• After the independence, India chooses to be neutral and lead Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to represent the voice of developing countries or global south at various international institution.
• Africa is sum of 54 countries and most of them are developing or least develop.
• India will be hosting two major summits in 2023 where it has opportunity to represent the South at G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
• However, to truly represent the South, it is essential for India to grasp the mood and changes in Africa, especially in its external partnerships. 

Washington summit

• Recently, 2^nd Us-Africa summit was held in Washington.
• It was between 49 African countries, African union (AU) chair and President of USA.

USA’s announcement towards Africa during the summit

• It deliberated on ways to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and future pandemics, respond to the climate crisis, promote food security and deepen diasporic ties.

• US announced support for AU to join G20 as a permanent member.
• It can be implemented immediately with cooperation with India.
• US said it fully support reforming UN security council (UNSC) to include permanent representation of Africa.
• However, this support is vague as it is unclear when or if UNSC reform will happen.
• It announced investments worth $21 billion to International Monetary Fund to provide access to necessary financing for low-and middle-income countries.
• To boost security capacity with African partners, it will run pilot programme worth $10 million.
• US planned to invest $55 billion in Africa over the next three years.

China’s Prescence in Africa

• China has emerged as largest trading partner of Africa ahead of USA.
• U.S.-Africa trade (2021): $44.9 billion
• China-Africa trade (2021): $254 billion
• It is fourth largest investor in African continent.
• U.S. investment in Sub-Saharan Africa (2020): $30.31 billion,
• China’s investment in Africa (2020): $43.4 billion.

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

• It was established in 2000.
• It is composed of ministers and leaders of Africa and China.
• Its summits are organised in every three years on alternative basis between China and any African capital.
• China has full-fledge inner ministerial mechanism to ensure timely implementation of FOCAC decisions.
• Last meeting was at Dakar (Capital of Senegal) in 2021.
• It expressed support for the Chinese agenda: One-China Principle, the Global Development Initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the vision of a community with a shared future.
• It also applauded the decision by the 2018 FOCAC summit in Beijing to build “a China-Africa community” that strives for “win-win cooperation.”

India–Africa Relations

Historic Ties

• India’s equity in Africa is older than China and US.
• India-Africa both share civilisation and historic links, anti-colonial sentiments political and emotional, diasporic goodwill, and embedded feeling of south-south cooperation.

India-Africa Trade Relation

• India is fourth largest trading partner of Africa.
• It has now reached US$ 89.5 billion in 2021-2022 compared with US$ 56 billion the previous year.
• India mostly export Petroleum products followed by pharmaceutical products, vehicles, and cereals.

Indian Investments in Africa

• It is US$73.9 billion between period of April 1996 to March 2022.
• Its top destinations: Mauritius, Mozambique, Sudan, Egypt and South Africa.

Suggestions to improve India-Africa relations

African representation in G20

• India is a host to G20 in 2023.
• India should ensure that African union becomes the permanent member of G20.
• Aim: To reflect firmly Africa’s Agenda 2063 for development.

India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)

• Forth IAFS should be held in 2024.
• Third summit was held in 2015.
• It is necessary to hold IAFS constantly to ensure good relations with African countries.

International Solar Alliance

• It can be utilized to fund green projects to develop clean energy infrastructure in Africa.
• Idea is to find innovative ways to sustainably harness its existing resources to meet its growing demand for energy.
• Africa only accounts for 3.8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, in contrast to China’s 23 percent, the United States’ 19 percent, and the European Union’s 13 percent.

Digital penetration

• India has expertise in digitization of country through various initiatives.
• Example: Digital India, Bharat Net, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, India Stack etc.
• It can be useful with a targeted approach towards skills development, if these Indian initiatives are implemented properly in African countries.
• It will benefit their economies greatly and could also help young Africans become more employable.

African healthcare needs

• In the areas where India has experience and remedies, it could adapt them to African Healthcare needs.
• It is an opportunity for Indian private investors to invest in development of secondary and tertiary hospitals and labs.
• For this purpose, India-Africa Health Fund worth US$10 million in IAFS in 2015 needs to be utilized properly.

India-US cooperation in Africa

• To fund sustainable projects in Africa and countering China’s growing presence in Africa, both nations should cooperate in Africa.

India and African countries share the same historic colonial rule and path to 21^st century. So, it is an opportunity for India in 2023 to enhance its ties with African countries through various multination institution.