External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated the need for urgent reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), asserting that India and Africa can no longer remain underrepresented in global decision-making bodies.
Addressing a gathering at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, Jaishankar called for equitable African representation in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of the UNSC.
He also recalled India’s efforts during its G20 Presidency in 2023 to secure permanent membership for the African Union in the grouping.
On the final leg of his three-nation visit to Africa, the minister highlighted the growing economic partnership between India and the continent. He noted that India is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade approaching USD 100 billion.
Jaishankar said more than 220 India-supported development projects, valued at USD 4.5 billion, have been completed across Africa, underlining New Delhi’s long-term commitment to the continent’s growth and development.
Encouraging greater private-sector engagement, he urged Indian businesses to expand investments in Africa and called for deeper collaboration in areas such as food security, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Reflecting on Ethiopia’s historic victory over Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, Jaishankar said the triumph became a powerful symbol of resistance against colonialism and inspired anti-colonial movements around the world, including India’s freedom struggle.
He added that India’s development roadmap, Viksit Bharat 2047, and Africa’s Agenda 2063 present complementary visions for inclusive growth and offer significant opportunities for closer cooperation in the decades ahead.
