Jaishankar calls for equal India-Africa partnership and UN reforms
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for a stronger India-Africa relationship built on equality, mutual respect and shared development, arguing that international partnerships should help countries build their own capabilities rather than become dependent on others.
Speaking at the Adwa Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jaishankar reflected on the historical links between India and Africa, particularly their shared experiences of colonialism and struggles for freedom.
He said the legacy of the Battle of Adwa had inspired people resisting colonial domination and strengthened the belief that communities had the right to determine their own future. The question of who controls that future, he argued, remains central to the partnership between India, Africa and the wider Global South.
Jaishankar also recalled the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and the connections between India’s freedom movement and Africa’s anti-colonial struggles. He referred to Nelson Mandela’s celebrated tribute to Gandhi’s legacy as an illustration of those historical ties.
The minister stressed that India’s relationship with Africa should now move beyond historical solidarity towards practical cooperation and shared prosperity.
According to Jaishankar, development partnerships should avoid imposing conditions or adopting a condescending approach. Instead, they should be grounded in respect, equality and the creation of capabilities that benefit both sides.
He also reiterated the need to reform the United Nations Security Council, including fairer representation for Africa. Such changes, he argued, are important to ensure that international institutions reflect the realities and aspirations of the contemporary world.
His remarks underline India’s effort to position its engagement with African countries as a partnership focused on local capacity-building, development and a greater voice for the Global South in international decision-making.