New Delhi, May 10 (H.S.): India is preparing to host the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on May 31, 2026, in a move aimed at further deepening strategic, economic and developmental ties with African nations.

Being organised in partnership with the African Union Commission, the summit is expected to bring together Heads of State, senior ministers and representatives from across the African continent for wide-ranging discussions on future cooperation and global partnerships.

Held under the theme “IA SPIRIT: India-Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation,” the summit seeks to strengthen collaboration in areas such as trade, technology, healthcare, digital infrastructure, food security and sustainable development, while aligning India’s growth vision with Africa’s long-term Agenda 2063 framework.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally launched the summit’s logo, theme and official website on April 23, marking the beginning of preparations for one of India’s most significant multilateral diplomatic engagements with Africa.

A series of high-level meetings will precede the main summit. Senior officials from participating countries are scheduled to meet on May 28 to prepare the agenda and key policy discussions, followed by the India-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 29. The final summit on May 31 will see participation from leaders and regional organisations across the African continent.

The India-Africa Forum Summit process began in 2008 in New Delhi and has since evolved into a major platform for South-South cooperation. Previous summits held in New Delhi and Addis Ababa laid the foundation for long-term strategic collaboration between India and African nations through declarations and partnership frameworks focused on development and mutual growth.

Apart from diplomatic engagements, IAFS-IV will also feature business, cultural and intellectual exchanges aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties. Planned events include an India-Africa Business Dialogue and Exhibition, Track-II discussions involving think tanks and academic institutions, as well as music, dance and public art collaborations celebrating the shared cultural connections between India and Africa.

Officials say the summit is expected to outline a fresh roadmap for cooperation based on mutual respect, equality and shared prosperity, further reinforcing India’s growing engagement with Africa on the global stage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar