Some editions of India Empire document events. Others capture a moment in history. This issue does both.

At the heart of the March 2026 edition is AFRICA FIRST, the India–Africa Diplomatic and Business Conference presented by India Empire in New Delhi. Held on February 11 at the FIEO Auditorium, the gathering brought together ambassadors, diplomats, policymakers, business leaders and strategic thinkers under a shared theme: “India and Africa: Partners in Progress.”

For decades, India and Africa have shared bonds rooted in history, culture, and the experience of nation-building. Yet today those ties are entering a new phase. What we witnessed at AFRICA FIRST was not merely diplomatic courtesy or ceremonial engagement. It was something deeper: a serious conversation about trade, investment, technology, agriculture, infrastructure, and the future of cooperation between two regions that together represent the aspirations of the Global South.

Africa today is one of the world’s most dynamic frontiers. Its young population, rapidly expanding cities, and growing consumer markets present immense opportunity. India, with its experience in digital public infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, manufacturing, and services, is uniquely positioned to be a long-term partner in Africa’s growth story.

Throughout the conference, ambassadors and business leaders spoke candidly about how the relationship must move forward: from aid to enterprise, from goodwill to structured partnerships, from isolated projects to long-term economic ecosystems. The result was a remarkable convergence of ideas and intent.

This edition therefore carries an extensive report on AFRICA FIRST, capturing the voices of diplomats, industry leaders, scholars, and policymakers who participated in the dialogue. Their insights reveal a shared conviction that the India–Africa partnership is not just about bilateral relations; it is about shaping a broader model of cooperation for emerging economies.

Closely linked to this theme of transformation is another defining development of our times: Artificial Intelligence.

India today stands at the centre of global conversations around digital innovation and AI governance. Our coverage of the AI Summit in New Delhi explores how governments, technologists, and business leaders are grappling with the immense possibilities and responsibilities of artificial intelligence. From public digital infrastructure and data governance to ethical frameworks and global collaboration, the summit demonstrated that India is emerging as an important voice in shaping the future of technology.

Technology, diplomacy, and industry increasingly intersect, and this issue reflects that reality.

Our second cover story features Dr Yogesh Bhatia, Chairman and Managing Director of LML Group, who speaks about building integrated manufacturing ecosystems that empower MSMEs and create globally competitive supply chains. In an era when manufacturing resilience and technological integration are becoming strategic priorities, his perspective highlights how India can build industrial platforms that serve both domestic growth and international markets.

The third cover story turns to a very different but equally compelling subject. Professor Viren Swami, one of the world’s most cited researchers on body image and cultural psychology, examines how society, media, and identity interact in shaping the human sense of self. His work reminds us that progress cannot be measured solely in economic indicators; cultural understanding and psychological wellbeing are equally vital components of modern societies.

Alongside these features, this edition continues to document the evolving landscape of diplomacy and international engagement. Across our pages you will find stories of India’s growing engagement with African nations and other global partners, reflecting a world in which economic cooperation, strategic dialogue, and cultural exchange increasingly move together.

The Indian diaspora remains an essential bridge in this process. Spread across continents, it continues to strengthen relationships between India and the world in business, politics, academia, and public life. Their contributions remain central to the mission of this publication.

For 21 years and over 255 editions, India Empire has chronicled the intersections of Indian diplomacy, global business, diaspora engagement, and political connectivity. From Africa to Europe, from the Caribbean to North America, the magazine has consistently sought to map the expanding geography of India’s influence and partnerships.

If AFRICA FIRST represents the spirit of this edition, it is because it symbolises something larger than a single conference. It reflects a shift in how India engages with the world: confidently, collaboratively, and with a long-term vision.

As the global order continues to evolve, India’s partnerships with Africa and the wider Global South will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future. Conversations like those that unfolded at AFRICA FIRST are therefore not merely diplomatic exchanges. They are the foundations of the next chapter in international cooperation.

We are proud that India Empire could host and document such a dialogue.

Sayantan Chakravarty
sayantanc@gmail.com