Context
Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the official logo, theme, and website for the upcoming 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28 to 31, 2026. This summit returns after a decade-long hiatus since the third edition in 2015, signaling a renewed strategic push to solidify India’s role as a reliable partner for the Global South amidst global energy crises and geopolitical shifts.
1. Evolution of the Summit
- IAFS-I (2008): Held in New Delhi; adopted the Delhi Declaration and the Africa-India Framework for Cooperation.
- IAFS-II (2011): Held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; focused on the “Enhanced Partnership” model.
- IAFS-III (2015): Held in New Delhi; saw the largest-ever participation with all 54 African nations invited.
- IAFS-IV (2026): Theme: “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation”.
2. Diplomatic and Institutional Footprint
- Mission Expansion: India has significantly increased its diplomatic presence, opening 17 new missions in Africa since 2018, bringing the total to 46.
- G20 Integration: Under India’s 2023 Presidency, the African Union (AU) was admitted as a permanent member of the G20, a landmark achievement for South-South cooperation.
- Educational Institutions: India has established offshore campuses like IIT Zanzibar (Tanzania) and the National Forensic Science University (Uganda).
3. Economic and Strategic Pillars
- Energy Security: Amidst disruptions in the Gulf, India is diversifying its energy and fertilizer imports, targeting North African nations like Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco for phosphates and gas.
- Development Assistance: Africa is the second-largest recipient of India’s concessional Lines of Credit (LoC).
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Deployment of the “India Stack” (UPI, Cowin, DigiLocker) to help African nations build e-governance systems.
- Maritime Security: Cooperation through the SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and joint exercises like AFINDEX.
4. The “Living Bridge”
- The 3 million-strong Indian diaspora in Africa acts as a socio-economic bridge, contributing to trade, healthcare, and education sectors across the continent.
Q. With reference to the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), consider the following statements:
1. The first India-Africa Forum Summit was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2008.
2. The African Union was granted permanent membership in the G20 during India's Presidency.
3. India currently maintains more than 50 full-fledged diplomatic missions across the African continent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
• STATEMENT 1 IS INCORRECT: The first IAFS was held in New Delhi, India, in 2008. The second summit (2011) was held in Addis Ababa.
• STATEMENT 2 IS CORRECT: In a historic move during the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023), the African Union was made a permanent member of the group.
• STATEMENT 3 IS INCORRECT: As per the latest official updates in April 2026, India has a total of 46 diplomatic missions in Africa, having added 17 new ones recently. It has not yet crossed the 50 mark.
