External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the India-Africa partnership has special importance as the world faces mounting geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, offering a message of stability and reliability in uncertain times. His remarks came during the launch of the logo, theme and website for the India-Africa Forum Summit IV.
The unveiling, attended by ambassadors and diplomats from across Africa, showed a logo featuring a lion over interlocked maps of India and Africa and introduced the theme Enduring Partnership Shared Vision. The summit is scheduled for January 28–31. Jaishankar described the meeting as a distinct opportunity to deepen ties and build a partnership that is more ambitious, inclusive and future-focused.
Against the backdrop of multiple global crises, including the prolonged West Asia conflict, he said closer India-Africa cooperation will signal solidarity and steadiness. Africa occupies a central place in India’s foreign policy, he added, with engagement guided by equality, mutual respect and shared progress.
Highlighting practical steps, Jaishankar noted India has opened 17 new missions in Africa in recent years, bringing the total to 46 and marking a new chapter in bilateral relations under the IAFS framework. He traced the relationship to long-standing civilizational links, centuries of cultural exchange and India’s historic solidarity with African nations during anti-colonial struggles.
Jaishankar positioned India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and Africa’s Agenda 2063 as complementary roadmaps for inclusive, sustainable development. He also underlined India’s push to strengthen Africa’s voice in global governance, referencing the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 during India’s 2023 presidency.
Beyond diplomacy, he emphasized development cooperation and capacity building, along with defence, security and maritime collaboration guided by the MAHASAGAR vision to preserve stability in the Indian Ocean region and protect vital sea lanes.
