The Haryana–Africa Strategic Partnership Meet held on Friday at Surajkund, Faridabad, marked a significant moment in India’s sub-national diplomacy, blending cultural outreach with economic and strategic collaboration. Bringing together ambassadors and high commissioners from nearly 20 African nations, senior officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, industry leaders and policymakers, the conclave underscored Haryana’s growing ambition to position itself as a global partner under the larger vision of “Viksit Bharat–Viksit Haryana.”
The choice of Surajkund as the venue carried symbolic weight. Known worldwide for the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, the site represents India’s soft power — a confluence of folk traditions, craftsmanship, creativity and people-to-people connect. Addressing the gathering, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described the occasion as the beginning of a “new chapter in India–Africa relations” from the culturally rich soil of Surajkund, where art, heritage and commerce naturally intersect. He noted that when crafts travel, cultures converse, and from such conversations, enduring partnerships are born.
The Chief Minister emphasised that India–Africa relations are rooted in equality, mutual respect and shared development. Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Africa-centric foreign policy vision, Haryana has taken a pioneering step by becoming the first Indian state to establish a dedicated Department of Foreign Cooperation. This institutional mechanism, he said, allows the state to engage African nations not merely as trading partners, but as long-term collaborators in development, innovation and capacity building.
Highlighting Haryana’s economic strengths, Saini pointed out that the state has emerged as a key growth engine in agriculture, manufacturing, MSMEs, food processing, automobile components and the startup ecosystem. Its proximity to the National Capital Region provides global connectivity and logistical advantages, making Haryana an attractive gateway for African countries seeking access to Indian and Asian markets. Agriculture, he said, stands out as a natural pillar of India–Africa cooperation. Haryana’s experience in irrigation management, high-yield seeds, crop diversification, farm mechanisation, dairy development and post-harvest management can play a vital role in strengthening food security across African nations.
The Chief Minister specifically mentioned countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda as potential partners for joint farming initiatives, training programmes and technology transfer. Existing understandings with institutions like the Tanzania Investment Centre were cited as examples of how structured cooperation can expand trade, investment and agricultural collaboration. Beyond farming, Saini outlined opportunities in automobiles, healthcare, IT, construction, skill development, fintech, startups and MSMEs, suggesting that region-specific partnerships could be developed across North, South, East and West Africa.
Sustainability and shared responsibility towards future generations also featured prominently in the dialogue. The Chief Minister called renewable energy, water conservation and green growth common moral imperatives. He proposed joint initiatives in solar energy, water management and environmental protection, stressing that development must remain balanced and inclusive.
Industry and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh reinforced this perspective, describing the meet as a golden opportunity to further strengthen India–Africa trade relations, which have already reached an estimated USD 90–100 billion. He explained that India imports crude oil, gold, coal, fertilisers and minerals from Africa, while exporting petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and auto components, machinery, rice and engineering goods. Importantly, he noted that the partnership has expanded beyond goods to education, healthcare, IT and capacity building.
Rao Narbir Singh highlighted Haryana’s growing role in this trade ecosystem. The state exports auto components, tractors and agricultural machinery, pharmaceutical products, engineering goods, plywood and IT services to African markets, while importing minerals and select agri-based raw materials. Skill development and workforce mobility were identified as emerging areas of cooperation, with structured training, certification and legal employment pathways offering new opportunities for youth on both sides. The minister underlined that the shared goal is clear: boosting trade, attracting investment and institutionalising dialogue for sustainable, long-term engagement.
The meeting saw the presence of a distinguished diplomatic gathering, including representatives from Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Mauritania, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Cameroon, Djibouti, South Sudan, Rwanda, Eritrea, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Algeria and Sudan. Among them were Dalia M.A. Tantawy and Mohamed Ibrahim from Egypt; Hammadi Louati of Tunisia; Yavo Edem Akpémado of Togo; Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danquah and senior officials from Ghana; Ambassador H.M. Conte Alisane of Guinea; Mushabu Bashir Sadi of Nigeria; Mohamed El Mustapha Seydi of Mauritania; Ambassador Idjima Badda Mallot of Chad; Jojo Binti Josephine from DR Congo; High Commissioner Anisa Kapufi Mbega of Tanzania; and representatives from Cameroon, Rwanda, Eritrea, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi, among others.
Senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Sudhakar Dalela, Dr. Neena Malhotra, Suresh Kumar M., Sevala Naik Mude, Janesh Kain and A. Ajay Kumar, also participated, reflecting strong alignment between state-level initiatives and India’s national foreign policy. From the Haryana government, key officials such as Amneet P. Kumar, Dr. Saket Kumar, Makrand Pandurang, Ashok Meena, Yashpal, Parth Gupta, Pawan Chaudhary and others were present, ensuring comprehensive institutional coordination.
More than a diplomatic event, the Haryana–Africa Strategic Partnership Meet stood out as a blend of culture and commerce, where handicrafts and heritage complemented high-level discussions on trade, technology and sustainability. By leveraging platforms like Surajkund, Haryana is signalling that cultural diplomacy can be a powerful catalyst for economic growth and global partnerships, strengthening not only markets but also mutual understanding between India and Africa.
