Opening Remarks by Amb Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General, MP-IDSA, New Delhi, India

Special Address by H E Amb Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of Republic of South Africa to India

Keynote Address by Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, India

Session 1: Framework for Cooperation

Chair: Amb Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General, MP-IDSA, New Delhi, India

Speakers:

Dr Sharkdam Wapmuk, Associate Professor and Head, Dept of Defence and Security Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigeria

Dr Folashadé Soulé, Senior Research Associate, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, UK

Prof David Monyae, Associate Professor of Political Science and IR, Co-Director University of Johannesburg Confucius Institute and Centre for Africa China Studies, South Africa

Ms Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi, India

Session II: Partnership for Deepening Trade and Investment Ties

Chair: Amb Gurjit Singh, Former Indian Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union, Hon. Professor, IIT Indore, New Delhi, India

Speakers:

Prof Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor of Economics and former Chair of Dept, Allegheny College, US

Mr Kwame Owino, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya

Prof Hebatallah Adam, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Jindal School of International Affairs, India

Session III: Partnership in Multilateral Forum and Global Governance Reforms

Chair: Prof Ajay Dubey, Professor, School of International Studies, JNU, India

Speakers:

Amb Ruchira Kamboj, Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York and former Indian High

Commissioner to South Africa

Mr Aly Verjee, Senior Associate, Amani Africa and Researcher at University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Dr Kwaku Danso, Dean, Faculty of Academic Affairs, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, Ghana

Session IV: Defence Cooperation and Maritime Security

Chair: VAdm Shekhar Sinha (Retd), Chairman, Board of Trustees, India Foundation, New Delhi

Speakers:

Mr Raj Mohabeer, Officer in Charge, Indian Ocean Commission, Mauritius

Capt Sarabjeet S Parmar (Retd), Distinguished Fellow, Council for Defence and Strategic Research, New Delhi, India

Dr Nicodemus M Minde, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies, Nairobi, Kenya

Session V: Partnership in Critical Minerals and Energy Security

Chair: Dr Shailly Kedia, Senior Fellow and Associate Director, The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India

Speakers:

Dr Annika Bose Styczynski, Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Research & International Collaboration, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana, India

Dr Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of International Relations, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gujarat, India

Dr Sandipani Dash, Assistant Professor, Department of African Studies, University of Delhi, India

Vote of Thanks: Dr Abhishek Mishra, Associate Fellow, MP-IDSA, New Delhi, India

EXEUTIVE SUMMARY

The 5^th IASD (25-26 March 2025) hosted by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) underscored the importance of India-Africa partnership and proposed new areas of cooperation that can be further explored to strengthen their ties. MP-IDSA undertook this initiative in the wake of the African Union’s (AU) inclusion as a permanent member in the G20 under Indian G20 Presidency in 2023 and in the run up to a possible fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) to be held later in the year. The opening remarks stressed that India and Africa’s relation will continue to be anchored on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutually beneficial partnerships which are centred on Africa’s priorities. The special remarks called upon the African diplomatic corps in India to have sustained and regular interactions with their Indian counterparts and highlighted the role of think tanks, universities, and academic research in strengthening the India-Africa partnership. The special remarks called for greater involvement of the Indian private sector in areas like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy transition, education and skills development and digital public infrastructure.

Session I highlighted the bilateral dimension of India-Africa partnership and noted that as India has emerged as an important partner at a time when African nations are pursuing strategic autonomy through diversification of international partnerships. From a steady and incremental approach, the partnership has now evolved into a dynamic one with greater diplomatic engagement. Session II examined how India can maximise trade and investment relations with Africa and called for Indian private companies to set up manufacturing hubs and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Africa and work together with African partners to create an alternative global value chain under the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Session III emphasised the unfair distribution of power in the current global governance system and the need to reform multilateral institutions. Participants highlighted India’s consistent support for encouraging greater African representation and voices in institutions of global governance if the world is to truly become inclusive. Session IV discussed defence and security ties and underscored that Africa occupies a central position in both of India’s primary and secondary areas of maritime interest. Participants discussed the evolution of India’s maritime outlook in the Indian Ocean from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR and the importance of enhancing maritime domain awareness, capacity building programmes, and building on new initiatives like the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME 2025). Session V examined how India and African countries can partner together in the field of strategic minerals and how India can enhance its renewable energy footprint while supporting Africa’s energy transition and provide clean, affordable and accessible energy. In exploiting critical mineral resources, India and African countries must consider the corporate social responsibility diligently.

Inaugural Session

Opening Remarks by Amb Sujan R Chinoy, Director General, MP-IDSA, New Delhi, India

• The India-Africa Dialogue (IASD) hosted by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) is a useful platform to discuss the various aspects of a rapidly and deeply evolving partnership. It aids India’s policy and helps to redefine and transform relations with countries in the African continent.
• The presence of a large Indian diaspora, along with Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals which shaped the struggles of the people of South Africa, provided the foundations for India’s linkages with Africa.
• More recently, India facilitated the entry of the African Union (AU) into the G20 during its Presidency in 2023. Today, as part of the Global South, there is a need to work together to address challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, food and energy security and the adverse impact of rapidly evolving technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data colonization on developing countries.
• Geo-politics and geo-economics are increasingly interlinked and India’s future is intertwined with the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. With the eastern coast of Africa being an integral part of this region, developments there are of interest and concern to India. In the midst of current global disruptions, India and Africa must work together to build a value-based future and lead the world in a better direction.
• Africa remains a priority for Prime Minister Modi in his third term. The outreach and engagement of the last decade is set to gain new momentum. India is ready to work with Africa as an equal partner, with opportunities to deepen engagement in the security sector through anti-piracy patrols and counter-terrorism exercises.
• The MAHASAGAR initiative recently announced by the Indian Prime Minister adds further value and scope and therefore the role of scholars become critical in taking it to the next level.
• The India-Africa partnership is anchored on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutually beneficial partnerships which are centred on Africa’s priorities. The concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific is further strengthening relations, where individual priorities and interests are being reflected in this dynamic space.

Special Remarks by H E Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of Republic of South Africa to India

• The Bandung Conference of 1955 set the template for a close and strategic partnership between Asia and Africa. The role played by India during the conference provided the foundation upon which India and Africa’s ties rest. The Ten Principles for India-Africa Engagement elaborated by PM Modi in 2018 are an important template for the future partnership as it has various synergies with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
• While there have been setbacks in advancing Agenda 2063, the establishment of the continental wide African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on May 30, 2019 is expected to accelerate intra-African trade by 25% by 2035, requiring strong partnerships.
• Over the decades there has been a proliferation of partnerships with the African continent, which is a good sign. However, there are questions on whether these partnerships are working towards advancing Africa’s goals and priorities.
• India is a trusted friend for Africa without any political baggage and no intent to disturb or influence the sovereignty and autonomy of any African nation. India must seek to leverage its tremendous goodwill across the continent. In this regard, all sectors of the society need to step up with private businesses having a critical role to play in driving this process. The large number of Indian private sector companies operating across the continent is a clear indication that India views Africa as an important partner for mutual benefit and addressing shared economic challenges.
• Think tanks, universities and academic scholars have a vital role in shaping this partnership. By studying the various aspects of the partnership, policy-makers, practitioners and officials could be better informed and help them make the right choices.
• There is a need to re-organise the Africa Group (diplomatic corps) in India in order to fully leverage the opportunities in addition to having more regular and sustained interactions between the African Ambassadors and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials to discuss key issues of mutual interest.

Keynote Address by Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi

• The geo-political shift from the Trans-Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific makes only the eastern part of Africa relevant in terms of the strategic thinking, the India-Africa partnership has to become more inclusive by also having an Indo-Atlantic dimension.
• Two narratives are emerging as the world is become more multilateral: development for Africa and development by Africa and Africans. From emerging as an aid recipient continent to driving its own growth agenda, the African continent is shaping its own destiny. The current multilateral institutions set up in the post-Second World War period through the Washington consensus seeking structural changes in developing countries has not delivered, particularly in promoting growth in Africa which continues to face health and education challenges.
• Today, the G20 is enriched following the inclusion of the African Union. The task of making it credible and relevant requires the need to harness the talents towards shaping the future development and growth.
• The concept of development and security are interlinked more closely than ever. The African continent is facing numerous challenges in maintaining peace and stability. The challenges have further broadened to energy security, food security, health security, and education. With the widening in the scope of security and development, the future partnerships that Africa would forge should include these new parameters.
• The India-Africa partnership, while on the right trajectory, needs to grow in a number of areas. This includes in the area of trade, one reason for this being the unavailability of hot currencies which could be addressed by doing trade in local currencies, introducing fin-tech solutions, and barter trade. This requires enabling greater investments through Public Private Partnerships and addressing the existing knowledge gaps for doing business in Africa.
• Indian entrepreneurship needs to collaborate with Africa in areas like education and skill formation, energy transition, and agricultural production, and development. These gaps could be filled by entrepreneurs’, not through grants but through commercial partnerships tailored to local needs of African people. India would be a good partner for collaboration in developing a digital public infrastructure which would be key towards reducing the developmental gaps, through the application of new technologies.

Key Takeaways:

• The African Union needs to be the anchor of all partnerships to ensure the overall development and growth of Africa, this collective action will provide better leverage than working individually.
• There is a need to consciously work on reducing the knowledge gap in terms of business policies through greater interaction on various platforms.
• India is a net food exporting country, while Africa despite having a large land mass, and remains a net importer of food. The defining aspect of this partnership would be how India can help Africa move from being a net importer to achieving food self-sufficiency, through the application of new technologies.
• The one ocean concept would be the key towards dealing with the shared challenges being confronted especially in the security front.
• India proposes to host the next India-Africa Forum Summit in the second half of 2025.
• Africa needs many partners with each bringing their individual expertise in which India can help, especially in the area of education and skill development which is a critical area for its future growth.
• Despite our shared historical relations and vision of a multi-polar world order that reflects the current realities, the future strength of the partnership would be shaped by deeper people-to-people interaction which would help reduce the existing knowledge gap and enhance engagements.
• There are major positives in terms of the strategic partnership but much needs to be done on the part of Africa through deeper engagements and undertaking collaborations with private India businesses.

Report prepared by Dr Temjenmeren Ao