Plans for a major gathering between India and African leaders have been put on hold after growing concerns over a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting the continuing challenge infectious diseases pose to international diplomacy and regional cooperation.
India and the African Union (AU) announced on Thursday that the India-Africa Forum Summit, originally scheduled to take place in New Delhi from May 28 to May 31, has been postponed. Officials cited the evolving public health situation in parts of Africa as the reason for the decision.
The summit was expected to bring together heads of state, senior government officials, business leaders, and development partners from across the African continent. It would have served as an important platform for discussions on trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, and security cooperation between India and African nations.
In a joint statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the African Union said the postponement was necessary to ensure the full participation of African leaders and stakeholders.
The statement noted that both sides reviewed the changing health situation and agreed that holding the summit at a later date would be the most practical option. No new date was announced.
Although officials did not directly mention Ebola in their statement, the decision came as health authorities in the DRC continued efforts to contain a worsening outbreak of the virus.
The development gained further urgency after the first confirmed Ebola case was reported in South Kivu Province, an area largely controlled by the AFC/M23 rebel alliance backed by Rwanda.
The case marks the first known infection linked to the current outbreak in South Kivu, raising concerns that the disease may be spreading beyond its initial hotspot.
According to a spokesperson for the AFC/M23 movement, laboratory tests confirmed the infection in Bukavu, the provincial capital that fell under rebel control in February 2025.
The victim, a 28-year-old man, reportedly travelled from Kisangani, a major city in Tshopo Province. Authorities said he died before doctors could officially confirm the diagnosis.
Congolese government officials had not publicly commented on the reported case at the time of the announcement.
The outbreak has already become one of the most serious health emergencies facing Central Africa this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 600 probable cases have been recorded, with approximately 139 suspected deaths linked to the virus.
Most infections have been concentrated in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC. The region remains difficult to access because of poor infrastructure and persistent insecurity caused by numerous armed groups operating in the area.
Health workers face significant challenges reaching affected communities, collecting samples, and tracking potential contacts of infected individuals. As a result, many reported figures are based on probable rather than laboratory-confirmed cases.
Cases have also been identified in neighbouring North Kivu and parts of Uganda. Until now, however, South Kivu had not reported any infections connected to the current outbreak.
The emergence of a case in rebel-held territory adds another layer of complexity to the response effort.
The AFC/M23 alliance has seized large areas of eastern DRC over the past two years and established parallel administrative structures in territories under its control. While the group has exercised authority over local governance, managing a public health emergency of this scale presents a different challenge.
Ebola outbreaks require coordinated disease surveillance, rapid testing, isolation procedures, contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, and strong cooperation between local authorities and international health agencies.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. Frontlines separating government forces from AFC/M23 fighters continue to divide parts of North and South Kivu, making movement difficult for aid workers and medical teams.
Humanitarian operations have also suffered setbacks since the closure of Goma International Airport following the capture of the city by AFC/M23 forces in January 2025. The airport had previously served as a critical entry point for emergency medical supplies and humanitarian assistance.
Another concern is the specific strain of the virus responsible for the outbreak. Health experts say the Bundibugyo strain currently circulating has no approved vaccine or targeted clinical treatment.
Although supportive medical care can improve survival rates, the absence of specialised vaccines limits options for containing transmission.
The WHO has assessed the risk posed by the outbreak as high within the DRC and neighbouring Central African countries. However, the agency maintains that the likelihood of a global pandemic remains low.
The outbreak comes at a difficult time for humanitarian organisations. Many aid agencies have faced budget reductions following cuts to international assistance programmes, including reductions in US foreign aid spending under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Funding shortages have affected emergency response efforts worldwide, forcing some organisations to scale back operations despite increasing humanitarian needs.
For India and African nations, the postponement of the summit reflects the practical realities of managing public health risks while maintaining international engagement. While the meeting has been delayed, both sides remain committed to holding the summit once conditions improve.
Until then, attention will remain focused on efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak and prevent further spread across one of Africa’s most fragile and conflict-affected regions.
