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Pivotal Year in India-Africa Relations (2024)
Context:
The year 2024 marked a historic year in the growing relationship between India and Africa, with significant diplomatic, economic, and security developments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria and other key events underscored the strategic importance of this partnership.
Prime Minister’s Historic Visit to Nigeria
- First Visit in 17 Years: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria in 2024 was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years.
- Historic Recognition: Modi was conferred with Nigeria’s second-highest national award, the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger’, becoming only the second foreign dignitary to receive this honour after Queen Victoria in 1969.
- Defence Diplomacy: This visit followed an Indian defence industry delegation’s trip to Lagos, where Nigeria expressed interest in purchasing arms from India, including Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, drones, and armoured personnel carriers.
Defence Cooperation between India and Africa
- $1 Billion Defence Deal with Nigeria: Nigeria and India signed a landmark defence deal, with Nigeria approving the finalisation of the $1 billion agreement during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi.
- Strategic Partnerships: India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is collaborating with Nigeria’s Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) on defence R&D, and India plans to assist Nigeria’s Defence Corporation (DICON) in becoming 40% self-sufficient in military hardware by 2027.
- Expanding Africa’s Defence Ties: India is rapidly emerging as a major defence supplier to African countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conference (IADMC)
- Increased Defence Engagement: Since 2020, India has been organising the India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conference (IADMC) on the sidelines of the DefExpo military exhibition, aiming to strengthen defence cooperation.
- $5 Billion Defence Export Goal: India’s Ministry of Defence is working towards achieving $5 billion in defence exports by 2025, with a significant portion directed towards Africa.
Diplomatic and Development Cooperation
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): In January 2024, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the NAM conference in Uganda, demonstrating India’s commitment to the movement and its emphasis on the Global South.
- Mauritius Cooperation: In February 2024, Modi and Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth inaugurated key infrastructure projects on Agaléga island, enhancing India’s influence in the Western Indian Ocean Region under its Security and Growth for All (Sagar) policy.
Challenges in Africa and Global Engagement
- Conflict in Sudan: Despite political and military disruptions in Sudan during 2024, where over 200,000 lives were lost, India-Africa relations continued to strengthen, with a focus on peacekeeping and stability.
- Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS): India hosted three editions of the VOGSS, where all African countries participated. However, the virtual nature of the summit, including all Global South countries, reduced Africa’s prominence.
Looking Ahead: Reviving the India-Africa Forum Summit
- Strategic Partnerships in 2025: As global challenges persist, 2025 will be a critical year for India-Africa ties, with India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) expected to return as a pivotal platform for addressing the issues of the Global South.
- Promoting South-South Cooperation: India’s engagement with Africa, focusing on security, development, and diplomacy, will continue to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Global South.
