands in solidarity with African countries in their struggle against colonialism.”
Emphasizing that the story of India’s freedom struggle is also closely linked to Africa, he said: “Our shared history of struggle, solidarity, resilience and aspirations continues to shape our partnership.”
The Minister stressed that the Vixit Bharat Vision 2047 and Africa Agenda 2063 are two integrated roadmaps towards prosperity and progress through sustainable growth and comprehensive development.
Jaishankar also said that India-Africa engagement has grown across key pillars with several high-level political interactions, as India consistently supports Africa’s rightful place in global governance.
The minister said that a “decisive step” in this direction was the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 during India’s presidency of the group in 2023.
“This reflected our firm belief that the voices of the Global South must shape global governance in the times to come,” he added.
Jaishankar also emphasized that India has placed development cooperation and capacity building programs at the “core of our partnership”.
Defence, security and maritime cooperation plays an important role in the engagement between the two sides, driven by Mahasagar’s vision to ensure stability in the Indian Ocean region and safer sea lanes.
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