Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Évariste Ndayishimiye, who holds the dual positions of Chairperson of the African Union and President of Burundi, during the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi. The meeting focused on strengthening India’s ties with both the continental organization and the individual nation. Several areas of mutual interest and cooperation were discussed between the two leaders.
What was discussed
The Prime Minister and the African Union Chairperson recalled India’s effort to include the African Union as a member of the G20 during India’s presidency of that group in 2023. Both leaders emphasized that cooperation between India and the African Union represents an important partnership within the broader framework of collaboration among Global South nations.
The two sides agreed to work towards holding the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit at a time that suits both parties. The Prime Minister acknowledged the African Union’s efforts in controlling the Ebola outbreak. In response, the AU Chairperson recognized the medical assistance that India provided to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention during the disease management efforts.
Regarding bilateral relations between India and Burundi specifically, the leaders noted that ties between the two countries are marked by friendly relations and a shared commitment to development. They reviewed ongoing cooperation in several fields:
- Economic cooperation
- Development partnership
- Agricultural modernization
- Healthcare initiatives
- Capacity-building programmes
What this means for you
These meetings signal India’s growing engagement with African nations and institutions at the highest level. The discussion about holding the India-Africa Forum Summit suggests that New Delhi intends to deepen institutional ties with the continent. For Indian professionals, businesses and development organizations, increased cooperation in areas like agriculture, healthcare and skills training could create new opportunities for partnership and exchange with African countries.