External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has outlined a future roadmap to strengthen India’s strategic partnership with Africa, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, development, defence and food security. He shared the vision while addressing African Heads of Mission and senior diplomats during the Africa Day 2026 celebrations held in the national capital on August 5.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the historical and ideological foundations of India-Africa ties, recalling the shared struggle against colonialism and the enduring bond forged through the pursuit of freedom and human dignity. He said India today ranks among Africa’s largest trade and investment partners, with bilateral trade touching USD 93 billion and cumulative Indian investments in the continent exceeding USD 80 billion.
The minister said the Government of India has extended 190 Lines of Credit worth more than USD 10 billion for projects across over 40 African countries. Of these, more than 220 projects valued at USD 4.5 billion have already been completed, while several more are under implementation. He also underlined Africa’s youthful population and abundant natural resources as key strengths complementing India’s innovation-led growth.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to the Global South, Dr. Jaishankar said New Delhi has prioritised food security by supplying food grains to countries including Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Botswana and Sierra Leone. He added that India’s experience in millet cultivation, along with the supply of medicines, vaccines, medical equipment and disaster relief materials to over 25 African nations in the past five years, reflects the depth of the partnership.
In Kolkata, stronger India-Africa economic engagement is expected to create fresh opportunities for exporters and businesses in eastern India. Kolkata, with its established trading ecosystem, logistics infrastructure and proximity to key ports, could benefit from increased demand for engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and project exports as bilateral trade and development cooperation continue to expand.