New Delhi, April 23 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday underscored defence, security and maritime cooperation as central pillars of India-Africa relations, saying the MAHASAGAR vision is guiding joint efforts as New Delhi unveiled the theme, logo and website for the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV).
Jaishankar highlighted collaboration to ensure stability across the Indian Ocean region: working together to combat piracy, maintain safe and open sea lanes, and partner in UN peacekeeping operations. He said MAHASAGAR frames this collective approach to regional security and resilience.
Beyond security, he identified expanding cooperation into new frontiers — digital technologies, fintech and innovation — noting that these areas are reshaping African economies. India seeks deeper co-creation, mutual investment and joint innovation that align with long-term development plans on both sides.
The minister described the summit as an opportunity to deepen ties: a platform to design the next phase of partnership that is more ambitious, inclusive and forward-looking. IAFS-IV will be used to exchange best practices, share successful models and address shared challenges among participating nations.
Announcing the summit theme, Jaishankar presented ‘IA SPIRIT – India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation.’ He said the acronym captures a relationship that transcends transactional ties and is built on shared values, mutual respect and solidarity.
The summit branding features the lion — native to both regions — as a symbol of pride, courage and shared identity; the visual design integrates maps of India and Africa to recall their geological and historical links.
Jaishankar stressed that the partnership aims not only at economic growth but at meaningful transformation: empowering people, strengthening institutions and creating opportunities. In a world of geopolitical and geo-economic turbulence, he said, the India-Africa partnership offers a message of stability, reliability and solidarity.
Concluding his remarks, the minister said that India and Africa are partners not just in development but in shaping a better world together. (Source: ANI)
