New Delhi, May 11 -- The upcoming 4th India-Africa Forum Summit is seen as having strategic and bilateral importance amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia - resulting in a crisis and significant implications for the Global South. India's renewed outreach to Africa reflects a significant shift in New Delhi's foreign policy priorities - one that increasingly recognises the African continent not merely as a development partner.
Ahead of the important summit, government officials emphasise the current economic realities and at the centre of this engagement lies a clear economic objective - trade, investment, energy security and connectivity. Bilateral trade crossing USD 85 billion and investments nearing USD 80 billion indicate that the relationship has acquired substantial economic depth. More importantly, India appears keen to expand beyond traditional sectors and enter areas such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, healthcare, telecommunications and clean technology, officials said recently.
The last India-Africa Forum Summit took place in 2015 here, in the national capital. Since then, the world has witnessed many changes. The COVID-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have created much vulnerability in the current supply chain and energy security systems. In this scenario, organising a revived version of the Summit is not just about carrying out regular diplomatic activities. According to experts, the 4th IAFS is an essential step toward realising their common vision of leadership.
In addition, African countries are looking for new kinds of engagements that do not involve the same extractive model as before. The Indian government continually stated that the strategy followed by India was one of building capacities, developing skills, and empowering people, rather than extracting resources. Also, India's growing diplomatic footprint in Africa reflects this long-term strategic recalibration. The opening of 17 new diplomatic missions since 2018 signals an acknowledgement that sustained political engagement requires institutional presence on the ground. It also demonstrates that New Delhi understands the importance of engaging not only major African powers such as Nigeria and South Africa, but also smaller and emerging economies across the continent.
The recent crisis in West Asia also exposes India's long standing weakness. India is heavily dependent on West Asia, which is always a volatile region, for its essential energy supplies. Located between Oman and Iran - the Strait of Hormuz is a narrow yet vital checkpoint. Nearly half of India's crude oil imports and nearly 70 per cent of its LNG transit through this narrow passage, according to the centre. Any disruption here would quickly result in higher energy prices or inflationary pressures.
Not only energy, the region is also key for fertilisers, industrial inputs and remittances.
For this reason, there is India's effort to synchronise their developmental dreams in line with that of Africa's developmental dreams in the Agenda 2063 framework. The coincidence of the developmental dreams in terms of "Viksit Bharat 2047" and those of Africa enable India to project its collaboration with Africa as one involving transformational development, not one-sided charity.
Yet, the contemporary India-Africa connection goes well beyond economic matters - security collaboration has emerged as an integral component of the relationship as the situation deteriorates in certain regions of Africa as well as the Indian Ocean region. Maritime security, counter-terrorism, and defence training and peacekeeping all form an important part of the evolving relationship.
Officials mentioned that with over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers serving in various United Nations' missions around the African continent. On the other hand, the instability in countries such as Sudan, Libya, and the Red Sea as well as piracy in maritime areas are a reflection of the security challenges involved in deepening relations with Africa.
Yet another crucial dimension that arises out of these talks involves mobility and migration. With increasing numbers of Indian professionals, workers, and students settling in African countries, issues such as legal protection, anti-immigration feelings, and institutional mechanisms for migration are gaining importance. In this context, the recognition by the officials that discussions are on to enhance travel, connectivity, and mobility are most welcome.
It was pointed out that India's aspirations in Africa would finally be measured by results and not promises alone. Problems associated with delays in execution, procedures for the Lines of Credit, poor infrastructure, and inadequate private sector funding continue to pose serious problems.
However, indications by the Indian government that reform initiatives are already taking place within the context of the policy governing development projects and Lines of Credit have been very promising.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.