Global politics is changing fast, with the developing nations clamouring for a greater voice in world decisions. As the power dynamic of a few big countries swings the other way, groups such as BRICS see an enhanced power to construct a fairer order. India will host the BRICS 2026 Summit with the theme of “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability” towards creating inclusive growth. To lead here, India is stepping up its interactions with key partners in Africa – home to new members of BRICS such as Ethiopia and Egypt – with major visits from Modi in 2025 and new missions.[i]
Why Now?
India’s diplomatic thrust in Africa thus comes at a perfect moment, as the world of politics changes and Africa is on the rise. The continent has the edge in terms of growth with booming economies, a youthful workforce of more than 1.4 billion by 2050, and increasing influence in terms of UN votes and trade blocs. Developing nations everywhere want larger roles, and Africa – home to 54 countries – has the key votes and markets.[ii]
BRICS grew in 2024, with the addition of African giants Ethiopia and Egypt as full members and such partners as Nigeria and Algeria, strengthening their group voice to nine nations. India assumed the presidency of BRICS on January 1, 2026, when the summit will be hosted by India later this year under the theme, Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability. This timing allows India to freeze in place the trust, energy deals, and sharing of technology before the debates on fair global rules. PM Modi’s three 2025 trips – to Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, and Botswana – had sparked $103 billion trade highs, avoiding debt-traps that snare others.[iii] Amidst the changes in the USA by President Trump, these moves seal the position for India as the Global South. By strengthening relations at this point, India secures victory at the summit on the issues of inclusive growth and reform.
Key Steps Taken by India
To beef up its relationship with Africa, in the run up to BRICS 2026, India has taken some important diplomatic, economic and strategic steps. One of the major steps is the extension of India’s diplomatic presence on the continent of Africa. India has set up new embassies and the high-level visits of leaders to build a better relationship and mutual trust. India has also emphasised development cooperation in the form of lines of credit, infrastructural projects, technical assistance and capacity building programs. Areas such as healthcare, education, digital technology, agriculture and renewable energy have been especially addressed.[iv]
In addition, India has increased the number of scholarship programs and people-to-people exchanges that help strengthen the cultural and educational exchange. On the economic side, India has encouraged trade and investment partnerships to drive economic growth in India and African countries, and supports Indian businesses operating in Africa, thereby mutually growing Africa’s economy. India has also enhanced security and maritime cooperation, especially in the Indian Ocean area, through carrying out training and joint military exercises. Together, these very steps exhibit India’s dedication towards Africa in the long run and serve to make steady partnerships on the horizon of BRICS 2026.[v]
Plans for 2026
As India is hosting the BRICS 2026 Summit with the theme of Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, it places Africa at the centre of its strategy. The event will help to amplify the voices of Africa on issues ranging from development to climate resilience and technology transfer to global governance reforms, and this will be achieved through members such as Ethiopia and Egypt, as well as partners such as Nigeria.
India’s roadmap combines summit priorities and ambitious outreach. Key areas outlined include a high-profile India-Africa Summit rumors of October 50+ nations partner trade doubling to $200 billion by 2030 skills programs green energy grids critical minerals supply chains for batteries and tech Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – think UPI and Aadhaar shipping of DPI will boost services to underserved areas affordable healthcare via vaccine partnerships.[vi] South-South cooperation takes center stage: India wants BRICS consensus on UN Security Council expansion, World Bank/IMF quotas, and fair climate finance, Global South concerns trump Western dominance.
Trilateral programs such as India-Africa-UAE “Bharat Africa Setu” help with logistics, investment, and food security. Financial tools expand too – $10 billion plus in Lines of Credit fund infrastructure without debt traps, contrast of rival’s models. Ministerial dialogues will prepare AI ethics, digital trade agreements and poverty reduction with a focus on Africa. By interlacing these in BRICS, India cultivates trust-based mutual benefit partnerships. This guarantees that the summit is a real shift to inclusive global order empowerment for developing worlds to shared prosperity. [vii]
Challenges Ahead
India’s Africa outreach experiences real roadblocks amid promising starts. China is the runaway winner with more than $170 billion in loans since 2000 (snapping up ports, rails, and minerals-India’s $10 billion Lines of Credit can’t match). Western powers, delayed by “America First” cuts by President Trump, still dominate through aid and companies. Africa’s enormous diversity makes things complicated – 54 nations are no one-size-fits-all. From the oil of Nigeria to the tech boom of Ethiopia, they each have unique politics, economies, and needs. Political instability, such as Sahel coups, and security issues hamper projects and visitations. Cash and speed were issues too.
India’s aid is delayed in its execution and tests promises of quick, sustainable help. BRICS infighting division. Ukraine or Venezuela divide consensus on UN reform or trade.[viii] Dumb down the Global South. India needs to get the balance right: Play to strengths: debt-free tech (UPI, vaccines), skills training. Trade at $103 billion could be doubled by 2030 if execution were to improve sharply. Consistent and tailored diplomacy, the gaps of rivals become India’s advantage in leadership, BRICS 2026 [ix][x]
Conclusion
India’s strategic outreach to Africa makes it a central leader in the process of changing global governance through BRICS 2026. By extending diplomatic footprints, investing development aid in high-impact areas such as renewables and digital tech, and creating $103 billion trade corridors, India creates resilient partnerships unhindered by exploitative debt models.
This approach not only amplifies the voice of the Global South in a changing power game but also pushes the summit’s theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability to a new, tangible, and inclusive growth. As BRICS develops, with African strongmen at the table, India’s proactive steps are a guarantee of mutual prosperity, fairer global rules and a more robust multipolar world order.
References:
[i] As India takes over BRICS 2026 presidency, Jaishankar says focus on ‘humanity-first’ strategy to promote global welfare. (2026, January 13). The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-brics-2026-logo-theme-unveiled-jaishankar-humanity-first-people-centric-strategy/article70505078.ece
[ii] Rehan, T. (2024, July 5). Diplomatic Engagements: Understanding India’s Interests in the African Continent—Modern Diplomacy. Modern Diplomacy. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/07/05/diplomatic-engagements-understanding-indias-interests-in-the-african-continent/
[iii]Rio de Janeiro Declaration- Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance. (2025, July 7). Pib. https://www.pib.gov.in/www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=2142786
[iv] Chand, M. (2026, February 3). Welcome to Embassy of India, Berlin(Germany). https://indianembassyberlin.gov.in/PressRelease?id=OTk,
[v]MEA | Youth and Education. (n.d.). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://mea.gov.in/youth-and-education.htm
[vi] Jaspal, mannat. (2025, August 15). Countdown to BRICS 2026: The India-Africa-UAE Trilateral. Orfonline.Org. https://www.orfonline.org/research/countdown-to-brics-2026-the-india-africa-uae-trilateral
[vii] Das, T. D., Upamanyu. (2025, July 11). BRICS rallies Global South cooperation as it sees western influence wane. Down To Earth. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/brics-rallies-global-south-cooperation-as-it-sees-western-influence-wane
[viii] Beri, Navya. (2023, July 5). India boosts Africa lending to counter China in expanding its influence in world’s second-largest continent. Wion. https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-boosts-africa-lending-to-counter-china-in-expanding-its-influence-in-worlds-second-largest-continent-612340
[ix]Press Releases. (2025, December 15). https://www.imcnet.org/press-releases
[x] Kuehn, A., & Nandi, A. (2025). SHAPING U.S.-INDIA AI COOPERATION. https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/posts/pdf/20250925182759.pdf
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