India-Africa Relations Ahead of IAFS-IV: Key Areas
Why in the news
With the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit approaching, experts urged deeper economic, security and development links.
Key facts
- IAFS-III (2015): all 54 African nations attended.
- Embassies: 17 new ones opened.
- AU: permanent G20 membership secured in 2023.
| Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Trade | $100B (2024-25); $75B FDI; DFTP gives 98.2% tariff-free access to 38 LDCs |
| Development | $10B credit lines for 189 projects in 42 countries; e-VBAB platform |
| Capacity | 40,000+ trained; IIT-M Zanzibar |
| Maritime | AI-KEYME 2025 with 9 navies; UN peacekeeping |
| Digital | UPI and digital public infrastructure |
| Energy | Solar Alliance, green hydrogen, EVs, blue economy |
Evolution
- Ancient Indian Ocean trade and Gujarati merchants.
- Support for liberation movements via NAM and anti-apartheid efforts.
- Post-1990s focus on investment and ITEC training.
Exam angle
- Programmes: ITEC, DFTP, e-VBAB, AI-KEYME.
- Campus: IIT-Madras Zanzibar (2023).