Sansad TV: India’s Africa Outreach | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

India's Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu, recently concluded a landmark visit to Gabon, Senegal, and Qatar, marking India's first high-level delegation to Gabon and Senegal. This visit has injected renewed vigor into India's engagement with Africa, underscoring its commitment to the continent. The trip included delegation level talks, signing of crucial MoUs, and coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Senegal. India's approach to Africa is grounded in the principles of equality, mutual respect, and benefit, aligning with Africa-owned and Africa-led development.

Importance of Africa

Africa holds significant geostrategic importance for India, particularly the Horn of Africa region due to its proximity. The region presents challenges such as radicalism, piracy, and organized crime, making security cooperation crucial. Additionally, Africa offers opportunities for diversifying energy sources, tapping into valuable minerals and metals, attracting Indian investment, and addressing India's food security through agricultural collaborations. Moreover, Africa's geopolitical support is pivotal for India's pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India has actively contributed to African countries' peace and stability through UN peacekeeping operations and capacity building initiatives, thus showcasing both its soft and hard power.

Strategies Adopted by the Indian Government

India has adopted various strategies to strengthen its engagement with Africa, operating at both the pan-African and bilateral levels. At the pan-African level, India focuses on broad-based engagement through partnerships with regional organizations, development initiatives through the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and BRICS platforms, and sustained bilateral engagement with individual African countries. Additionally, involving Indian communities and the Indian diaspora in Africa fosters deeper people-to-people connections and collaboration. These multifaceted strategies ensure India's comprehensive and sustained presence in Africa.

Africa at a Critical Juncture

Africa's economic growth is estimated at 3.2 percent in 2018, with several countries experiencing rapid growth rates. The continent offers lucrative incentives to attract foreign investors, positioning itself as a promising partner for India's economic diversification and expansion. India's historical ties, including trade partnerships, socio-cultural linkages, and support for anti-imperial struggles during the Nehruvian era, lay the foundation for a strong relationship with Africa. However, the contemporary relationship has witnessed a shift, focusing on developmental initiatives, skills transfer, and knowledge sharing. Indian sub-national organizations and state governments are actively fostering independent relationships with their African counterparts, leading to mutually beneficial collaborations across various sectors.

Contrasting Approaches: India and China

While India's engagement with Africa prioritizes job creation and local empowerment, China's approach has faced criticism for bringing its own labor force and creating debt burdens on host countries. India's model emphasizes cooperation on equal terms and aligns with Africa's aspirations for sustainable development. The palpable goodwill towards people of Indian origin in Africa, facilitated by cultural connections and Bollywood's influence, provides a unique advantage in fostering deeper ties.

Role of Indian Businesses

Indian businesses are actively involved across diverse sectors in Africa, including agriculture, engineering, construction, film distribution, manufacturing, advertising, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. These enterprises contribute to Africa's economic growth and reinforce India's position as a reliable partner. By leveraging their expertise and resources, Indian businesses play a crucial role in driving economic cooperation and promoting mutual prosperity.

The Way Forward

To enhance the impact of India's development assistance in Africa, a direct approach is recommended, with aid disbursed bilaterally and aligned with the recipient countries' national priorities. This approach ensures that recipient countries become significant stakeholders and co-investors from project initiation to operation. Prioritizing countries that align with India's strategic interests, both existing and potential, can optimize the utilization of aid. Consideration should be given to countries that reciprocate India's access to natural resources and preferential treatment of generics. Furthermore, aid projects should be tailored to local requirements, cost-effective, scalable, future-ready, and commercially replicable. Emphasizing the involvement of India's public sector in implementing aid projects fosters transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

India's Africa Outreach program marks a decisive shift towards strengthening engagement and cooperation with the African continent. The visit of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu to Gabon and Senegal has reinvigorated India's commitment to Africa, reflecting the principles of equality, mutual respect, and benefit. By adopting comprehensive strategies, promoting people-to-people connections, and emphasizing developmental initiatives, India is poised to deepen its relationship with Africa. As India and Africa forge a path towards shared growth and prosperity, it is imperative to prioritize sustainable development, inclusivity, and collaboration for a brighter future.