It is a deferral of sorts for what was meant to be a high-profile gathering after a decade. But officials on both sides have made it clear that the decision to step back was made in good faith, after talks with the Government of India, the AU Chairperson and the Commission. A joint statement puts it plainly: given the way the health context has been developing, it is wiser to bring the Fourth Summit together at some point down the line. We will let you know when new dates are in place.
Health measures and travel guidance
You could say the timing is no coincidence. The WHO has already put the outbreaks in the DR Congo and Uganda in the category of an international public health emergency. “Pandemics don’t see borders,” said Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, for the AU Commission, this week, calling for a show of solidarity. And with delegates from as many as 40 countries in the offing – some from places now considered high risk – India’s Union Health Ministry has put out an advisory for all our points of entry, from seaports to airports.
Passengers arriving from or transiting through the following countries have been asked to report to airport health officers if symptomatic:
– DR Congo
– Uganda
– South Sudan
What to watch next
The notice is to keep an eye out for any tell-tale signs: a fever, unexplained bleeding, vomiting, or even a sore throat. It’s about nipping potential cases in the bud before they even make it through immigration.
India-Africa partnership signals
That said, the partnership between India and the African Union is as strong as ever. The MEA has said we are on board to help with the Africa CDC’s work, in keeping with a response led by Africa. Our goal is to build up capacity where it’s needed and to keep the co-operation moving forward, so we can come back to the table with everything in order.
What changes now, what continues
For now, it’s a matter of shuffling some logistics. The plan is to adjust timelines and put health first. But the substance of what we want to do on the economic and development front is not going anywhere. This isn’t a retreat; it’s a pause. When things settle, we’ll be ready to get back to it with a clear head.
Key developments to monitor include:
– Announcement of new Summit dates
– Updates to India’s travel advisory
– Africa CDC coordination details
