India’s Strategic Focus: Centering Africa in the Global South Vision

GS Paper-2

Syllabus: International Relations

Source: IE

Context: India’s relationship with African nations is crucial in its vision for the Global South, especially as it seeks to navigate a changing global landscape.

What is India’s Global South Vision?

India’s Global South Vision emphasizes fostering strategic partnerships with nations in the Southern Hemisphere, aiming for a more equitable and inclusive global order. It focuses on economic cooperation, multilateralism, and solidarity among developing countries to address common challenges and promote sustainable development.

Africa’s Importance for India’s Global South Vision:

• Economic Partnerships: India and Africa boast immense economic potential, with Indian investments exceeding $98 billion in 2023 and bilateral trade totalling $100 billion.

• Strategic Influence: Africa’s presence in global forums is pivotal for India’s vision of rule-based global governance, as demonstrated by India’s advocacy for the African Union in the G20 summit.

• Energy Security: Cooperation in the energy sector is crucial, with Africa possessing 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves essential for India’s transition to a low-carbon future, particularly in solar panel and battery production.

Other aspects of India-Africa Relations:

Aspect | Details

Cultural | India’s relations with Africa are deeply rooted in cultural and civilizational ties, reflecting ideologies of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam” and “Ubuntu”

Political | India offers assistance in defence capabilities, promoting security cooperation and countering China’s military presence

India and Africa cooperate on global issues, advocating for the interests of developing countries and pursuing reforms in global governance institutions

Shared Vision | India views Africa as a foreign policy priority, offering support without conditionality or a hidden agenda.

Hamid Ansari has ives 4 imperatives for cooperation between India and Africa 1. Common historical experiences and cultural links. 2. Complementarities in strengths and capabilities. 3. A common approach in meeting developmental challenges. 4. Convergence of views of global matters.

PM Modi– The warmth and depth of the connections between Indian and African countries have been the pillars of India’s foreign policy, leading to a “strong emotional link“.

Development Assistance | India offers training and capacity-building programs through the ITEC program

India has worked with Japan to create the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)

India has increased lending to Africa to counter China’s influence, including $32 billion in credit across 42 African countries over the past decade.

Health Collaboration | Indian pharmaceutical companies provide affordable generic medicines

India deploys medical teams and offers technical assistance to combat diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and Ebola in African countries.

Defence Cooperation | India has signed MoUs with all African nations on the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR)

Hosts the India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) at the defence ministers’ level

Conducts trilateral maritime exercises to enhance maritime cooperation with countries like Tanzania and Mozambique.

Technology and Digital Cooperation | India sets up a fibre-optic network for satellite connectivity, telemedicine, and tele-education in Africa under the Pan African e-Network Project

Introduces initiatives like e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti (e-VBAB) to provide free tele-education and medical education to African students and healthcare professionals.

Education and Skill Development | Collaboration between Indian and African educational institutions enhances educational opportunities and skill development, facilitated by programs like ITEC.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability | Joint initiatives in renewable energy and sustainable development, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), combat climate change with the participation of 38 African member countries.

Peacekeeping and Diplomacy | India and Africa collaborate in global forums, advocating for peace, stability, and reforms in global institutions like the UN Security Council and the WTO

India led the proposal for including the African Union in the G20.

1. 1.Common historical experiences and cultural links.

1. 1.Complementarities in strengths and capabilities.

1. 1.A common approach in meeting developmental challenges.

1. 1.Convergence of views of global matters.

Challenges faced by African countries:

• Misgovernance: Poor governance, corruption, and lack of accountability e.g., countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Central African Republic face insurgency, ethnic violence, and terrorism

• Unplanned Development: Rapid population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation.

• Dominance of Ruling Tribes: Ethnic and tribal conflicts and monopolization of power.

• Inter-Tribal Scrimmage: Frequent clashes over resources.

• Terrorism: Threats from Islamic extremism and global networks.

• Changing Climate: Vulnerability to climate change impacts.

• Runaway Food Inflation: High food prices affecting millions.

• External Interventions: Military interventions worsen situations.

• Return of Military Generals: Reemergence of military leadership.

• Competition and External Players: Various external actors, including China, Russia, the US, EU, Japan, Turkey, and UAE, are actively vying for influence in Africa, seeking market access, resources, and political power.

How can India help Africa?

Area | Strategies

Political Support | Use diplomatic influence to support peace, democracy, and development. Advocate for African interests in global forums. Foster regional cooperation through support for African Union initiatives such as such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)

Economic Partnership | Enhance trade and investment ties. Provide market access and preferential tariffs. Offer Indian innovations and force multipliers

Promote India-Africa trade through the creation of an Africa Growth Fund (AGF) to enhance access to finance

Security Cooperation | Provide training, equipment, and intelligence to security forces. Contribute to peacekeeping missions. Collaborate in countering terrorism, piracy, and organized crime

Poverty and Hunger | Adapt Indian microfinance and agricultural practices to empower communities in Africa. Utilize South-South cooperation platforms for knowledge exchange

Health and Disease Burden | Provide affordable healthcare solutions using expertise in generic drug production and telemedicine. Joint research efforts on infectious and neglected tropical diseases

Inclusiveness of Global South | E.g., India advocated for AU’s full membership in G20 (accepted under India’s G20 Presidency)

Piracy and Terror | Conduct joint military exercises. Share information and capacity-building programs

Climate Action | Collaborate on projects to mitigate climate change impacts. Support initiatives like the Great Green Wall

UN Reforms | Advocate for equitable representation of Africa in international organizations, including the UN Security Council

Implementing the ‘Roadmap 2030’ | Form a team led by the MEA’s Secretary for Africa and a Deputy National Security Adviser. Following this roadmap will bolster India’s partnership with Africa, enhancing global stature.

The Roadmap 2030 is a set of policy recommendations that aims to deepen and diversify the relationship between India and Africa.

Several challenges have hindered the realization of India-Africa’s potential. One major obstacle is the lack of a comprehensive and focused African policy by India, which has led to a lack of strategic direction in its engagement with African countries.

Additionally, China’s dominant presence in Africa has raised concerns about India’s limited involvement and competition in the region. The disparity in investment between India and China, the impact of multilateral treaties on trade, and issues related to political instability and terrorism further complicate the relationship.

Conclusion

India’s robust ties with Africa present vast opportunities for economic, political, and social collaboration. Prioritizing engagement with African nations is crucial for India’s leadership in the Global South. Amid global transformations, the synergy between India and Africa promises a mutually beneficial and prosperous future.

In this regard, PM Modi has stated that “*Just as India and Africa fought colonialism together, we will work together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice and a role for one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and Indi*a.”

Insta Links:

• India-Africa ties

Mains Link:

• How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource-rich Africa? (UPSC 2014)

• Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically Examine. (UPSC 2015)

Prelims Link:

Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)

• The India-Africa Summit

• held in 2015 was the third such Summit

• 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 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: A