Why is Africa important to India? Highlight the different approaches leveraged by India to gain its confidence.
Why is Africa important to India? Highlight the different approaches leveraged by India to gain its confidence.
- Both India and the African countries interacted positively since ancient times. However their relationship in modern times has gained huge momentum to the benefit of both.
Importance of Africa to India:
- India could strengthen its energy security from the huge oil as well as mineral resources of Africa.
- India imports crops like pulses, cocoa etc are imported from African countries which ensures India’s food security.
- Africa is very important for India from a strategic point of view to counter the Chinese String of Pearls strategy. Ex: -India’s coastal radar system deployed in Seychelles could be an answer to China’s Djibouti army base is a case in point
- African cooperation is inevitable for the success of India’s SAGAR initiative (maritime and economy security)
- African countries has the growing potential to import India’s goods and services
- India’s general bargaining power in the international arena for multiple issues are strong due to the solid backing of many African countries (WTO issues, climate changes for example)
- Africa is very much important for India in the context of growing South-South Cooperation.
Different Approaches of India:
- Summits and conferences:
- India- Africa Forum Summits, NAM summits and the like for deeper cooperation
- Grants and Aids:
- Through India’s programmes like Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme (SCAAP)
- Infrastructure Projects:
- Pan African e-network bringing tele-education and tele-medicine, Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)
- Ensuring Security:
- India actively engages in the UN peacekeeping missions in African nations
- India also ensures Africa’s security through multidimensional ways like military exercises, naval summits like (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium)
5.
Human Development:
- Many educational and skill development programmes for africans are being conducted by India ex: Solar mamas initiative
- Climate Change:
- India stands squarely behind the African countries to strengthen their resilience to climate change anomalies (ex:- UNFCCC meetings and Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) principles)
Conclusion:
- Hence it is apparent that India and the African countries share cordial relationships in multiple dimensions. It is certain that they will further strengthen the architecture of South-South Cooperation.
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