New Delhi: India and the African Union have postponed the Fourth India Africa Forum Summit that was scheduled to take place in New Delhi later this month as concerns grow over the worsening Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
The summit, which was expected to be held from May 28 to May 31, was set to bring together leaders, ministers, diplomats, and senior officials from across Africa and India for discussions on trade, investment, health care, education, technology, energy, and security cooperation. It was expected to be one of India’s biggest international diplomatic events of the year.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the African Union announced the postponement on Thursday, saying the decision was taken because of the current public health situation in several African countries. Officials said both sides agreed that delaying the summit was the safest decision for delegates and participants.
The move comes as health authorities continue to battle a fast spreading Ebola outbreak mainly affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. International health experts have raised concerns that the disease could spread further if stronger control measures are not implemented quickly.
The World Health Organization recently declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after confirmed and suspected cases increased sharply in central Africa. Medical teams have been working in difficult conditions, especially in conflict affected areas of eastern Congo where insecurity and violence have complicated emergency health operations.
Reports from health officials say the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare version of the virus for which there is still no approved vaccine. This has added to concerns among governments and international aid agencies.
The latest confirmed cases were reported in South Kivu province in eastern Congo, an area facing instability because of armed rebel activity. Local authorities said some patients died before laboratory confirmation could be completed, increasing fears that many infections may still be undetected.
Uganda has also reported Ebola infections connected to the outbreak. Health officials there have intensified border screening and public awareness campaigns in an effort to stop the virus from spreading into larger population centers.
India has meanwhile increased health surveillance at international airports and issued advisories for travelers arriving from affected countries. Health officials have held emergency preparedness meetings with state governments, airport authorities, and medical institutions to review screening procedures and isolation facilities.
Diplomatic sources said India did not want to risk holding a large international gathering at a time when health concerns remain serious. Officials added that the decision was taken in consultation with African partners and was not linked to any political disagreement.
The India Africa Forum Summit is considered an important platform for strengthening ties between India and African nations. Since its launch in 2008, the summit has helped expand cooperation in areas including infrastructure, digital technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and development partnerships.
India has also increased investments and development assistance in Africa over the past decade while competing with other global powers seeking stronger influence on the continent.
This is not the first time the India Africa Forum Summit has been affected by Ebola. The third summit, originally planned for 2014, was also delayed because of the Ebola crisis in West Africa before finally being held in 2015.
Officials from both India and the African Union said a fresh date for the summit would be announced after further consultations and once the health situation improves across the affected regions.