The India and Africa partnership has come a long way from the days of common struggle against colonialism to an evolving and multifaceted 21^st century partnership under the framework of South-South Cooperation. The establishment of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) platform in 2008 marked a significant milestone as it provided a platform for India to engage constructively, and deliberate on issues of mutual interests with African nations. Changes in the global profiles of India and African countries have given a new sense of direction and purpose to the interaction between both parties. One of the primary indicators of this shift was PM Modi’s enunciation of the ‘Ten Guiding Principles for India-Africa Engagement’, commonly known as the Kampala Principles, during his address at the Ugandan Parliament in 2018. These 10 principles form the bedrock of India’s approach towards development partnership with African countries. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, India stood in solidarity with Africa. India’s blend of developmental packages, technology transfer and skill and infrastructure development programmes directed towards African countries is in accordance with Africa’s needs and has been widely appreciated by African governments and people.

The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during the Indian presidency of G20 Summit in 2023 is a testament to the importance India attaches to developing a strong partnership with the African continent. It also marked a milestone for the continent in terms of becoming an integral part of global discourse and the fostering of new and stronger partnerships with the world as well as with India in particular. Indeed a rising India and a resilient Africa are coming closer to seize new opportunities to deepen and expand a mutually beneficial relationship.

With a view to suggesting ways to enhance this partnership,  the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses is organising the Fifth India-Africa Strategic Dialogue (IASD) on the theme, “India and Africa: Partnership for the Next Decade” on 25-27 March, 2025 in New Delhi.  The objective of the India Africa Strategic Dialogue is to build on existing partnerships between African countries and India, and to explore new areas of convergence for mutual engagement.

The upcoming dialogue will focus on the following themes:

Session 1: Framework for Cooperation

Session 2: Partnership for Deepening Trade and Investment Ties

Session 3: Partnership in Multilateral Forums and Global Governance Reforms

Session 4: Defence Cooperation and Maritime Security

Session 5: Partnership in Critical Minerals and Energy Security

Session I:  Framework for Cooperation

India and Africa share a long history of interactions in political, economic and cultural realm. India has partnered with Africa in the anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles in the last century.  In the past decade, India entered into a structured relationship and has emerged as an important development partner for African countries. More recently in 2018, during an address to the Ugandan parliament Prime Minister Narendra Modi enunciated his vision of India- Africa partnership through the “Ten guiding principles for India- Africa engagement”. This session will focus on understanding the current framework of India- Africa partnership and will deliberate on the following issues:

1. What are main priorities that shape India’s partnership with African countries?
2. What are priorities and challenges that impact on African countries’ partnership with India?

Session II: Partnership for Deepening Trade and Investment Ties

India’s strategy to enhance its trade and investment relations with African countries largely entails an integrated approach, comprising, inter alia, integrating the continent to the Global Value Chain (GVC), strengthening Africa’s infrastructure and connectivity, and facilitating trade finance in Africa. Trade between India and Africa has grown from $ 68.5 billion in 2011-12 to $ 83.34 billion in 2023-24, making India Africa’s third-largest trading partner. India’s cumulative investments in Africa amount to $ 75 billion. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is operational, and can provide an opportunity for Indian investors to tap into a unified African market and assist in value addition of African products which would integrate the continent into GVC and give the continent an added advantage.

1. What are the opportunities for increasing two-way trade and investment ties between India and Africa?
2. What are the challenges faced by Indian businesses operating in African countries?
3. What are the opportunities for India in Africa’s economic integration in the context of the AfCFTA?

Session III: Partnership in Multilateral Forums and Global Governance Reforms

India and Africa’s partnership strives to achieve greater autonomy and ensure that the agenda of the global South is prioritised. India has always been a vocal proponent of supporting greater African representation in global multilateral organisations. Democratic reforms in institutions of global governance are quintessential. That is why India and Africa have voiced their support for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

1. How can India support African Union’s Common African Position in global institutions?
2. What role do African countries have in India’s advocacy for Reformed Multilateralism?
3. How can India and African Union work within the G20 as active contributors towards global financial and economic policy-making?

Session IV: Defence Cooperation and Maritime Security

In recent years African countries have made greater efforts towards evolving a common vision for dealing with the continent’s maritime challenges for sustainable development. These include illegal fishing, drug smuggling, arms trafficking, piracy, natural disasters, sustainable utilisation of ocean resources and blue economy. India and Africa share the waters of the Indo- Pacific region. Cooperation may be enhanced in securing the sea lanes, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). This session will explore the following issues:

1. What are the maritime security challenges faced by India and African countries?
2. What is the scope of enhancing maritime cooperation with African countries?

Session V: Partnership in Critical Minerals and Energy Security

Globally, the transition to clean energy sources has intensified the need for critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium and nickel. These minerals play a central role in manufacturing clean technology equipment, such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and batteries. They are also vital for manufacturing defence and electric equipment. India remains largely dependent on import for energy transition minerals and their compounds. It is crucial for African nations to leverage the global demand for minerals to pursue their own developmental agenda. In order to create resilient supply chains and reduce dependence on dominant global players, it is crucial to identify synergies between India’s Critical Mineral Mission and the African Green Mineral Strategy.

1. What are the prospects for India and African countries cooperating in the field of strategic minerals?
2. How can India enhance its renewable energy footprint while supporting Africa’s energy transition and provide clean, affordable and accessible energy?

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