Written by: Badr Ahmed

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday the postponement of the India-Africa Forum summit, which was scheduled to be held next week in the capital, New Delhi, due to what it described as the emerging public health situation in Africa, referring to the outbreak of the virus. Ebola In a number of African countries, most notably the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The fourth India-Africa Forum Summit was scheduled to take place from May 28 to 31, with the participation of ministers and leaders from both sides, with the aim of strengthening joint cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, innovation, digital technology, sustainable development and global governance.

India postpones strategic summit with Africa due to the continent's health crisis

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement that the decision to postpone came after discussions between India and the African Union regarding the changing health situation in some parts of Africa, explaining that the two sides agreed that it was advisable to hold the summit at a later date, without directly disclosing the nature of the health threats.

The decision comes at a time of growing international concern over an outbreak of a rare strain of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, amid warnings that the disease will be difficult to contain in the absence of an effective vaccine against this strain.

The World Health Organization announced on Wednesday that it had recorded nearly 600 suspected cases of the virus, along with 139 suspected deaths, since the outbreak began about two months ago, raising regional and international concerns about the potential for the infection to spread.

The postponement of the summit reflects the extent of the impact that health crises are having on international political and diplomatic events, especially given countries' keenness to avoid any risks associated with the transmission of infection through international delegations and large gatherings.

The India-Africa Forum Summit is one of the most prominent political and economic platforms that brings together New Delhi and African countries, through which India seeks to strengthen its economic and political presence in the African continent, amid increasing international competition for influence and investments within Africa.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that new dates for the summit will be announced later, in coordination with the African Union, as soon as the health situation on the continent stabilizes.