The Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi was jam-packed, buzzing with the vibrant energy of diplomats, dignitaries, and friends of Africa who gathered to celebrate Africa Day 2025. The occasion was not only a celebration of African unity but a reaffirmation of the deep and enduring partnership between India and Africa. Speaking on the occasion, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered an evocative speech that highlighted India’s steadfast commitment to Africa’s development, sovereignty, and rightful global representation.
Dr. Jaishankar opened with a poignant reminder of India’s historic solidarity with Africa, remarking that “our independence would not be complete until Africa secured theirs.” This sentiment, he noted, has now evolved to encompass the shared aspirations of development, prosperity, and progress. In today’s interconnected world, “when we speak of food, health, and energy security, it is not just a concern about our national prospects. It is equally about the challenges that Africa faces and the solutions that could emerge from international partnerships.”
Acknowledging Challenges, Reaffirming Commitment
Reflecting on the shared trials of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jaishankar condemned the inequities that emerged during that global crisis, calling out the “vaccine apartheid” and the financial decisions that hurt Africa deeply. “The COVID experience was deeply scarring for all of us,” he said, “but most of all, for African people.” He stressed that even today, the lack of meaningful progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is most stark in Africa, which makes it even more vital for India and Africa to “stand together, firm and fast.”
Voice of the Global South
Speaking on India and Africa’s central role in shaping the voice of the Global South, Dr. Jaishankar remarked, “Those who raise queries about the Global South will never understand it, and those who get it will never raise questions.” He stressed that India sees Africa not through the lens of transactional diplomacy, but as a trusted partner with whom it shares common values, concerns, and hopes for a more just and inclusive world order.
Africa’s Place on the Global Stage
Celebrating the African Union’s full membership in the G20 during India’s presidency, Dr. Jaishankar accentuated, “Along with their freedom, they must also be given their due and rightful place in international platforms.” He reiterated India’s support for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, affirming that “Africa must be represented.”
India also supports Africa’s Agenda 2063 and is determined to contribute to its vision of a better, secure, and sustainable future. “India has always been, and will always be, a partner in that journey,” he said.
From Intent to Action: Cooperation Across Sectors
Drawing attention to India’s ten guiding principles for engaging with Africa, as laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted that “Africa’s goals and agenda are India’s priority.” He underscored India’s inclusive, demand-driven model of cooperation that focuses on local capacity building and sustainable growth, distancing itself from the extractive models of the past.
India’s development partnership spans a wide spectrum—from supporting agriculture, digital literacy, and education, to enhancing public service delivery, energy access, and infrastructure. Dr. Jaishankar proudly noted, “In the last decade, we have extended more than $700 million in grant assistance to African countries,” including medical equipment, ambulances, food grain aid, and over 13,000 artificial limbs to patients in 21 countries.
Educational and Diplomatic Footprint
He highlighted India’s growing presence on the continent, with 17 new diplomatic missions in the past few years, bringing the total to 46. Capacity building has been a cornerstone of this engagement, with over 37,000 Africans trained in India under ITEC and ICCR programs in the last 10 years. Initiatives such as the IIT in Zanzibar and various entrepreneurship and IT centres in Africa were cited as strong indicators of India’s commitment to knowledge sharing.
Economic and Strategic Cooperation
India today is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade approaching $100 billion and Indian investments totalling over $75 billion in diverse sectors. The Minister expressed optimism about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), calling it a promising framework for deeper economic integration.
India has also been a strong security partner, focusing on maritime cooperation, anti-piracy operations, and capacity building. Dr. Jaishankar referenced recent transitions from SAGAR to A-SAGAR, and the upcoming “IKMEX-2025” to underline India’s expanding security ties with Africa.
A Shared Technological Future
With technology as a powerful enabler, India is supporting Africa’s digital transformation through UPI integration, national ID systems, and space-based technologies in agriculture, weather forecasting, and resource management. “The launch of UPI and digital national IDs enabling digital payments and greater financial inclusion are proof of this,” said Dr. Jaishankar.
He also called attention to India’s role in facilitating African participation in global platforms like the International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuel Alliance, and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
A Shared History, A Shared Vision
Recognising the historical injustices that Africa has endured, Dr. Jaishankar stated, “India can fully empathise with Africa’s struggle, having been subjected to loot, pillaging, and slavery ourselves in colonial times.” He underlined the need for a “credible accounting of the past if the world is really to be fair,” pointing to how the political reordering of the world remains incomplete without addressing economic, social, and cultural imbalances.
Looking Ahead
As the celebrations came to a close, Dr. Jaishankar announced plans to convene the next India-Africa Forum Summit soon, promising that the event will offer “a more contemporary agenda of cooperation aimed at realising Africa’s aspirations.” He concluded with a quote from Prime Minister Modi’s speech in Africa seven years ago: “If this is to be a century of nations rising together in freedom and equality… if this is a time when our planet has a more hopeful future, then all of this magnificent continent of Africa must walk in step with the rest of the world. India will work with you and help you.”

Source: diplomatist.com
by Kanchi Batra, Managing Editor of The Diplomatist.