<h3>Overview</h3>
<p>India has announced that it will not pursue a continent‑wide <span class="key-term" data-definition="Free Trade Agreement – a pact that removes tariffs and other trade barriers between signatory countries, aimed at boosting bilateral or multilateral trade (GS3: Economy)">Free Trade Agreement (FTA)</span> with Africa at present. Instead, the government will deepen commercial links with existing customs unions and prepare for the fourth <span class="key-term" data-definition="India‑Africa Forum Summit – a high‑level diplomatic platform to enhance political, economic and security cooperation between India and African nations (GS2: Polity)">India‑Africa Forum Summit (IAFS‑IV)</span> scheduled for 28‑31 May 2026.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>India will prioritise trade with the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Southern African Customs Union – a regional customs union comprising Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa that allows duty‑free movement of goods among members (GS3: Economy)">Southern African Customs Union (SACU)</span> rather than a pan‑African FTA.</li>
<li>Investment in Africa has crossed <strong>$80 billion</strong>, cementing India as a major investor on the continent.</li>
<li>Senior officials, including <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of External Affairs – the Indian government department responsible for foreign relations, diplomacy and international negotiations (GS2: Polity)">Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)</span> Secretary Sudhakar Dalela, met the Chairperson of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="African Union Commission – the executive body of the African Union that coordinates continental policies and programmes (GS2: Polity)">African Union Commission</span> to finalise summit details.</li>
<li>Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal visited Tanzania and Kenya (27 April‑1 May 2026) to lock in business and security agendas.</li>
<li>Sectoral focus will include agriculture, energy, and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Critical minerals – minerals essential for high‑technology and defence applications, such as lithium, cobalt and rare‑earth elements, whose supply security is a strategic concern (GS3: Economy)">critical minerals</span>, alongside defence cooperation and peacekeeping contributions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<ul>
<li>IAFS‑IV will be the first summit after a 11‑year hiatus; previous editions were held in 2008, 2011 and 2015.</li>
<li>The summit will feature business, cultural, security and defence tracks, plus separate sessions for foreign ministers and a leaders’ summit.</li>
<li>India currently contributes about <strong>5,000 peacekeepers</strong> to African conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.</li>
<li>Officials anticipate “concrete outcomes” in the form of business initiatives and a joint vision statement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<p>The decision reflects India’s strategic
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