India in the Global South: Priorities and Partnerships in Africa

The paper by Tiziano Marino examines the evolution of India–Africa relations, tracing their development from historical and political ties to today's multidimensional strategic partnership. As Africa has become an increasingly important pillar of India's foreign policy, the study analyses how trade, investment, development cooperation, maritime security and diplomacy have strengthened New Delhi's engagement with the continent. Focusing on the cases of South Africa, Nigeria and Mauritius, the paper highlights both the opportunities and the challenges of India's growing presence in Africa amid intensifying geopolitical competition. It also explores the prospects for closer cooperation between India, the European Union and Italy, arguing that greater coordination among like-minded partners could better support African priorities while advancing shared strategic, economic and development objectives.