NEW DELHI: India has positioned itself as a vital link between East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, aiming to play a crucial role in fostering economic connections across these regions. India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently emphasised this vision at the Japan-India-Africa Business Forum, highlighting India’s strategic location and growing industrial capabilities.
Jaishankar stated, “India is positioned as an ideal hub for Japanese companies seeking to expand into Africa and the Middle East,” underlining the country’s potential to serve as a bridge between these regions. He also pointed out that India’s long-standing relationships with Africa make it a natural partner for facilitating trade and investment flows.
The minister went on to envision a collaboration that could bring together Japan’s financial resources, India’s robust industrial base and digital expertise, alongside Africa’s abundant talent and growing market. This, he argued, could lead to mutually beneficial outcomes for stakeholders in all three regions, including those in West Asia.
Jaishankar further highlighted the importance of collaboration between India and Japan to strengthen resilient supply chains, particularly in critical and emerging sectors across Africa and the Middle East. As the Global South emerges as the future driver of economic growth, it is essential, he said, that the aspirations and interests of these regions are fully represented on the global stage.
In a move that reinforced India’s commitment to shaping global economic policies, Jaishankar also noted that the African Union’s full membership in the Group of Twenty (G20) was successfully secured at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023.
