The 20-member Africa Expert Group (AEG), sanctioned by the Vivekananda International Foundation recently presented a report titled ‘India-Africa Partnership: Achievements, Challenges and Roadmap 2030’. This report underlines India’s substantial association with Africa and accentuates the need for continuous policy review and execution to fortify this relationship. With Africa accommodating around 17% of the worldwide population, likely to reach 25% by 2050, India acknowledges its significant part in the collaboration as an emerging global influence.
Decoding the Changes in Africa
Africa is witnessing significant modifications in its demographics, economy, politics, and society. It is progressively working towards regional amalgamation and is committed to advancing democracy, peace, and progress. Nonetheless, a few nations such as Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Central African Republic continue to struggle with challenges posed by insurgency, ethnic violence, and terrorism.
Competition and External Players in Africa
Multiple external partners including China, Russia, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates actively contest to reinforce their relations with different parts of Africa. Their objective is to secure market access, energy and mineral resources, and intensify their political and economic sway in the region.
The Role of China in Africa
China has emerged as Africa’s chief economic ally since 2000. It plays a significant function as an infrastructure designer, resource supplier, and financier in Africa. China has made substantial investments in terms of finances, materials, and diplomatic efforts.
Recommendations to Bolster India- Africa Ties
The report carries several recommendations to strengthen the India-Africa partnership.
Strengthening Political and Diplomatic Cooperation
Recommendations include restoring periodic leaders’ summits via the India-Africa Forum Summit, encouraging consensus among G-20 members on AU’s full membership, and establishing a dedicated secretary in the MEA for African affairs.
Boosting Defence and Security Cooperation
Suggestions are made to increase the number of defence attachés in Africa, strengthen maritime collaboration, expand dialogue on defence issues, and extend Lines of Credit to facilitate defence exports.
Deepening Economic and Development Cooperation
The report recommends promoting India-Africa trade via an Africa Growth Fund (AGF), improving project exports, enhancing cooperation in shipping domain, and focusing on trilateral cooperation.
Intensifying Socio-Cultural Cooperation
It is suggested to facilitate greater interaction between Indian and African universities, think tanks, civil society, and media organizations, and to liberalize visa measures for African students pursuing higher education in India.
Implementing Roadmap 2030
To implement ‘Roadmap 2030’ effectively, the report advises establishing a special mechanism led jointly by the Secretary, Africa in the MEA, and a designated Deputy National Security Adviser.
Achievements of India-Africa Relations
India-Africa relations have seen marked achievements in areas like economic cooperation, development assistance, health collaboration, defence cooperation, and technology and digital cooperation.
Economic Cooperation
Between 2011-2022, there was an increase in India’s total goods trade with Africa from USD 68.54 billion to USD 90.52 billion.
Development Assistance
The ITEC program offers training and capacity building programs to African professionals.
Health Collaboration
Indian pharmaceutical companies have provided affordable generic medicines to African countries, thereby contributing to improved healthcare access.
Defence Cooperation
India has signed MoUs with all African nations on the Indian Ocean Rim, evident of increased defence engagement with African countries.
Technology and Digital Cooperation
Under the Pan African e-Network Project (initiated in 2009), India has set up a fibre-optic network to provide satellite connectivity, tele-medicine and tele-education to countries of Africa.
The Importance of Africa for India
Africa is home to over half a dozen of the fastest growing countries of this decade such as Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, etc., making it one of the growth poles of the world. Africa is a resource-rich nation dominated by commodities like crude oil, gas, pulses and lentils, leather, gold and other metals. All of which India lacks in sufficient quantities. India is seeking diversification of its oil supplies away from the Middle East and Africa can play an important role in India’s energy matrix.
