Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic marathon with forty African leaders in Delhi, is a manifestation of India’s power push to Africa which is important for India’s global ambitions and its aim to be a major global player.
Here is why these traffic snarls, all the pomp and fanfare at the tax payers expense on the mega event is worth it.
Safeguarding India
In order to make Indians secure and world a better place, it is important to reduce safe havens for terrorists and fugitives. High level engagement with leaders helps to ensure that these countries are not used to harbour terrorists and underworld groups. It is also important to safeguard the sea lanes of communication and India’s anti piracy push.
Trade ties
India is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, after China, the U.S. and the European Union. The two way trade has touched $70 billion and Africa offers a huge market for Indian companies.
Ensuring Energy Security
India currently has oil investments in Mozambique, South Sudan, Egypt and Libya, and is also the biggest importer of crude oil from Nigeria. It is important for India to acquire oil assets in these countries and a summit helps.
Strategic Friend
In an increasingly multi-polar world, Africa is an important partner for India on all global strategic issues. Africa is one of the fastest growing regions with huge natural resources. It offers not only resources to India’s increasing needs but also a huge market for Indian firms for trade and investment. The combined African continent with 54 votes in the international multilateral bodies and the UN is important for India’s entry to the UN Security Council and on creating an aligned world view on major issues.
Balancing China
China has made rapid inroads into Africa cutting deals and doling out aid and defence deals. China’s trade with Africa touched more than $200 billion in 2013 and is estimated to cross $385 billion by the end of 2015. Chinese investment in Africa has been massively driven by the need of the African states and China’s geo-economic strategy which has turned into a client state approach as opposed to India’s development and Africa first approach.
Rekindling Common links
India and Africa have shared concerns on creating an equitable global order, India and Africa came out from the yoke of a colonial rule and are now charting their developmental journey where India can be a reliable partner. With common positions on global issues summits like these help strengthen the partnership.