Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi yesterday said the upcoming fourth India-Africa Forum Summit should speak to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and reinforce Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 as the two partners rise together.
Deputy Minister Modi said the South-to-South cooperation between India and Africa in general, and Zimbabwe in specific, is anchored on a future built by partners who “respect our sovereignty and share our dreams”.
“Our expectations are high, and our commitment is strong. We anticipate that the Delhi Declaration 2026 will not just be a document, but a strong alignment of visions. It must reinforce Zimbabwe’s own Vision 2030 and our National Development Strategy (NDS2). It must speak to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the ‘Africa We Want’,” Deputy Minister Modi said.
India-Africa ties have been in existence for nearly 1 000 years, and Deputy Minister Modi in the context of Zimbabwe during the era of the Mutapa Kingdom, the Indian Ocean was not a barrier but a bridge, carrying traders, culture, and a shared spirit of enterprise between our lands.
“I look forward to the new promise that awaits us in New Delhi. Let us ignite the India-Africa spirit together of strategic partnership for innovation, inclusive transformation, and resilience,” he added.
India’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bramha Kumar said his country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when engaging Africa, is guided by focus on mutual respect, equality, and a demand-driven development partnership aligned with the continent’s priorities, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“Apart from enhanced bilateral cooperation, India actively supports Africa’s enhanced representation in global governance at the multilateral level. During its G20 Presidency, India played a key role in securing permanent membership of the African union in the G20.
“India worked closely with fellow BRICS members, to include two African countries namely Egypt and Ethiopia in BRICS in the XV BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg in 2023. India has consistently advocated for Africa’s representation in a reformed United Nations Security Council as per Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration,” Ambassador Kumar said.
India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31 2026 in New Delhi in collaboration with the African union Commission. Yesterday’s event was attended by senior Government officials, heads of mission accredited to Zimbabwe, diplomats and business sector officials.
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