India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India and African nations will work together to shape a multipolar world and advance Global South interests.
This diplomatic push signals India's intent to position itself as a primary partner for African states, leveraging shared developmental goals to challenge traditional global power structures.
In a video message released from New Delhi ahead of Africa Day on May 25, 2026 [1], Jaishankar said Africa holds a premier position in India's foreign policy. He said the partnership is designed to promote a world order where power is more broadly distributed among various nations rather than concentrated in a few.
"Africa is a priority partner for India and together we will shape a multipolar world," Jaishankar said [2].
The minister highlighted the strategic importance of the African Union's recent inclusion in the G20, describing it as a seminal step for the Global South [3]. This integration is viewed as a critical mechanism for ensuring that the voices of African nations are heard in the highest levels of global economic governance.
Jaishankar linked India's own domestic ambitions with those of the continent. He noted the alignment between India's development vision, known as "Viksit Bharat 2047" [4], and the African Union's Agenda 2063 [5]. These long-term frameworks focus on sustainable growth, infrastructure, and economic sovereignty.
"India stands with Africa in advancing the interests of the Global South through deeper partnership and collaboration," Jaishankar said [6].
Africa Day is observed annually on May 25 [7]. The minister's message underscores a broader strategy to strengthen bilateral ties through cooperation on development and diplomacy, a move that reflects India's growing role as a bridge between the developed and developing worlds.
“Africa is a priority partner for India and together we will shape a multipolar world.”
By aligning its 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision with the African Union's Agenda 2063, India is attempting to create a synchronized developmental bloc. This strategy aims to increase the collective bargaining power of the Global South within international institutions, potentially shifting the geopolitical balance away from Western-centric dominance toward a more fragmented, multipolar system.
