Africa-Press – Mozambique. India and the African Union have announced the postponement of the India-Africa summit, which was scheduled to take place in New Delhi from May 28 to 31, due to the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the evolving health situation in several Central African countries.
A joint statement clarified that the decision was made following consultations between the two sides regarding the current health conditions on the African continent, noting that a new date for the summit has not yet been set and will be announced later after assessing health developments.
Indian authorities emphasized that the postponement aims to ensure the full and safe participation of all invited delegations and stakeholders, particularly amid growing concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus in the region. This summit is the first of its kind since the last India-Africa summit held in 2015.
India has expressed its readiness to contribute to the efforts led by African centers for disease control and prevention to contain the virus outbreak and address its health implications in affected countries.
Additionally, Indian health authorities have issued recommendations and precautionary measures for travelers coming from countries classified as “high-risk,” which include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, as part of their efforts to prevent the transmission of the infection.
The World Health Organization confirmed on Tuesday, May 20, that the risk of Ebola virus outbreak in Central Africa remains “high,” while considering the global risk level to be “low.”
