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INDIA-AFRICA by Atrishekhar Sir - Coggle Diagram
INDIA-AFRICA by Atrishekhar Sir
CHINA’S GROWING FOOTPRINT IN AFRICA
● China launched 'Going Out' policy in 2001
● China is Africa’s biggest bilateral trade partner
● key arms supplier to the Continent
● Increasing Africa’s dependency on China
China’s projects in Africa
The four major areas of China’s interest are natural resources, maritime interest, financial assistance and infrastructural projects and infrastructure investment.
• China is also funding $200 million for the construction of the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa.
• It has also made a significant investment in railway building, the Addis-Djibouti railway line connecting the and-locked country with Eritrean ports in the Red Sea.
• China’s interest in Africa is due to the presence of natural resources like oil and coal. It has invested $400 million in the Mombasa oil terminal.
• China is also interested in metallic minerals such as gold, iron ore, and precious stone along with chemicals,oil and natural gas in Ethiopia.
• In maritime interest, China has its military base in Djibouti and is also willing to develop the Eritrea coast
Significance
● Geostrategic - threat of radicalism, piracy
● Geopolitical - permanent seat at UNSC
● Eco- growing middle class, agr land
● Energy security
Europeans termed Africa as a “dark continent” but today world is viewing it as “Continent of hope”
As mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India and Africa share an “emotional link” based on our shared history of struggle against colonialism and our aspiration to bring prosperity to our people.
Sharpening competition among external powers: Countries such as China, the US, Japan, Türkiye, and UAE are competing for strengthening their relations with Africa to ensure –
Market access,
Gain energy and mineral security, and
Increase political and economic influence.
Africa has a large working-age population, a growing middle class and a wealth of raw materials including gold, diamonds, oil and minerals.
Concerns
● Modest eco engagement
● Slow project delivery
● Lack of synchronisation
● Lack of resources
● Land grabbing
● Cumbersome bureaucracy
This is a worrisome issue for India:
• Chinese economic engagement with Africa is not limited to resources. Although trade in resources such as crude oil and copper account for the bulk of trade between China and Africa, China has sanctioned
infrastructure for resource loans worth billions of dollars. Example: Nairobi Expressway.
• Demand for African exports was one of the most direct channels through which China penetrated Africa.
India prefers to focus on India’s long-term commitment to African development, development cooperation initiatives like Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Lines of Credit (LoCs) as well as the need for African votes for a permanent seat in the United Nations.
COOPERATION
GEOSTRATEGIC
AFINDEX-19 underscores India’s growing military-to-military ties with a range of African states.
Indian ocean like Indian Ocean Naval symposium (IONS), SAGAR, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Eight foreign countries - Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania - participated in the annual Annual Joint HADR Exercise, which concluded in Goa.
Faith in Non-Alignment-
Operation Vanilla 2020- It was an Indian operation to provide HADR to Mozambique in the wake ofCyclone Diane INS Airavat (amphibious ship)
Operation Sahayata 2019- It was an Indian operation to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Mozambique in 2019. Cyclone IDAI
INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi and INS Shardul undertook HADR
GEOECONOMIC
Credit Facilities- India has sanctioned 182 LoC projects in Africa through the Export Import (EXIM) Bank of India, with a total credit commitment of about US$ 10.5 billion
India-Africa trade of $98 billion in FY22–23 can go up if access to finance through the creation of an Africa Growth Fund (AGF) is ensured.
A special package of measures –
To improve project exports and build up cooperation in the shipping domain has been suggested.
To promote trilateral cooperation and deepen S&T cooperation.
Trade & Investment: Momentum Continues
Bilateral trade crossed $100 billion (FY 2024–25), making India one of Africa’s top trading partners.
India has invested $75–80 billion cumulatively in Africa, spanning:
Pharmaceuticals & healthcare
Energy & critical minerals
Digital infrastructure and fintech
Agriculture & food security
India’s Duty‑Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme continues to benefit 38 African least‑developed countries
Transfer of Technology-
GEOPOLITICAL
It should be strengthened by restoring periodic leaders’ summits through the medium of the India-Africa Forum Summit (not held since 2015).
A new annual strategic dialogue between the chairperson of the African Union (AU) and India’s External Affairs Minister should be launched in 2023.
Forging consensus among G-20 members on the AU’s entry into the G-20 as a full member.
The MEA should have a secretary exclusively in charge of African affairs to further enhance the implementation and impact of the African policy.
India–Africa Forum Summit IV (IAFS‑IV) – Big Headline
India will host the 4th India–Africa Forum Summit from May 28–31, 2026, in New Delhi, after a 10‑year gap.
Theme highlights: enduring partnership, innovation, resilience, and inclusive transformation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described India–Africa ties as a source of “stability in a turbulent world”.
Leaders from across Africa, the African Union Commission, and regional bodies are expected to attend.
Strategic & Defence Cooperation Expands
Defence and maritime cooperation are being driven by India’s “MAHASAGAR” vision (maritime security in the Indian Ocean).
Recent focus areas include:
Anti‑piracy operations
Naval exercises & joint training
UN peacekeeping collaboration
India has expanded defence ties with countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, and Kenya.
Morocco now hosts India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility in Africa
Development & Capacity Building
India has committed over $10 billion in Lines of Credit for infrastructure, power, water, railways, and irrigation projects across Africa.
Flagship initiatives:
ITEC & ICCR scholarships (40,000+ Africans trained)
e‑Vidya Bharati & e‑Arogya Bharati (e‑VBAB) for education & tele‑medicine
IIT‑Madras Zanzibar campus, a major education milestone
India has opened 17 new embassies in Africa since 2015, expanding its diplomatic footprint to 46 missions
UN peacekeeping
Security and Defence cooperation
They have moved joint proposals, such as the Agricultural Framework Proposal and Protection of Geographical Indications, at WTO and World Intellectual Property Organisation
Reform of global governance institutions-
