Shanmugam Ias Academy

Context:

Africa has nearly 17% of the world’s population and is projected to reach 25% by 2050. India’s rise as a key player in global affairs is closely tied to its partnership with Africa.
India and Africa are two continents with a lot of potential for cooperation. A recent report titled “India-Africa Partnership: Achievements, Challenges and Roadmap 2023” makes recommendations for how India can deepen and diversify its partnership with Africa.

What is the current state of geo-politics in Africa?

While progress is being made towards regional integration and the pursuit of democracy, peace, and progress, countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Central African Republic continue to grapple with insurgency, ethnic violence, and terrorism.
The landscape is further shaped by the competition among various external partners, including China, Russia, the United States, and the European Union who seek to strengthen their relations with different parts of Africa for market access, energy security, and political and economic influence.
China has emerged as Africa’s prominent economic partner, investing significantly in infrastructure development, resource provision, and financing.
In contrast, India maintains a substantive partnership with Africa and enjoys substantial goodwill. However, the report emphasizes the need for New Delhi to periodically review its Africa policy, adapt to necessary changes, and implement it with utmost focus.

What are the recommendations to improve India – Africa relations?

Political and diplomatic cooperation: The report recommends that India and Africa hold regular summits and dialogues to discuss common challenges and opportunities. For example, apart from the India Africa Forum Summits, the report calls for an annual strategic dialogue between the chairperson of the African Union (AU) and India’s External Affairs Minister. It also calls for the entry of AU into the G-20.
Defence and security cooperation: The report recommends that India and Africa increase their cooperation on defence and security issues, such as counter-terrorism and maritime security. It calls for expanding the credit lines for defence exports from India.
Economic and development cooperation: The report recommends that India and Africa increase their trade and investment ties, and that India provide more development assistance to Africa. India Africa trade can increase further from $98 billion in FY 22–23 if an Africa Growth Fund is established. The report also calls for an increase in exports by improving the logistics infrastructure, especially in the shipping sector.
Socio-cultural cooperation: The report recommends that India and Africa increase their cultural and educational exchanges, and that India make it easier for Africans to study and work in India. The scholarships provided by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to African students should be named in honour of renowned African figures.

Conclusion:

The report’s recommendations are timely, as India and Africa are increasingly interconnected in the 21st century. By deepening and diversifying its partnership with Africa, India can help to promote peace, security, and prosperity on the continent.

Current Affairs