India’s African Diplomacy
This article is based on “The story of Indian diplomacy in Africa” which was published in The
Hindustan Times on 19/05/2021. It talks about the new opportunities in India-Africa relations.
Under the vaccine-maitri diplomacy, the Indian government aimed to become one of the major global
suppliers of Covid-19 vaccines, pledging deliveries to many developing and underdeveloped countries.
With this pledge, India directly targeted neighbours in South Asia as well as providing 10 million vaccine
doses to the African continent.
Although the devastation wreaked by the second wave of Covid-19 in India has led to much criticism of the
government’s vaccine-maitri diplomacy, this will have a forward-looking effect on India’s African
diplomacy.
India-Africa Relations
Strong Foreign Policy Linkages: India’s foreign policy ideas after Independence impacted
African decolonisation movements.
India’s role in organising the 1955 Bandung conference marked the first time that Asian
and African countries came together to denounce imperialism and colonialism.
Further, with the subsequent pioneering of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India
established many links to African nations.
Strong People-to-People Connection: Historically, Indian traders travelled regularly to the East
African coast, forming relationships with local inhabitants in ports leading to the establishment of
Africa-based family businesses, some of which exist even today.
This combined with the presence of an influential Indian diaspora has meant that India has
meaningful, and positive, relationships with many African countries.
Battling Chinese Influence: Because of the social capital India has in Africa, acquired through
the historical, political, economic and people-to-people ties, its presence is welcomed by African
countries in a way that China’s is not.
Chinese Challenge In Africa
Yet, despite these achievements, India’s immense social capital among African nations has not
matched this in material ties, and China’s economic and investment presence in Africa has been
outstripping India’s for many years.
China’s economic footprint in Africa dwarfs that of India, with over 10,000 Chinese firms operating
on the continent and China becoming Africa’s largest trading partner.
With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, China is essentially trying to offer an alternative
authoritarian model of development to African countries.
Way Forward: Opportunities In India-Africa Relations
India, as a Balancer: China has been actively pursuing chequebook and donation diplomacy in
Africa. However, Chinese investment is seen as neo-colonial in nature.
India’s approach, on the other hand, is one that focuses on building local capacities and an
equal partnership with Africans and not merely with African elites concerned.
In this context, though Africa has been actively engaged with China, it wants India to act as
a balancer and net security provider.
Enabling Strategic Convergence: Both India and Japan share a common interest in forging a
partnership for Africa’s development through the Asia-Africa Growth corridor.
In this context, India can leverage its global status to establish Africa on the strategic map
of global politics.
Becoming Voice of Developing World: Just as India and Africa fought colonialism together,
both can now collaborate together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a
voice for around one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India.
Preventing Global Rivalries: In recent years, several global economic players have
strengthened their engagement with African states, with an eye to rising economic opportunities,
including in energy, mining, infrastructure and connectivity.
As global engagement in Africa increases, India and Africa can ensure that Africa does not
once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions.
Conclusion
India has an intrinsic interest in helping Africa achieve progress. However, had India’s investments in
Africa kept any kind of comparable pace with that of China, it could have made deeper inroads today.
Drishti Mains Question
Though Africa has been actively engaged with China, it wants India to act as a balancer and net security
provider. Comment.
PDF Refernece URL: https://www.drishtiias.com/printpdf/india-s-african-diplomacy
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
