2.Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s engagement with African countries? Discuss the implications, in the context of growing Chinese influence in financing and building infrastructure in Africa?
India’s engagement with Africa has evolved as a cornerstone of its foreign policy, driven by shared historical ties, economic aspirations, and mutual strategic interests. Concurrently, China’s significant investments and infrastructure projects in Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have raised concerns about the implications for India’s role and influence on the continent.
Economic Dimensions
Trade Relations:
●India is Africa’s third-largest trading partner. Trade between India and Africa reached $98 billion in FY 2022-23, driven by oil imports, raw materials, and pharmaceutical exports.
●India’s duty-free tariff preference scheme for African countries boosts their exports.
Investment Initiatives:
●Indian companies have invested over $74 billion in Africa, primarily in energy, mining, and telecommunication sectors.
●Public sector enterprises like ONGC Videsh Ltd. play a critical role in Africa’s energy sector.
Development Partnership:
●India has extended concessional credit and Lines of Credit (LoCs) worth over $12 billion to fund infrastructure, energy, and capacity-building projects in Africa.
Capacity Building and Technology Transfer:
●India provides technical expertise and human resource training under initiatives like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and e-Vidya Bharati & e-Arogya Bharati Network Project.
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Exports:
●India is a major supplier of affordable generic medicines, essential for combating diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria in Africa.
Strategic Dimensions
Maritime Security:
●India focuses on maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), vital for trade and combating piracy.
●Partnerships like the India-Seychelles and India-Mauritius security agreements enhance regional stability.
Energy Security:
●Africa supplies a significant portion of India’s crude oil imports, particularly from Nigeria and Angola.
●India is diversifying its energy sources to reduce dependence on the Middle East.
Multilateral Cooperation:
●India collaborates with Africa in forums such as the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), BRICS, and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
●Support for African representation in the UN Security Council aligns with India’s vision of a reformed global governance system.
Soft Power Diplomacy:
●Leveraging shared colonial experiences and cultural ties, India fosters goodwill through scholarships, diaspora relations, and cultural exchanges.
Implications of Growing Chinese Influence in Africa
Economic Competition:
●China’s trade with Africa is four times larger than India’s, reaching $282 billion in 2022.
●Chinese companies dominate sectors like infrastructure, with large-scale projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while India’s engagements are comparatively modest.
Debt Diplomacy Concerns:
●Chinese loans for infrastructure projects have led to rising debt levels in many African countries, sparking fears of economic dependency.
●India promotes a sustainable and transparent approach to financing, contrasting with China’s alleged “debt-trap diplomacy.”
Strategic Rivalry in Infrastructure Development:
●India lags in large-scale infrastructure projects compared to China’s high-speed railways, ports, and power plants.
●Collaborative ventures, such as the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) with Japan, are attempts to counterbalance Chinese influence.
Geopolitical Implications in the Indian Ocean Region:
●China’s military base in Djibouti and its growing naval presence in the IOR challenge India’s strategic interests.
●India strengthens its ties with African littoral states to ensure maritime security and safeguard sea lines of communication (SLOCs).
Diplomatic Outreach:
●India has intensified high-level engagements, with frequent visits by Indian leaders to Africa, in contrast to China’s sustained diplomatic efforts.
Challenges for India
Resource Constraints:
●India’s financial capacity is limited compared to China’s massive investment capabilities.
Inadequate Coordination:
●Bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays in project implementation reduce India’s effectiveness.
Limited Presence in Key Sectors:
●India’s footprint is minimal in Africa’s transportation and large-scale manufacturing sectors, dominated by China.
Way Forward
Enhancing Economic Cooperation:
●Expand trade ties by leveraging African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities. Promote investments in agriculture, digital technology, and renewable energy.
Strengthening Strategic Alliances:
●Deepen maritime security partnerships and counter China’s growing naval influence in the Indian Ocean.
People-Centric Development:
●Focus on capacity building, education, and healthcare to distinguish India’s approach from China’s infrastructure-heavy model.
Collaborative Ventures:
●Leverage multilateral frameworks like the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) to create alternative development pathways for Africa.
Leveraging Diaspora Connections:
Strengthen bonds with the Indian diaspora in Africa to enhance cultural diplomacy and economic ties.
Conclusion
India’s engagement with Africa holds immense potential for mutual economic and strategic benefits. However, the growing Chinese influence necessitates a recalibrated approach that emphasizes sustainability, inclusivity, and capacity-building. By leveraging its soft power, democratic ethos, and developmental partnerships, India can solidify its presence as a trusted and reliable partner in Africa, contributing to shared growth and stability.
Source
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-strategic-focus-on-west-africa/article68946565.ece