{
  "id": 1454281,
  "title": "India and Africa: Relations beyond rhetorics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/india-and-africa-relations-beyond-rhetorics",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T09:05:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/india-and-africa-relations-beyond-rhetorics/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India and Africa share a rich and enduring relationship, which is evident in their consistent engagement over time. India has long been a vocal advocate for Africa's independence from colonial rule, and through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), it has championed the concerns of African nations, particularly the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in various international platforms such as GATT/WTO, the UN, CHOGM, and climate change negotiations. This commitment was further reinforced when India secured the African Union's permanent membership in the G20 during its 2023 presidency, garnering significant goodwill across the continent.\n\nIndia's capacity-building efforts have been instrumental in developing skilled manpower, modern institutions, and infrastructure across Africa. Through its \"Share and Care\" approach, India has made substantial contributions to education, defense, and technology sectors. Notably, thousands of African military officers have been trained in India, leading to the rise of heads of government and state in various African countries. Additionally, Indian technical and economic cooperation (ITEC) programmes have delivered essential training to around 80 women annually, equipping them to work on solar panels and electrify communities.\n\nIndia's connectivity and capacity-building initiatives have been multilayered, including the Pan-Africa e-Network initiative, which focused on telemedicine, tele-education, and e-governance, along with connectivity among African heads of state. Since the 1950s, India has supported African students through scholarships for higher education, training, and capacity building, with over 55,000 African students currently studying in India. India's involvement in defense capacity building and UN peacekeeping missions has been widely appreciated, particularly in preventing genocide and intervening in South Sudan.\n\nMoreover, India's role in anti-piracy operations along the East Coast of Africa has been pivotal in ensuring the freedom of trade and communication. The Indian Navy has escorted over 2,500 vessels, and collaboration with the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) can further address critical challenges like genocide and ethnic cleansing. As the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and other strategic initiatives focus on the Gulf of Guinea, India must develop a strategic approach to energy security, ensuring the free flow of sea lanes of communication through collaboration and capacity building.\n\nIndia's diaspora in Africa, estimated at three million, plays a significant role in bridging cultural and economic gaps. Indian industrialists have contributed substantially to employment, and the community increasingly focuses on addressing socio-economic needs through education, healthcare, and job creation.",
  "summary": "India and Africa have a historic and umbilical relationship. While this makes a good talking point during speeches, it requires an objective assessment of the extent and depth of our engagement to withstand scrutiny and inform better policy choices.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ghanaian Times",
        "title": "India and Africa: Relations Beyond Rhetorics",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/india-and-africa-relations-beyond-rhetorics",
        "published": "2026-08-14T09:19:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}