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Africa Day Event on the theme “India–Africa Partnership: Towards a Common Future”
Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026 | Time: 0930 hrs to 1330 hrs | Venue: MP-IDSA Auditorium.
Concept Note
Africa Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU). In 2026, this day serves as a critical juncture for India and Africa’s partnership as both regions converge towards their long-term developmental visions: India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and the AU’s Agenda 2063. In an era defined by “polycrisis” – characterised by geopolitical fragmentation, climate volatility, fiscal constraints, contracting developmental aid and disrupted supply chains – the India-Africa partnership has come a long way from the days of common struggle against colonialism to an evolving and multifaceted partnership in the 21st century under the framework of South-South cooperation. This partnership embodies “Ubuntu” – I am because we are – and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – The World is One Family – positioning India and Africa as engines of the Global South. The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 in September 2023 under the Indian presidency marked a historic moment in our ties. It served as a reflection of Africa’s growing influence and importance on the global stage and as a testament to the priority which India places on strengthening its partnership with the continent. Indeed, a rising India and resilient Africa are coming together to seize new opportunities to deepen and expand a mutually beneficial partnership.
As India deepens its strategic partnership with Africa and works towards hosting the fourth edition of the India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) is organising a roundtable discussion to commemorate ‘Africa Day 2026’ to foster a deeper understanding of the current dynamics of India-Africa relations and explore innovative approaches for collaboration across various sectors. MP-IDSA has a distinguished history of serving as a dedicated platform for promoting friendship and collaboration between India and Africa. The institute commemorates Africa Day annually and periodically hosts the India Africa Strategic Dialogue (IASD) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The fifth edition of IASD was hosted from 24-25 March 2025 and saw the participation of ten African speakers and other Indian and international participants. MP-IDSA also hosts African academics and practitioners under the ‘India Africa Security Fellowship’ Programme to foster vibrant exchange of knowledge and expertise. Till date, MP-IDSA has hosted four India-Africa Security Fellows from Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
With a view to suggesting ways to enhance India and Africa’s partnership, MP-IDSA is hosting a roundtable discussion to celebrate “Africa Day 2026” on the theme “Africa-India Partnership: Towards a Common Future”. Following the Inaugural session, the discussions are organised into three sessions dealing with specific issues: Africa-India in a World in Flux; The Challenge of Energy Resilience; Maritime Security and the Blue Economy.
Session I: Africa-India in a World in Flux
- What are the main priorities and challenges that shape and impact Africa’s partnership with India?
- As geopolitical realignments intensify and global power dynamics shift, how can African countries and India navigate a world in flux to create and sustain a more balanced, multipolar world order?
- How can both regions work to align their long-term strategies – India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and the AU’s Agenda 2063 – to foster sustainable growth?
Session II: The Challenge of Energy Resilience
- What are the prospects for India and African countries cooperating in the field of strategic minerals?
- How can India and Africa collaborate to ensure energy resilience which is vital to mitigate critical, long-term risk to supply chains following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz?
- How can India enhance its renewable energy footprint while supporting Africa’s energy transition and provide clean, affordable and accessible energy?
Session III: Maritime Security and the Blue Economy
- With maritime security cooperation emerging as a critical subset within broader India-Africa security partnership, how can India and African countries cooperate to secure vital trade routes, protect marine resources and counter non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean Region?
- How can African countries and India leverage the blue economy opportunities of the Indian Ocean Region as a driver for sustainable development and partnerships?
- How can African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and India cooperate to address shared vulnerabilities like climate change, ocean pollution sustainable development, and resilient coastal infrastructure?
