AFINDEX And Beyond: Countering China By Boosting India-Africa Defence Ties
Ongoing AFINDEX 2023 military exercise has attracted contingents from 9 countries — Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Niger, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia — and observers from 11 other African nations.
Army contingents of nine African nations along with military observers from 11 other states are currently in India exercising together with the Indian Army. Indian naval ship Sujata was at the Mozambique coast from March 21-23 for joint surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone, with Mozambique naval officers onboard. The first Africa Chiefs' Conclave to be held in Pune on March 28.
These are some of the recent high-profile flagship engagements of Indian armed forces with their African counterparts. Of late, India has been making serious efforts to re-engage with Africa, a continent of 54 resurgent nations coming out of the colonial rule, for a deeper economic and strategic partnership.
India and Africa share a close and historical relationship. The foundation of India-Africa defence relations are based on the two guiding principles namely ‘SAGAR’ or Security and Growth for All in the Region’ and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means "the world is a family".
In the very beginning of this century, India began its serious engagement with the most backward continent on Earth, which in India is considered a part of its extended neighbourhood. Amid fast changing geopolitics, there is a worldwide rush to woo the old and newly independent nations in Africa, often embroiled in internecine tribal conflict. From Focus Africa programme in the first and second decades, involving heads of states' summit every third year, the Indian leadership has now taken the specific route of directly engaging with the defence ministers, heads of service chiefs and along with common soldiers of African countries.
The Indian military is currently busy with the 10-day Africa-India field training exercise (March 21-30), and for the first conclave of service chiefs that will be held in Pune on March 28. The AFINDEX exercise has attracted contingents from nine countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Niger, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) with observers from 11 other African countries. These kind of engagements with African nations will be better able to project Indian defence policies and capabilities among them.
Undoubtedly, China has taken a lead in establishing its broader footprint in the region, but most countries are now realising the pitfalls of engaging with the Chinese government and enterprises. They are reeling under Chinese debt and their governments are getting a flak from the political class and intelligentsia, whereas India has gained credibility through a policy of capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ( ITEC) programme.
Viewed in terms of bilateral trade, China surpasses India almost three times (US$ 260 billion) and has become a major player in the African defence equipment market. However, India is also gradually making its mark in the region, with trade multiplying to almost US$90 billion from a meagre US$7.2 billion in 2001. However, considering the rising demand and Indian capability to supply, bilateral trade is not commensurate with the desired level.
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India-Africa Relations
India launched the Focus Africa programme in the first decade of the century, which developed a better understanding of India and Indians. In spite of India having a benign image as a nation of Gandhi and Nehru, besides Bollywood films, the country failed to take required advantage of the popularity among African masses. India strongly denounced all the colonial regimes in the continent and actively supported the freedom of those countries at international fora and organisations, but could not encash these overtures towards the continent.
The historical link between India and Africa witnessed a revival during the last three to four years, which has raised strong expectations of making deeper inroads, which will prove to be mutually beneficial and raise the possibilities of making India strongest partner both in trade and defence arenas. Africa is also significant for India because with 54 nations it forms a very significant voting bloc at the United Nations.
India always gets maximum support in the UN for various resolutions, with major bloc of African countries siding with India. The overwhelming participation of African defence officials during the last October DefExpo-22 held in Gandhinagar is a testimony to their desire to have deeper engagement with Indian armed forces, which offer special training courses to militaries from African nations. During the DefExpo, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the India Africa Defence Dialogue and had exclusive bilateral meetings with the African defence minsters in attendance. The theme of this second dialogue was “Adopting strategies for Synergizing and strengthening Defence and security cooperation".
After the dialogue, an outcome document was released that recommended to enhance cooperation in the field of training in all areas of mutual interest by increasing training slots and deputation of training teams; empowerment and capability building of the defence forces of Africa; and participation in joint exercises and providing humanitarian assistance during natural disasters. An India-Africa security fellowship programme was also launched for experts of African nations.
In consultation with the African defence ministers in Gandhinagar, India proposed to institutionalise the India Africa-Defence Dialogue during successive DefExpos to be held once every two years. Institutionalisation of the India Africa Defence Dialogue will help building on the existing partnerships between African countries and India and to explore new areas of convergence for mutual engagements, including areas like capacity building, training, cyber security, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
The first-ever India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave (IADMC) was held in Lucknow, during the DefExpo on February 6, 2020. This was the first in the series of pan-Africa events at the ministerial level in the run-up to the India-Africa Forum Summit IV. A joint declaration, ‘Lucknow Declaration’, was adopted after the conclusion of IADMC 2020 as an outcome document of the conclave.
India-Africa Partnership: Four Areas In Focus
Defence cooperation is only one aspect of India-Africa relations. In fact, India plans to strengthen its partnership with Africa in four areas to fulfil aspirations of both the countries. First area is solar power, this will help bring clean energy, energy security and will create jobs in Africa. Second is defence trade and military exchanges in the Indian Ocean, manufacturing of armoured vehicles and UAVs. Third is physical and digital infrastructure, helping in IT/consultancy and project exports, and the fourth one is healthcare and pharma.
Bilateral trade is witnessing faster growth, as it has reached the level of almost US$90 billion. Merchandise trade grew by 34%, from US$ 67 billion in 2019-20 to US$89 billion in 20-21. Africa has now become India’s fourth largest trading partner.
Thus, from defence to trade to cooperation in international forums, India-Africa engagement has witnessed an upward trajectory. In fact, realising India’s popularity and credibility in the region, developed countries like the US and Japan are forming trilateral partnership with India for launching various development projects in the continent. With India’s manpower, the financial resources of these countries can be better utilised to counter the Chinese aggressive trade and security policies in the region.
The author is a senior journalist and strategic affairs analyst.
[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal.]
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