MAINS Current Affairs includes India–Africa Forum Summit& India–Vietnam Relations: Deepening Strategic Partnership In The Indo-Pacific

International Relations

1. INDIA–AFRICA FORUM SUMMIT

Context: India has resumed discussions on convening the next India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, with the next edition expected to be held in 2026.

India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)

• The India–Africa Forum Summit is the highest institutional platform for engagement between India and African countries, functioning under the leadership and framework of the African Union (AU).
• It was established in 2008 with the objective of deepening cooperation in areas such as:
  • Political and diplomatic dialogue
  • Trade and investment
  • Economic cooperation
  • Technology transfer
  • Capacity building
  • People-to-people contacts
• The forum reflects the shared principles of South–South cooperation, inclusive development, multilateralism and sustainable partnerships.
• Since the inaugural summit in 2008, subsequent summits were held in:
  • 2011
  • 2015
• The next summit is expected to take place in 2026.

African Union (AU)

• The African Union is the continent-wide organisation comprising 55 African member states.
• It was formally launched in 2002 as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which existed from 1963 to 1999.
• Aim: To realise Africa’s potential by promoting greater cooperation, integration, economic development and collective progress among African states.

India–Africa Relations

1. Growing Diplomatic Engagement

• India–Africa diplomatic engagement has expanded considerably, with nearly 50 high-level visits from India to African countries and around 100 visits by African leaders to India over the past decade.
• Since 2018, India has opened 17 new diplomatic missions in Africa, taking its diplomatic presence to 46 African countries.

2. Bilateral Trade

• India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner and is also among Africa’s top five investors.
• During FY 2024–25, India–Africa trade was approximately USD 81.99 billion:
  • Indian exports: USD 42.6 billion
  • Indian imports: USD 39.2 billion
• Africa is also an important source of energy for India, accounting for nearly 10% of India’s energy imports, according to the source.

3. Investment and Development Partnership

• India’s cumulative investment in Africa reached approximately USD 80 billion during 1996–2025, placing India among Africa’s top five investors.
• India has extended more than 190 Lines of Credit (LoCs) worth over USD 10 billion to 41 African countries.
• Around 220 projects, with a combined value of approximately USD 4.5 billion, have been completed.

4. Health and Pharmaceuticals

• India supplies nearly 50% of Africa’s generic medicines, making the country an important partner in strengthening affordable healthcare.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supported African countries through the supply of medicines and other health-related assistance.
• Cooperation is also expanding in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including in:
  • Nigeria
  • Tanzania
  • Senegal
  • South Africa
• India’s first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra was established in Mauritius, strengthening access to affordable medicines.

5. Defence and Maritime Cooperation

• India contributes around 5,000 peacekeepers to United Nations missions in Africa.
• Defence cooperation has expanded into:
  • Maritime security
  • Anti-piracy operations
  • Defence exports
  • Military training
  • Capacity building
• India conducts joint military exercises such as the Africa–India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX).
• India also organises the India–Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave to promote institutional defence cooperation.

6. Energy and Sustainability

• Africa contributes around 13% of India’s total energy requirement, according to the source.
• African countries are also increasingly involved in India’s global sustainability initiatives:
  • 39 African countries have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
  • 9 African countries are members of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
  • 11 African countries are members of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).

7. People-to-People Relations

• The Indian diaspora in Africa is estimated at around 5 million, contributing significantly to economic, cultural and social linkages.
• India has extended e-visa facilities to 33 African countries to facilitate:
  • Tourism
  • Business
  • Trade
  • Cultural exchanges
  • People-to-people contacts

8. Cooperation in Global Governance

• India supports greater African representation in international institutions and advocates a stronger voice for developing countries in global governance.
• During India’s G20 Presidency, India played an important role in facilitating the African Union’s permanent membership of the G20.

Significance of Africa for India

1. Economic and Trade Opportunities

• Africa’s growing economies provide expanding markets for Indian businesses in sectors such as:
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Automobiles
  • Agriculture
  • Information technology
  • Telecommunications
  • Infrastructure
• Deeper economic engagement can diversify India’s export markets and create opportunities for Indian enterprises.

2. Energy and Critical Minerals

• African countries are important sources of crude oil, natural gas and critical minerals.
• Minerals such as cobalt, lithium, manganese and graphite are increasingly important for:
  • Renewable energy
  • Batteries
  • Electric mobility
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • India’s green transition
• Stronger partnerships can therefore contribute to India’s energy and mineral security.

3. Strategic and Maritime Importance

• Africa’s eastern coastline overlooks the Indian Ocean and important maritime routes connecting Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Cooperation with African littoral states is consequently important for:
  • Maritime domain awareness
  • Counter-piracy operations
  • Counter-terrorism
  • Combating trafficking
  • Securing sea lanes of communication

4. Global South Partnership

• Africa is a critical partner for India in strengthening the collective voice of the Global South.
• India and African countries can cooperate in institutions and platforms such as:
  • United Nations
  • G20
  • WTO
  • Other multilateral institutions
• Common positions on development, climate finance, technology and global governance can increase the negotiating space of developing countries.

5. Geopolitical Significance

• Greater engagement with Africa can help India:
  • Diversify its diplomatic partnerships
  • Strengthen relations across the developing world
  • Support a more representative and multipolar international order
  • Expand cooperation in strategic sectors
  • Enhance India’s engagement with the wider Global South

Conclusion

• India–Africa relations are built upon historical connections, shared developmental priorities and common Global South interests.
• The India–Africa Forum Summit provides an important institutional mechanism for translating these shared interests into concrete cooperation.
• Going forward, a partnership centred on mutual respect, co-development, capacity building and African priorities can further strengthen India–Africa relations and make the partnership an important pillar of India’s engagement with the developing world.

International Relations

2. INDIA–VIETNAM RELATIONS: DEEPENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

Context: India and Vietnam have recently agreed to further strengthen defence and security cooperation, including the possibility of co-producing Indian defence equipment, against the backdrop of growing strategic developments in the Indo-Pacific.

About India–Vietnam Relations

• India and Vietnam share an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, founded on civilisational connections, convergent strategic interests and a shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Vietnam is an important pillar of India’s:
  • Act East Policy
  • Vision MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
  • Engagement with ASEAN
• During Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam’s State Visit to India in May 2026, the relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• According to the source, this made Vietnam the first country in the region with which India has bilateral relations at this level.

Historical Evolution & Present Status

• India and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1972, building on longstanding civilisational connections and shared anti-colonial experiences.
• The relationship was progressively upgraded:
  • Strategic Partnership — 2007
  • Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — 2016
  • Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — 2026
• The 19th India–Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations.
• Both sides noted that sustained high-level exchanges, including two Vietnamese State Visits, have generated fresh momentum in bilateral ties.
• India and Vietnam agreed to observe 2027 as the Year of India–Vietnam Friendship, commemorating 55 years of diplomatic relations.

Key Areas of Cooperation

1. Defence and Security Cooperation

• Defence and security have emerged as major pillars of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Cooperation has expanded beyond traditional defence exchanges to include:
  • Military-to-military dialogue
  • Capacity building
  • Training across all three services
  • Defence equipment cooperation
• India gifted the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in 2023.
• In 2022, India handed over 12 high-speed guard boats to Vietnam under a US$100 million Indian Line of Credit.
• Two additional Lines of Credit worth US$120 million and US$180 million were signed in 2024 and are currently under implementation.
• Both countries are now exploring co-production of Indian defence equipment, which could:
  • Strengthen defence-industrial cooperation
  • Promote indigenous manufacturing
  • Improve defence supply-chain resilience
  • Enhance Vietnam’s capacity-building through technology and production partnerships

2. Trade, Connectivity and Economic Cooperation

• India and Vietnam are seeking to expand:
  • Bilateral trade
  • Investment
  • Market access
  • Mutually beneficial supply chains
• Greater access is being pursued for Indian:
  • Marine products
  • Agricultural products
  • Pharmaceuticals
• Economic cooperation also encompasses:
  • Financial connectivity
  • Port connectivity
  • Air connectivity
• Improved connectivity can help unlock the potential for deeper economic integration between the two countries.

3. Emerging and Societal Sectors

• Bilateral cooperation is expanding into newer areas, including:
  • Nuclear energy
  • Space cooperation
  • Heritage conservation
  • Standards for seafarers
  • Capacity building
  • People-to-people exchanges
• Vietnam’s participation in India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) strengthens cooperation in the wider maritime and Indo-Pacific framework.
• The growing popularity of Yoga in Vietnam also contributes to societal and cultural linkages.

Concerns & Issues

1. China Factor

• Vietnam’s territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, along with China’s expanding strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, create significant areas of strategic convergence between India and Vietnam.
• At the same time, the China factor introduces geopolitical sensitivities into the bilateral relationship.

2. Trade Imbalance and Market Access

• Trade imbalances and market-access barriers remain issues requiring greater attention.
• Addressing these concerns is important for ensuring more balanced and sustainable economic engagement.

3. Connectivity Constraints

• Limited connectivity and relatively modest levels of economic integration continue to restrict the full potential of bilateral trade and investment.

4. Defence-Industrial Gaps

• Defence cooperation requires further progress in:
  • Technology transfer
  • Indigenous manufacturing
  • Joint production
  • Institutionalised defence supply chains

India’s Efforts for Deepening the Strategic Partnership

• India has accorded Vietnam greater importance under its Act East Policy.
• Key initiatives include:
  • Enhanced defence engagement
  • Defence equipment transfers
  • Lines of Credit
  • Military training
  • Capacity-building programmes
• Engagement through ASEAN-led mechanisms and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) further integrates the bilateral relationship into the broader Indo-Pacific architecture.

Way Forward

• India and Vietnam should translate the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into concrete outcomes through:
  • Defence co-production
  • Joint manufacturing
  • Resilient supply chains
  • Stronger maritime cooperation
• Faster implementation of existing Lines of Credit can enhance the effectiveness of India’s development and defence partnership.
• Greater connectivity and trade diversification can help address existing constraints in economic relations.
• Cooperation should be expanded in emerging areas such as:
  • Space
  • Nuclear energy
  • Advanced technology
  • Capacity building
• India and Vietnam should also strengthen coordination through ASEAN and other multilateral forums.
• A deeper India–Vietnam partnership can contribute to a stable, secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific, while advancing India’s broader objectives under the Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.

Conclusion

• India–Vietnam relations have evolved from historical and civilisational connections into a broad-based strategic partnership covering defence, maritime security, trade, connectivity, technology, energy and people-to-people relations.
• The elevation to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides a framework for moving from broad diplomatic commitments towards greater co-production, connectivity, capacity building and strategic cooperation.
• A sustained India–Vietnam partnership can therefore contribute to stronger bilateral resilience as well as a more inclusive, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

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