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Rajiv Bhatia
Discussing a partnership between India, a country, and Africa, a continent of 54 countries, may sound asymmetrical. Still, two factors justify doing so: empathy and support for Africa in India are matched by admiration and respect that most Africans feel for India’s success as the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing large economy. Each, home to 1.4 billion people, can help the other secure its vision of good governance and prosperity.
Hence, the evolution of the partnership between India and Africa in the 2020s is a subject of global interest. The India-Africa partnership needs to be assessed across four vital dimensions: multilateral, continental, regional, and bilateral.
The multilateral dimension begins with the United Nations, where India and Africa have collaborated for decades on decolonization, economic development, peacekeeping, and UN reform. India continues to contribute to UN peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Western Sahara.
India played a key leadership role as G20 President (2022–23) in securing full membership of the African Union (AU). India also supported Egypt and Ethiopia’s entry into BRICS.
The India-Africa Forum Summit, launched in 2008, strengthened continental engagement. Additional summits were held in 2011 and 2015. The next summit is expected in 2026, providing an opportunity for renewed Global South dialogue.
India has engaged Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as EAC, COMESA, and SADC through trade, investment, and business cooperation, supported by CII and FICCI. Renewed political leadership is required to deepen these ties.
Bilateral engagement remains the strongest pillar. India has opened 18 new embassies across Africa, enhancing diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people connections.
Between 2022 and 2025, India conducted 12 high-level VVIP visits involving leaders from 17 African countries, covering West, North, East, and Southern Africa.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied vaccines, medicines, and medical equipment to African nations, demonstrating solidarity and leadership.
India-Africa trade reached approximately USD 103 billion in 2025. India aims to raise this to USD 200 billion by 2030. India’s cumulative investment of USD 80 billion in Africa must also expand and diversify.
Culture, education, skill development, think tanks, universities, NGOs, and media play a vital role in strengthening ties. With a combined population of 2.8 billion, deeper engagement is essential.
The multi-dimensional India-Africa partnership holds strong promise. However, greater political commitment, financial investment, and strategic focus are required to elevate it to the next level.
Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia is a Distinguished Fellow at Gateway House, Mumbai. He is a former Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, South Africa, and Lesotho, and served as Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) from 2012 to 2015. His book India-Africa Relations: Changing Horizons (Routledge, 2022) received critical acclaim.
