Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that closer security and defence cooperation would be the keystone of bilateral ties with African nations.
He said the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) would be held every five years in future.
In his closing remarks at the third IAFS here, Modi said India would improve its scholarship programme and provide a supportive atmosphere to African students studying in India.
He said partnership between India and African nations was natural and their destinies interlinked.
Modi earlier released commemorative coins and postage stamps at the IAFS.