India and Africa in the Post-Cold War Period: An Overview

Abstract

This article presents an overview of Indo-African ties in the post-Cold War period in the context of the accelerated pace of globalization and economic reforms. It begins by taking cognizance of a few significant social realities in Africa such as the advent of democratic regimes in different African countries, the burgeoning of regional organizations as also the emergence of the African Union, the growing presence of India and China in Africa, etc. Subsequently, it analyzes the complexities of Indo-African ties in the realm of security, trade, business, investment and overall development cooperation and suggests the pathways that could refashion such ties under globalization.

Why NTM is a Challenge in Trade Relations? Evidence from India–Africa Agricultural Trade

“…Then, Harshe (2012) also highlighted that the high tariff barriers between India and South Africa have reduced trade and stressed to increase the strategic partnership through taking the lessons from each other’s strengths. Harshe (2010) argued that India’s consistent trade relations with South Africa will help India to access other Southern and West African countries. Oliver (2013) explained how South Africa was included in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and emphasised that India has rapidly increased her presence in Africa.…”

The Political Economy of Chinese and Indian Trade, Aid and Investments in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis

“…The fact that African citizens of Indian ancestry have successfully settled in different parts of Africa, in spite of persecutions they once faced in the hands of tyrants such as the former Ugandan despot President Idi Amin, attests partly to the strong historical links between India and Africa. Indeed, the inspirations drawn from Indian independence from the British in 1947 (Taylor, 2012: 781) and the subsequent leadership role assumed by India in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) after World War II (Harshe, 2010: 348) encouraged decolonisation struggles in many African countries. The rhetorical arguments of being a former European colony and one of the first to gain independence from colonial rule have been used to the advantage of India in its engagements in Africa in recent years.…”

“…In general terms, there has been a gradual and steady upsurge in trade between India and Africa since the early 1990s. In 1991 for instance, the value of trade was around $967 million, it increased to $25 billion in 2007–2008 and was raised to around $40 billion in 2008–2009, it was between $45 and $53 billion in 2010–2011, and is projected to reach $75 billion by 2015 (Harshe 2010: 355; Taylor, 2012: 789). The patterns of trade involve Africa’s export of primary commodities such as oil, minerals such as gold, iron ore and metal, as well as agricultural products.…”

“…The 2011 India–Africa summit that brought Indian and African leaders together to improve their relations ended with India promising to provide over $700 million in aid for Africa (Taylor, 2012: 786). Indian aid has contributed to building the capacity of Africans in the areas of information technology and education (Harshe, 2010: 357). These areas also occupy a special place in the investments of India in Africa.…”

“…Similarly, but to a far lesser degree, India’s attempt to extend lines of credit to its companies through its own Exim Bank has not influenced Nigeria–India trade significantly. Not even the India Focus Africa programme, launched in 2002 to encourage trade relations amongst others things (Harshe, 2010: 355), has been quite successful compared to any of the Chinese institutions. Nonetheless, considering India is now Nigeria’s number one trading partner due mainly to increases in Indian oil imports from Nigeria, it can safely be suggested that India–Nigeria trade will be enhanced if lines of credit are extended to companies, traders and manufactures involved in facilitating trade between the two countries.…”