The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (May 21) announced that the upcoming Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV) has been postponed amid the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The summit was scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 28 to 31 May 2026. In a statement, the MEA said, given the evolving health situation in parts of Africa, “two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit at a later date.”&nbsp;“The two sides exchanged views on the evolving health situation in parts of Africa and reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in strengthening public health preparedness and response capacities across the continent, including through support to Africa CDC and relevant national institutions,” the MEA said.It added, “⁠India reaffirmed its solidarity with the peoples and Governments of Africa and expressed its readiness to contribute to Africa CDC-led efforts aimed at addressing the evolving health situation, in line with the shared commitment to an Africa-led response.”The ministry said that discussions over the evolving public health situation across the continent were conducted between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission on the organisation of the Summit and related events.The MEA added that a later date for the summit will be decided soon. “Following these consultations, the two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit at a later date,” it said. The new dates for the summit and its associated meetings will be finalised following mutual consultations between the two sides and communicated in due course.“India and Africa reaffirmed their longstanding partnership founded on solidarity, mutual respect, South–South cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace, development, prosperity, and the well-being of their peoples,” the statement added.

India postponed the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, scheduled for May 28-31 in New Delhi, after discussions with African partners due to the evolving Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (May 21) announced that the upcoming Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV) has been postponed amid the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The summit was scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 28 to 31 May 2026. In a statement, the MEA said, given the evolving health situation in parts of Africa, “two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit at a later date.” “The two sides exchanged views on the evolving health situation in parts of Africa and reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in strengthening public health preparedness and response capacities across the continent, including through support to Africa CDC and relevant national institutions,” the MEA said. It added, “⁠India reaffirmed its solidarity with the peoples and Governments of Africa and expressed its readiness to contribute to Africa CDC-led efforts aimed at addressing the evolving health situation, in line with the shared commitment to an Africa-led response.” The ministry said that discussions over the evolving public health situation across the continent were conducted between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission on the organisation of the Summit and related events. The MEA added that a later date for the summit will be decided soon. “Following these consultations, the two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit at a later date,” it said. The new dates for the summit and its associated meetings will be finalised following mutual consultations between the two sides and communicated in due course. “India and Africa reaffirmed their longstanding partnership founded on solidarity, mutual respect, South–South cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace, development, prosperity, and the well-being of their peoples,” the statement added.

India postponed the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, scheduled for May 28-31 in New Delhi, after discussions with African partners due to the evolving Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

Ebola scare postpones India-Africa Forum Summit

India has announced the fourth edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit, signaling a renewed push to deepen strategic, economic, and development partnerships with African nations. The summit is expected to focus on trade expansion, infrastructure cooperation, digital connectivity, healthcare, education, and South-South collaboration.

India-Africa Ties: India Announces Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit 

India's external affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has indicated that plans are afoot to organise the India Africa summit. The last such summit happened in 2015 in Delhi and while work was on to organise it last year it could not materialise. The 2015 India Africa summit was attended by leaders and representatives from all 54 African nations and the African Union, making it one of the largest gatherings of African leaders outside Africa.

Speaking at Africa Day, EAM said, "India and Africa must engage and must work together very closely. In this regard, we look forward to organising the IAFS IV Summit, and we seek your support to do so. We hope that the event would provide a more contemporary agenda of cooperation between us."

At the Africa Day celebrations in Delhi, Dr S Jaishankar detailed Delhi's support for the continent. Nearly 40,000 Africans have been trained in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Under the programme, since 2019, more than 15,000 youths from 22 African countries have received scholarships for various degree and diploma courses in disciplines such as computer applications, business administration, commerce, social sciences, and humanities.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjipIqQ2_iGAxU8n68BHUzAI-gQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorism-should-never-be-tolerated-jaishankar-on-39th-anniversary-of-kanishka-bombing-734439" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorism-should-never-be-tolerated-jaishankar-on-39th-anniversary-of-kanishka-bombing-734439&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjipIqQ2_iGAxU8n68BHUzAI-gQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Terrorism `should never be tolerated`: Jaishankar on 39th anniversary of Kanishka bombing</a>

Currently, over 23,000 African students live and study in India. Indian govt has also established several educational institutions in Africa, including the Indian Institute of Technology in Zanzibar (Tanzania), the National Forensic Science University in Uganda, and Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Rwanda.

Dr Jaishankar also reiterated India's support for African representation in global governance structures. "Given our shared struggles, it is natural that we are supportive of a greater role for Africa in the United Nations and other multilateral fora," he said. He affirmed India's backing of the African Union’s ‘Ezulwini Consensus’ and the ‘Sirte Declaration,’ which call for significant reforms in the United Nations Security Council to include African representation. Under India's G20 Presidency, the African Union became a member of the G20, a major economic grouping.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjipIqQ2_iGAxU8n68BHUzAI-gQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-holds-meeting-with-jaishankar-during-state-visit-to-india-733930" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-holds-meeting-with-jaishankar-during-state-visit-to-india-733930&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjipIqQ2_iGAxU8n68BHUzAI-gQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina holds meeting with Jaishankar during state visit to India</a>

Meanwhile, in an effort to bolster people-to-people engagement, India has also extended e-visa facilities to 33 African countries. Additionally, India has expanded its diplomatic presence on the continent, opening 16 new diplomatic missions which brings the total number of Indian missions in Africa to 45.

India's external affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has indicated that plans are afoot to organise the India Africa summit. The last such summit happened in 2015 in Delhi and while work was on to organise it last year it could not materialise.

India's external affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has indicated that plans are afoot to organise the India Africa summit. The last such summit happened in 2015 in Delhi and while work was on to organise it last year it could not materialise. The 2015 India Africa summit was attended by leaders and representatives from all 54 African nations and the African Union, making it one of the largest gatherings of African leaders outside Africa. Speaking at Africa Day, EAM said, "India and Africa must engage and must work together very closely. In this regard, we look forward to organising the IAFS IV Summit, and we seek your support to do so. We hope that the event would provide a more contemporary agenda of cooperation between us." At the Africa Day celebrations in Delhi, Dr S Jaishankar detailed Delhi's support for the continent. Nearly 40,000 Africans have been trained in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Under the programme, since 2019, more than 15,000 youths from 22 African countries have received scholarships for various degree and diploma courses in disciplines such as computer applications, business administration, commerce, social sciences, and humanities. Also read: Terrorism `should never be tolerated`: Jaishankar on 39th anniversary of Kanishka bombing Currently, over 23,000 African students live and study in India. Indian govt has also established several educational institutions in Africa, including the Indian Institute of Technology in Zanzibar (Tanzania), the National Forensic Science University in Uganda, and Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Rwanda. Dr Jaishankar also reiterated India's support for African representation in global governance structures. "Given our shared struggles, it is natural that we are supportive of a greater role for Africa in the United Nations and other multilateral fora," he said. He affirmed India's backing of the African Union’s ‘Ezulwini Consensus’ and the ‘Sirte Declaration,’ which call for significant reforms in the United Nations Security Council to include African representation. Under India's G20 Presidency, the African Union became a member of the G20, a major economic grouping. Also read: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina holds meeting with Jaishankar during state visit to India Meanwhile, in an effort to bolster people-to-people engagement, India has also extended e-visa facilities to 33 African countries. Additionally, India has expanded its diplomatic presence on the continent, opening 16 new diplomatic missions which brings the total number of Indian missions in Africa to 45.

EAM Jaishankar: Work on to organise India-Africa Summit