India and Africa share deep and historic relations that are rooted in trust, solidarity, and shared development priorities. These ties date back millennia through trade across the Indian Ocean, cultural exchanges, and enduring people-to-people contacts. The relationship was further shaped and strengthened in the 20th Century through our shared struggle against the scourge of colonialism and apartheid. The relationship started developing in the true sense once our countries attained independence and became masters of our own destinies.
In contemporary times, India–Africa relations have evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership encompassing political engagement, economic cooperation, development partnership, capacity building, and cultural and people to people exchanges.
India’s engagement with Africa is guided by the ten principles articulated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi which focus on mutual respect, equality, and a demand-driven development partnership aligned with African priorities, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In 2018, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi articulated ten guiding principles for India’s engagement with Africa
“Africa will be at the top of our priorities”
“Our development partnership will be guided by your priorities”
“We will keep our markets open and make it easier and more attractive to trade with India”
“We will harness India’s experience with digital revolution to support Africa’s development”
“We will work with you to improve Africa’s agriculture”
“Our partnership will address the challenges of climate change”
“We will strengthen our cooperation and mutual capabilities in combating terrorism and extremism; keeping our cyberspace safe and secure; and, supporting the UN in advancing and keeping peace”
“We will work with African nations to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations”
“Africa does not once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions, but becomes a nursery for the aspirations of Africa’s youth”
“We will work together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice and a role for one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India”
