India Africa Bilateral Relations:
India’s renewed diplomatic push towards Africa has triggered debate after experts highlighted the need to “connect, build and revive” India–Africa ties ahead of the next India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV).Centuries-old Indian Ocean trade in gold, spices and textiles built deep sociocultural links, reinforced by Gujarati merchant networks and shared experiences of colonial exploitation. India championed African liberation movements through NAM, supported anti-apartheid struggles, and coordinated decolonisation diplomacy at the UN throughout the Cold War. Economic reforms shifted India’s Africa policy toward investments, ITEC-driven capacity building, and joint positions in WTO, climate negotiations and UN Security Council reform efforts. IAFS-III united all 54 African nations; India opened 17 new embassies, scaled digital and development partnerships, and secured AU’s permanent membership in the G20 in 2023.
