External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised the necessity for reform in the UN Security Council during his address on Friday. He stated that both India and Africa are significantly underrepresented in global decision-making processes. Speaking at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, Jaishankar highlighted that the existing global framework neglects the interests of these regions and alleged that unnamed forces are hindering necessary reforms.

According to Jaishankar, the current structure of the Council fails to deliver efficient governance and lacks fair representation. He stressed that these two inadequacies are closely related and called for a more inclusive and democratic international order. He insisted that Africa deserves equitable representation in both categories of UN Security Council membership.

The UN Security Council comprises 15 members, among which five are permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—equipped with veto powers. The remaining ten members are non-permanent, elected for two-year terms without such powers. Jaishankar’s remarks underscored the urgency of rectifying this imbalance.

Strengthening India-Africa Ties

During his trip, Jaishankar also referenced India’s commitment to secure permanent membership for the African Union during its G20 presidency in 2023. Arriving in Ethiopia from Cote d’Ivoire, he is concluding a three-nation tour that included Ghana. He noted that Ethiopia’s historic victory over Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 has inspired various struggles against colonialism and racial injustice, resonating deeply with India’s own fight for independence.

Jaishankar articulated that the themes of human dignity, political independence, and the right to make sovereign choices are intrinsic to both nations’ histories. He posited that the critical question remains: who determines the future of these nations? This inquiry serves as a unifying call for the Global South, particularly India and Africa, to collaborate more closely.

The Minister traced the historical ties between the two regions, stating that their relationship extends back several millennia, well before the formation of modern nation-states. The Indian Ocean has historically linked their peoples through trade, cultural practices, and migration.

Development Partnerships and Economic Coop

Jaishankar articulated a vision for the future, indicating that both regions must evolve beyond their historical ties. As India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, and with Africa’s Agenda 2063, these goals provide complementary frameworks for mutual transformation. He identified key areas such as industrialisation, infrastructure, and sustainable growth as central to their agendas.

The Minister highlighted India’s position as Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade approaching $100 billion. He noted the completion of over 220 development projects, worth approximately $4.5 billion, across the continent. The focus of these projects includes energy generation, transportation, healthcare, and public infrastructure.

Jaishankar encouraged Indian businesses to view Africa as an attractive destination for investment, asserting that Indian companies contribute significantly to local employment and economic growth. He also underscored the importance of cooperation concerning food security in light of conflicts affecting access to essential goods, emphasising the need for partnerships that create capabilities rather than fostering dependencies.

In conclusion, Jaishankar reiterated his call for a more balanced global order that fosters deeper cooperation between India and Africa. He maintained that these relationships should focus on mutual benefit and sustainable development while addressing pressing challenges faced by both regions.

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