New Delhi, May 22:
India and the African Union (AU) have postponed the India–Africa Forum Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28 to May 31, due to an “emerging public health situation” in Africa, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The fourth edition of the summit was expected to bring together leaders and ministers to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, digital technology, sustainability, development, and global governance.
However, after reviewing the evolving health situation, both sides agreed it would be advisable to defer the meeting to a later date. The ministry did not give detailed reasons, but the decision comes amid concerns over an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a rare Ebola strain for which no vaccine is available. The World Health Organization has reported around 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths in the outbreak that began about two months ago.
India said new dates for the summit will be announced later once conditions improve.