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SP E CIAL REPOR T

absolutely necessary... Broader global rebalancing million. China also has a reputation for the speedy
is incomplete without the genuine emergence of delivery of projects undertaken, something India
Africa.” This then is what both drives and informs lacks. With the private sector at the fore, private
India’s Africa outreach. companies have also come under scrutiny for tax
India has never in the past been as engaged in evasion and flouting local rules.

Africa as it is now. According to offi cial data, India India, however, has an edge in its approach
has completed 194 developmental projects in 37 and the emotional bonding it shares with Africa.
African countries at a cost of $11.6 billion and is This not only includes Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy,
currently working to complete 77 additional ones in but also the Indian diaspora in countries such
29 countries. These span multiple sectors, including as South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
infrastructure, ICT, power generation, agriculture, Besides, India’s developmental partnership is
irrigation, even oil and gas. India has also invested also far less exploitative than that of China’s, and
around $7 billion in Mozambique, South Sudan and simultaneously more responsive to African needs.
other regions of North and West Africa. For instance, while countries such as Nigeria
India-Africa ties have seen steady growth and Kenya have been quick to welcome Chinese
over the past few years, so much so that India has COVID-19 investments and infrastructure projects, many have
become Africa’s third-largest export destination. WILL RESHAPE come under scrutiny or renegotiation of terms. In
With an investment of $54 billion, India happens 2019, a court in Kenya halted construction on a
to be one of the biggest investors in the continent. AFRICA’S $2 billion power plant financed by China for lack

COVID-19 in particular seems to have propelled of transparency.
greater Indian outreach to the continent. India TIES WITH According to UN trade data for 2017, total
has been delivering aid and training to African imports of 39 African countries from China
countries in their fight against the virus. It has thus CHINA AND exceeded $71 billion, while those from India

far sent medical teams to, Mauritius, Comoros, amounted to $21 billion, again making Africa
as well as other countries such as Maldives. The THIS WOULD far more dependent on China. However, most
Indian Navy medical teams have been stationed PRESENT importantly, Africa’s debt to China has increased
in Mauritius and Comoros, where they’ve toured exponentially over the past decade, almost $30
local hospitals, trained personnel and assisted in INDIA WITH billion in 2016.
COVID-19 management techniques. With COVID-19 hitting Africa hard, the
The above also refl ect the fillip to defence YET ANOTHER International Monetary Fund estimates that sub-

ties between India and Africa. India has also Saharan African economies will shrink by nearly
been active in peacekeeping in Africa, setting up OPPORTUNITY 3.2 percent this year. While China has announced
defence academies, deployment of training teams. some debt relief, countries are now increasingly

On February 6, the first-ever India Africa Defence TO BUILD ON reviewing Chinese investments and loans. In
Ministers Conclave took place in Lucknow in THE EXISTING 2018, Ethiopia renegotiated its Chinese debt.
conjunction with India’s defence Expo. Over 154 Now pandemic-hit Kenya wants to renegotiate
delegates from Africa participated in the conclave, BASE OF ITS its Chinese loan borrowed to build a railway, and
which also included defence ministers from 14 in Nigeria and Zambia projects are being put on
African countries. PARTNERSHIP hold because of COVID-19. Countries are having
However, the arena remains crowded as other second thoughts about hitherto sought after Chinese
global powers are also reaching out extensively to WITH AFRICA. loans.
Africa, which has become a coveted destination COVID-19 will reshape Africa’s ties with China
for FDIs, loans and even defence bases, not just for and this would present India with yet another
traditional powers such as France and the United opportunity to build on the existing base of its
States, but also for others such as China and Turkey. partnership with Africa. Where it will be diffi cult
In fact, the greatest challenge to India in Africa for India to go alone, it will have to enter into
comes from China, with its far larger economy. partnerships, like activating the India-Japan-Africa
Africa is key to China’s Belt and Road Initiative corridor or partnering with other countries such as
with 20 African countries signing on to it. France or the US.
The Africa Attractiveness report found that from
2014 to 2018, China was the largest investor in *The author is Special Envoy and Group
Africa in terms of total capital, with around $72,235 Executive Chairman, GBSH Consult Group
million, whereas India accounted for only $5,403 Worldwide.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 8 • Issue 9 • November 2020, Noida • 51