By Amos Harris
The Government of India is preparing to host two major international gatherings aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and environmental cooperation with Africa and the wider global community. The events, the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) and the inaugural International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, will take place in New Delhi from May 29 to June 1, 2026.
Announcing the upcoming summits during a press briefing at the Embassy of India in Monrovia, the Ambassador of India to Liberia, Shri Manoj Bihari Verma, described the meetings as historic milestones that will reinforce India’s growing partnership with African nations while promoting sustainable development and environmental protection.
Ambassador Verma disclosed that the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit will convene on May 31 under the theme, “IA SPIRIT: India-Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation.” According to him, the summit will bring together African Heads of State, senior government officials, representatives of the African Union Commission, and regional economic communities for the first India-Africa summit in more than a decade. He emphasized that the summit reflects India’s strong commitment to expanding strategic cooperation with Africa in areas including trade, education, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, connectivity, healthcare, and cultural exchange. The Ambassador further noted that India is positioning itself as a reliable development partner for African countries by encouraging innovation, inclusive growth, and people-to-people collaboration across the continent.
As part of the summit activities, India will also host the India-Africa Business Dialogue and Exhibition on May 29 and 30. The forum is expected to provide opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and private-sector leaders from both regions to explore new commercial partnerships and investment opportunities. Ambassador Verma said the business dialogue will strengthen economic ties between India and African countries by promoting trade expansion, industrial cooperation, technology transfer, and sustainable development initiatives.
In another major development, India will host the inaugural International Big Cat Alliance Summit on June 1, 2026. The global gathering is expected to attract world leaders, conservation experts, scientists, and policymakers from 95 big cat range countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The Indian diplomat described the summit as a landmark international initiative focused on protecting endangered big cat species and preserving global ecosystems, running under the theme, “Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem.”
According to Ambassador Verma, one of the major expected outcomes of the summit will be the adoption of the “Delhi Declaration,” which he described as the world’s first global declaration dedicated specifically to big cat conservation and environmental sustainability. He revealed that Liberia is among the 25 member countries of the International Big Cat Alliance and ratified the IBCA Framework Agreement on January 8, 2025, demonstrating Liberia’s commitment to global conservation efforts and environmental diplomacy.
Speaking on bilateral relations, Ambassador Verma praised the longstanding friendship between India and Liberia, noting that the two nations continue to enjoy cordial diplomatic ties based on trust, solidarity, and mutual respect. He recalled India’s support to Liberia during difficult periods, including the country’s civil conflict and public health emergencies. He particularly highlighted the deployment of India’s all-women United Nations peacekeeping contingent to Liberia in 2007, which he said strengthened peacebuilding and women’s empowerment efforts in the country.
The Ambassador further disclosed that India-Liberia relations have expanded significantly over the years through cooperation in education, trade, healthcare, diplomacy, cultural exchange, and capacity building. According to him, more than 150 Liberians traveled to India in 2025 under scholarship and professional training programs in areas such as mining safety, nursing, trauma care, public administration, film production, and media studies. Ambassador Verma also highlighted Liberia’s recent participation in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in India, describing it as an important cultural exchange initiative that continues to deepen ties between the peoples of both countries. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Liberia and the African continent through sustained diplomatic engagement, development cooperation, and the upcoming international summits in New Delhi.
Observers believe the hosting of the two global events demonstrates India’s increasing role as a strategic partner to Africa and a leading voice on international cooperation, sustainable development, and environmental protection. The summits are also expected to create new opportunities for collaboration between African countries and India in trade, innovation, education, technology, and conservation, while promoting stronger South-South cooperation on global challenges. With Liberia set to participate in both initiatives, government officials and development stakeholders are optimistic that the engagements will further enhance bilateral relations and open new avenues for economic and technical cooperation between the two nations.
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