HARARE, May 13 (NewsDay Live) – India’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bramha Kumar says the ongoing India-Africa Forum Summit IV in New Delhi represents a defining moment in deepening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between India and the African continent.
Speaking during a reception hosted at Zimbabwe House on Tuesday evening, Kumar described the summit as a strategic platform reinforcing centuries-old ties rooted in trade, solidarity and shared development goals.
“These ties date back millennia through trade across the Indian Ocean, cultural exchanges and enduring people-to-people contacts,” Kumar said.
“The relationship was further shaped and strengthened in the 20th century through our shared struggle against colonialism and apartheid.”
Kumar said India-Africa relations had evolved into a broad-based partnership covering infrastructure, trade, education, healthcare, technology transfer and political cooperation, guided by principles of mutual respect and demand-driven development.
He said India continued to champion Africa’s inclusion in global governance systems, citing New Delhi’s role during its G20 presidency in securing permanent membership for the African Union in the G20.
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India also backed the inclusion of Egypt and Ethiopia into BRICS during the 2023 Johannesburg summit and supports Africa’s representation in a reformed United Nations Security Council under the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
Trade between India and Africa has reached nearly US$100 billion, while Indian investments on the continent are estimated at US$80 billion between 1996 and 2025, spanning energy, mining, agriculture, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors.
Kumar said Africa remained one of the largest beneficiaries of India’s overseas development assistance, with more than 190 Lines of Credit worth over US$10 billion financing projects in electricity generation, transport, water supply, rural electrification and digital connectivity across 41 African countries.
He also highlighted expanding cooperation in agriculture, education, healthcare, defence, maritime security, renewable energy and digital innovation.
India has provided more than 70,000 scholarships and professional training opportunities to Africans since 2015 under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, while Indian pharmaceutical firms now supply nearly half of Africa’s generic medicines.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied medical assistance and more than 50 million vaccine doses to African countries.
Kumar said Zimbabwe continued to enjoy strong relations with India anchored on trade, education, infrastructure cooperation and longstanding people-to-people ties supported by a vibrant Indian diaspora community.