IAFS IV: Renewing a Strategic Partnership
As India prepares to host the 4th India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV) in New Delhi from 28 to 31 May 2026 in collaboration with the African Union Commission, India–Africa relations stand at a moment of structured transformation. Rooted in centuries of maritime trade across the Indian Ocean, cultural exchanges, and enduring people-to-people contacts, the partnership has evolved through shared struggles against colonialism and apartheid and strengthened further after independence as newly sovereign nations shaped their development trajectories.
In contemporary times, India–Africa relations have grown into a multi-dimensional partnership spanning political engagement, economic cooperation, development assistance, capacity building, and cultural exchange. India’s Africa policy is guided by ten principles articulated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing mutual respect, equality, and demand-driven development aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063.
IAFS IV, being held under the theme “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation,” comes after a decade-long gap since the 2015 Summit. That Summit significantly expanded India’s development partnership across Africa and set priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. Since then, India has deepened its diplomatic footprint by opening 17 new missions across Africa, bringing its total presence to 46, reflecting sustained long-term commitment.
In keeping with the importance attached to the Summit and India’s enduring engagement with Africa, the Honorable President and the Honorable Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tunisia have been cordially invited to participate in the Summit.
The global conditions have changed considerably, shaped by supply chain disruptions, climate challenges, technological shifts, and geopolitical uncertainties. These developments necessitate not only expansion of cooperation but also a recalibration of its structure and delivery mechanisms.
India–Tunisia: From Foundations to Institutional Depth
India and Tunisia share a historically rooted and politically significant partnership shaped by common values and parallel post-colonial experiences. Leaders such as President Habib Bourguiba and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation of this relationship, grounded in secularism, non-alignment, and mutual respect. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1958, both countries have maintained consistent cooperation in multilateral forums and strengthened ties in democracy, education, and development. Our relations have gradually evolved from political intent to structured implementation. Recent engagements, including the 6th Foreign Office Consultations in March 2026, have reinforced institutional linkages within the broader India–Africa dialogue architecture.
Within the IAFS framework, our cooperation has expanded across technical and scientific domains. A notable example of structured scientific collaboration is the twinning of the Institute Pasteur of Tunis with India’s International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology. This partnership focuses on vaccine research, biotechnology, and long-term institutional capacity building, marking a shift toward knowledge-driven cooperation.
In addition, several forward-looking initiatives under the IAFS framework are being developed in Tunisia, including a soil and water testing laboratory and an ICT Centre of Excellence. These initiatives reflect a growing emphasis on sector-specific institutional partnerships aligned with national development priorities.
India’s engagement with Africa, including Tunisia, has long been anchored in capacity building. Tunisia benefits from 100 training slots annually under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) also provides fully funded scholarships for higher education. Since 2009, 26 Tunisian nationals have received the CV Raman International Fellowships for African Researchers.
This cooperation extends to targeted training initiatives, including programmes for young Tunisian diplomats at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, specialised counter-terrorism training for security personnel, and courses in e-governance and cybersecurity for senior administrators in New Delhi.
The next phase of cooperation under IAFS IV is increasingly focused on institutional co-creation. Priority areas include digital infrastructure, health systems, agriculture, and emerging technologies, with an emphasis on joint capacity building and locally adapted development solutions rather than assistance-based models.
Deepening Economic Engagement: Beyond Trade to Value Chains
India–Africa economic engagement has expanded steadily but remains concentrated in select sectors. A key priority is diversification into manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and services, along with deeper integration into regional and global value chains. Particular emphasis is placed on pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, renewable energy, and critical minerals, leveraging India’s industrial and technological strengths alongside Africa’s resource base.
Tunisia is among India’s key partners in North Africa. Phosphate trade remains a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations, anchored by the Tunisian Indian Fertilizers (TIFERT) joint venture, which has the potential to generate more than USD 500 million in foreign exchange earnings for Tunisia while also providing employment to over 600 people. Indian companies including Larsen & Toubro, Kalpataru Power, Mahindra, and Tata Motors are actively contributing to Tunisia’s infrastructure and industrial development, with flagship projects such as the Zarat Desalination Plant signifying the depth of our cooperation.
Bilateral trade stood at US$ 521.71 million in 2024–25, with both sides setting an ambitious target of US$ 1 billion. The forthcoming Summit is expected to advance this trajectory by strengthening investment facilitation, expanding cooperation among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting deeper industrial partnerships.
Shaping a Future-Ready India–Africa Partnership
The Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit offers an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Digital transformation and innovation are reshaping African economies, and India’s experience with digital public infrastructure, particularly the Unified Payments Interface, offers scalable models for inclusive growth.
At the same time, collaboration continues to expand in climate action, renewable energy, and resilient infrastructure through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Global Biofuels Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. African countries remain important partners in these global efforts, reflecting shared commitments to sustainability and resilience.
As External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has noted, the Summit will help shape a partnership that is more ambitious, inclusive, and future-oriented—focused not only on economic growth but also on empowering people and strengthening institutions. In an uncertain global environment, the India–Africa partnership stands as a pillar of stability, reliability, and solidarity, contributing to a more balanced and resilient international order.
TunisianMonitorNews (By H.E. Dr. Devyani Uttam Khobragade Ambassador of India to Tunisia)
