New Delhi, 23 April (H.S.): External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated on Thursday in the logo, theme, and website‑launch event for the fourth India–Africa Forum Summit. The programme was attended by ambassadors of African countries, underscoring the growing diplomatic engagement between India and the African continent.

During the event, Jaishankar emphasised the need to further strengthen the India–Africa partnership, describing it as a development‑driven, demand‑based relationship anchored in African priorities and local ownership. He highlighted the growing convergence in key emerging areas, including digital innovation, fintech, and other sectors poised to transform African economies, and underlined that India’s cooperation model is consultative, participative, and tailored to the priorities set by African partners.

Jaishankar noted that the India–Africa relationship is built on a shared history of struggles, solidarity, and common aspirations. He reiterated India’s support for the inclusion of the African Union in the G20, calling it a step towards a more equitable and representative global architecture.

The minister said that the partnership is guided by the principles of equality, respect, and mutual progress, and is moving towards shaping a more inclusive and just global order within the broader framework of the Global South.

He added that the upcoming India–Africa Forum Summit will define the next phase of this partnership, which will be more ambitious, more inclusive, and more future‑oriented. The summit, he said, will provide a platform for exchanging best practices, sharing success stories, and discussing shared challenges in depth. Jaishankar also stressed the importance of deepening collaboration in initiatives related to sustainability, including the International Solar Alliance and other multilateral coalitions, and pointed to rising diplomatic engagement and shared historical ties as the foundation for India and Africa to jointly build a more inclusive and resilient future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar