India’s growing engagement with Africa

Context

The recent visit of the Indian President to Mauritius underscores India’s growing engagement with Africa, marked by collaborative efforts in community development and the inauguration of essential projects.

Significance of India’s Engagement with Africa

• Investments and Trade

• • • India’s investments in Africa have witnessed massive growth, reaching $98 billion in 2023.
    • This huge funding displays India’s confidence in Africa’s economic capability and its commitment to fostering long-term partnerships.
    • Similarly, bilateral trade between India and Africa has surged, totalling $100 billion.
    • This trade features a wide range of sectors, inclusive of agriculture, manufacturing, generation, and offerings, contributing to financial growth and diversification in both regions.

• Developmental Projects

• • • These initiatives cover a diverse array of areas, including infrastructure development, healthcare, training, agriculture, and renewable energy.
    • By investing in such initiatives, India not only promotes economic development in Africa however also strengthens diplomatic ties and goodwill between the two regions.

• Export of Scalable Solutions

• • • India’s expertise in growing and imposing value-effective, scalable solutions has been instrumental in addressing diverse challenges faced by African countries.
    • Indian social organisations, NGOs, and government organizations have exported innovative solutions ranging from green housing to solar electricity technology.
    • These initiatives not only contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development but also enhance India’s reputation as a reliable partner committed to sharing knowledge and resources for mutual benefit.

• Mutual Prosperity and Development

• • By leveraging each other’s powers and resources, both regions stand to gain economically and socially.
  • India’s investments create employment opportunities, stimulate economic increase, and facilitate generation transfer in Africa, at the same time as African markets provide India with access to natural resources, new markets, and strategic partnerships.
  • This symbiotic relationship fosters financial resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth in both India and Africa.

Strategic Importance of India’s Advocacy for Africa’s Representation in Global Forums

• To Amplify Africa’s Representation and Voice

• • • India’s advocacy for Africa’s representation in international governance structures underscores its dedication to amplifying the voices of developing countries.
    • With Africa housing a considerable portion of the region’s population and contributing a large proportion of global GDP, ensuring its illustration is critical for fostering a more inclusive and equitable global order.
    • India’s guide for projects just like the African Union’s illustration in the G20 demonstrates its popularity of Africa’s importance in shaping international agendas and policies.

• A Push for Reform and Adaptation

• • • As the global landscape undergoes rapid transformation, there is a growing popularity of the need to adapt governance mechanisms to cope with rising challenges and promote sustainable development.
    • India’s advocacy for Africa’s inclusion in international forums displays its dedication to reforming establishments just like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank to better constitute the interests of developing nations.

• To Build Strategic Partnerships

• • India’s advocacy for Africa’s representation in international governance isn’t always merely altruistic but also strategic.
  • Recognising Africa’s developing influence in international affairs, India seeks to domesticate strategic partnerships with African countries to advance its interests on the global level.
  • By helping Africa’s participation in decision-making processes, India enhances its diplomatic leverage and strengthens its position as a leading voice in the Global South.
  • This strategic alignment of interests offers mutual cooperation and team spirit between India and Africa, amplifying their collective impact in shaping international agendas.

Historical Ties among India and Africa and the Potential for Future Developments

• Colonial Legacy and Liberation Movements

• • • India’s historical connections with Africa are rooted in its personal battle for independence from colonial rule.
    • During the colonial era, India and plenty of African nations shared similar experiences of exploitation and oppression under European colonial powers.
    • India performed an extensive position in supporting African liberation moves, supplying political, moral, and even cloth support to freedom combatants throughout the continent.
    • This shared records of anti-colonial warfare bureaucracy the premise of harmony and mutual knowledge between India and Africa.

• Cultural and People-to-People Ties

• • • The historical interactions among Indian buyers, scholars, and missionaries with African societies have left lasting imprints on both areas’ cultures, languages, and traditions.
    • Today, Indian groups thrive in various African nations, contributing to the cultural range and financial vibrancy of the continent.
    • These cultural connections serve as a bridge for deeper engagement and collaboration among India and Africa.

• Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance

• • • India’s development cooperation with Africa lines its roots to the early days of independence, while India extended technical help and ability-building aid to newly unbiased African countries.
    • Over the years, India has persisted to prioritise Africa in its overseas policy schedule, assisting in numerous fields such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
    • This longstanding commitment to Africa’s development reflects India’s recognition of the continent’s capacity and its preference to make a contribution to its development.

• Future Prospects and Economic Opportunities

• • • As Africa emerges as a key hub of financial interest and innovation, India stands to gain from deepening its economic ties with the continent.
    • Leveraging its historical connections and cultural affinity, India can explore new avenues for trade, funding, and digital switch in Africa.
    • Likewise, Africa can tap into India’s information in regions consisting of statistics technology, prescribed drugs, renewable power, and agriculture to gas its own development trajectory.

• Geopolitical Realignment and Strategic Partnerships

• • As traditional strength centres undergo ameliorations, India and Africa have an opportunity to forge closer strategic alliances primarily based on shared pursuits and values.
  • By aligning their diplomatic efforts and leveraging their collective strengths, India and Africa can play a more influential role in shaping the global schedule and addressing commonplace challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics.

Conclusion

• India’s multifaceted relation with Africa offers tremendous opportunities for economic, political, and social cooperation.
• As India seeks to claim its engagement in the Global South, prioritising engagement with African nations is crucial.
• As the world undergoes rapid changes, the synergy between India and Africa holds the promise of a  mutually beneficial and prosperous future.

Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q.Consider the following statements (2016)

1. The India-Africa Summit
2. Held in 2015 was the third such Summit
3. Was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a. 1 only                     b. 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2          c. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: “a”

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