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India – Africa Relations
Context:
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) announced a strategic partnership with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces to establish local assembly of wheeled armoured platforms (WhaP 8×8) at its defence manufacturing facility in Casablanca, Morocco.This partnership highlights growing proximity in India- Africa relations.
India Africa Relations:
Geopolitical Importance
- Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening ties with African countries enhances India’s influence in global affairs, especially within the UN.
- Countering Rival Influence: Engaging with Africa helps India counter China’s growing presence.
Steps taken by India in this aspect
- Peacekeeping Missions: Contributed troops to UN missions in Congo and South Sudan.
- Support for AU: Inclusion of AU in G20 during 2023 summit held in INDIA
- Multilateral Engagement: Participated in the India-Africa Forum Summit and Non-Aligned Movement.
Geoeconomic Importance:
- Trade Opportunities: India-Africa trade reached approximately $100 billion in 2022, with a focus on pharmaceuticals and textiles.
- Investment Potential: Indian investments in Africa exceed $74 billion, targeting telecom, agriculture, and infrastructure.
- Resource Access: Africa’s natural resources are vital for India’s economic growth.
Steps taken by India in this aspect
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Geostrategic Importance:
- Maritime Security: Ensuring the safety of trade routes in the Indian Ocean is crucial.eg Asia- Africa Growth Corridor with collaboration of Japan.
- Strategic Alliances: Initiatives like the Indian Ocean Rim Association enhance cooperation.
- Cultural Diplomacy: Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance ,Global Biofuel Alliance and ITEC program to train thousands of African professionals strengthen partnerships.
India- Africa Defence Relations:
India’s defence exports to Africa have surged to around $1 billion in recent years, alongside investments exceeding $10 billion in various sectors, including defence and security.
Key Developments in India-Africa Defense Relations
Defence Cooperation Agreements
- India has signed multiple defence agreements with African nations, enhancing military training, technology transfer, and joint exercises.
- Notable partnerships include agreements with South Africa (1997), Kenya (2021), and Mozambique focusing on various military domains and maritime security.
Military Training and Capacity Building
- Training programs cover peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and naval operations, with over 200 personnel trained in peacekeeping from countries like Namibia and Senegal.
- Joint exercises, such as with South African forces in 2018, have focused on counter-terrorism.
Arms Sales and Joint Production
- India supplies a range of defence equipment, including Dornier surveillance aircraft to Seychelles.
- Recent collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Morocco for assembling armoured platforms highlights India’s commitment to local production and technology transfer.
Participation in Peacekeeping Operations
- India is a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, with deployments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
- India organises training for African peacekeepers to enhance their operational readiness.
Way Forward
- Strengthening India-Africa relations requires a multi-faceted approach.
- Political cooperation can be enhanced by restoring the India-Africa Forum summits and establishing a dedicated African affairs secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Economic collaboration should focus on launching an Africa Growth Fund and improving project exports and shipping cooperation.
- Additionally, implementing the ‘Roadmap 2030’ through coordinated efforts between the MEA and the National Security Council will ensure a strategic and comprehensive framework for future engagement.
