NEW DELHI: India's economic and development cooperation with Africa is set to receive a significant boost as the government prepares to host the 4th India-Africa summit later this month, after a hiatus of 11 years. The summit will focus on key areas such as agriculture, health, defence, technology, and people-to-people connections.
Summit Delayed by Pandemic but Engagements Continued
Although the summit was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, official sources highlight that there has been no shortage of interactions between India and Africa over the past decade. During this period, India witnessed around 50 high-level visits to Africa, while nearly 100 visits from African leaders to India took place, underscoring the sustained diplomatic momentum.
Major Initiatives Expected
According to sources, the government is likely to announce substantial initiatives to ramp up development assistance for Africa at the summit. The event is expected to see participation from more than 40 heads of state or government. At the previous summit, India announced a concessional $10 billion line of credit for Africa, a region where China continues to expand its economic and strategic influence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also announced a $600 million grant assistance for Africa, under which India has already fulfilled all its commitments. The upcoming summit is anticipated to build on these foundations, further strengthening India-Africa relations through new partnerships and enhanced cooperation.
