India intensifies Africa engagement as Modi meets continental leaders

India is making a renewed push to strengthen its continental partnerships in Africa, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding bilateral meetings with African leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The talks have included substantive discussions about the next edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit, signalling New Delhi's commitment to deepening engagement with the continent across multiple sectors.

The India-Africa Forum Summit, a flagship initiative for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, has served as a key platform for advancing shared interests between India and African nations. By reviving discussions on the summit's next iteration during the BRICS meeting, India is demonstrating its strategic intent to maintain momentum in African relations despite competing global priorities.

The renewed outreach reflects India's broader strategy to expand its influence in Africa, where competition from other major powers has intensified. The discussions held during the BRICS Summit underscore the priority India places on African partnerships, particularly in areas of development cooperation, trade, and regional security.

The meetings between Modi and African leaders are expected to set the stage for concrete initiatives aimed at benefiting both India and the continent. Officials indicated that the details of the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit, including its timing and agenda, would be finalized through ongoing diplomatic channels.