India and Africa Relations

Focus Areas of India – Africa Relations

Historical Background
- Both regions have a shared colonial past that is evident with the presence of Indian indentured labourers in Africa.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s support for reforms in Africa and influence of his methods on African leaders like Nelson Mandela.
- Natal Indian Congress was formed in 1894 in South Africa.
- Phoenix settlement and Gandhi’s Tolstoy Farm were established there.
- India supported decolonisation of Africa and the end of racial discrimination.
Post Independence Scenario
- Through the Bandung Declaration of 1955, the group of 77, and the NAM, India established political ties with African countries.
- Cold War Period: India’s NAM (Non-Alignment) policy provided the world with a third front with the African nations as the stabilising elements.
Political Engagement
- India and Africa are politically engaged through India-Africa Forums and summits.
- India engages in time to time talks with the African Union.
- India and African nations shared common global platforms like the G20, BRICS, IBSA.
- India actively collaborates with African organizations, including the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
- African nations’ support is crucial for India’s permanent membership in the UNSC.
- Since 2008, the India-Africa Forum Summit has been a significant diplomatic platform, with three editions held (2008, 2011, and 2015) that foster high-level dialogues
- India’s partnership with Africa is an example of South-South cooperation, where both parties collaborate on equal terms without the traditional donor-recipient hierarchy.
Economic Engagement
- Development Projects
  - Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) offers scholarships and training.
  - Pan-African e-Network Project provides tele-education and telemedicine.
  - Another Initiative is the India – Africa Economic Corridor.
  - India has extended $12 billion in Lines of Credit (LOC) for infrastructure and other projects.
India – Africa Defence Relations
- Defence Cooperation: There are growing areas of collaboration between India and African nations in the defence sector, including:
  - Training and Capacity Building: Indian military academies offer training courses to African officers, helping to build their military skills and expertise.
  - Joint Military Exercises: India conducts joint military exercises with several African countries, such as “SUDIR” (India-South Africa) and “ITAMAR” (India-Tanzania). These exercises enhance interoperability between the militaries of both nations and promote greater military cooperation.
- Defence Equipment Sales: India is a growing exporter of defence equipment to Africa. India offers a wide range of military equipment, including warships, fighter jets, and armoured vehicles, at competitive prices.
- Focus on Maritime Security: India and Africa have a shared interest in maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean. The two sides cooperate on maritime security issues such as piracy, counter-terrorism, and disaster relief operations.
- Countering Terrorism and Extremism: India and Africa face common threats from terrorism and extremism. The two sides share intelligence and expertise to counter these threats.
- Defence Industrial Cooperation: India and Africa are exploring opportunities for joint ventures and technology transfer in the field of defence production. This cooperation could help to boost Africa’s defence capabilities and create new economic opportunities for both sides.
Humanitarian Assistance
- During the pandemic, India provided millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines to African countries through the COVAX initiative and bilateral support, which strengthened India’s image as a reliable partner.
Climate Change
- India and African nations are increasingly collaborating on sustainability initiatives, including renewable energy projects, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
- India supports African countries’ stance on climate justice and has engaged African nations through the International Solar Alliance (ISA), promoting solar energy to mitigate climate change.

Significance of Africa for India

Resource-rich continent: Africa possesses abundant natural resources like oil, gas, minerals, and agricultural products, offering potential for trade and investment partnerships.
Growing market: Africa’s growing population and emerging middle class present a vast market for Indian goods and services, especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and information technology.
Investment destinations: Several African countries offer attractive investment climates, making them potential destinations for Indian businesses seeking expansion opportunities.
Diplomatic influence: Africa’s 54 nations form a powerful bloc in international forums, and India’s engagement with Africa can enhance its global standing.
Maritime security: Africa’s eastern coast is crucial for India’s maritime security interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Challenges in India-Africa Relations

Economic Competition: Intense competition from nations like China, the U.S., and the EU, especially with China’s extensive investments, challenges India’s influence in Africa.
Infrastructure Limitations: Weak infrastructure and logistics in parts of Africa raise trade costs and create obstacles for Indian projects and businesses.
Financial Constraints: India’s limited financial resources compared to other nations impact its ability to invest at scale across Africa.
Political Instability and Security Risks: Conflicts and terrorism in regions such as North and East Africa pose risks to Indian personnel, investments, and regional stability. For example – Military coups in countries like Mali.
Limited Diplomatic Presence: India has fewer embassies and consulates across Africa, limiting diplomatic reach and continuity.
Trade Imbalance: Africa’s primary exports to India are raw materials, while India exports mainly value-added products, creating a trade imbalance.
Slow Project Implementation: Bureaucratic delays and funding issues affect the timely execution of Indian-funded development projects.
Visa Challenges: Stringent visa policies can strain people-to-people connections and limit African engagement with India.
Private Sector Limitations: Indian private sector presence is limited compared to Chinese and Western firms, especially among smaller Indian companies.
Language and Cultural Barriers: Language differences and limited cultural connections make communication and cooperation more challenging.
Image and Soft Power Issues: Stereotypes and incidents of discrimination in India impact the perception of India in African countries.
Need for Policy Frameworks: India requires more structured and sustained policy frameworks, like a stronger India-Africa Forum Summit, for long-term engagement.