The Elephant in the Corner? Reviewing India‐Africa Relations in the New Millennium

Abstract

As countries of the ‘global South’ seek to challenge existing uneven architectures of economic, political and institutional power, now under different circumstances to those prevailing during the Cold War, relations between African countries and various ‘Rising Powers’ have drawn a great deal of academic and public attention. This scrutiny has been heavily tilted towards analysis of China’s African activities. This paper aims to partially redress this balance with an introductory review of India’s contemporary relations with sub‐Saharan Africa. A number of analysts suggest that in the longer term, India may well achieve a more prosperous and stable economy than China, while in the shorter term, its economic and political profile may result in a more productive relationship for many different African countries, sectors and constituencies. But India will also bring its own challenges in its African commercial interactions, bilateral relations and through its part in shaping the multilateral polity and global economy. This paper therefore aims to critically review contemporary India‐Africa relations on four broad thematic points. Changing geographies of Indo‐African relations; Trade and foreign direct investment; Development cooperation; and Geopolitics and diplomacy. India’s confidence as a global political and economic actor is apparent in its African diplomacy and economic engagements, but claims to exceptionalism (relative both to Chinese and Western actors) in such relations are not as self‐evident as some have asserted. Whether recent shifts in relations between African nations and India will work in the interests of less privileged citizens, workers and consumers in Africa and in India also remain unclear.

The Politics of Policy Circulation: Unpacking the Relationship Between South African and South American Cities in the Adoption of Bus Rapid Transit

“…This desire to copy directly from other urban experiences is reinforced today through a culture of South–South connections. This is indicative of emerging geopolitical alignments between southern cities and a growing role for regional powers in development assistance (Clarke ; Mawdsley and McCann ). For the purposes of this paper, what is significant about this new surge of interest in South–South connections is the extent to which it strengthens the bonds between southern cities, perhaps shattering former colonial ties, to generate southern solutions to global problems.…”

Inde-Afrique: un partenariat gagnant-gagnant?

“…De plus, alors qu'avant les années 2000, les relations indo-africaines concernaient essentiellement d'anciennes colonies britanniques, notamment d'Afrique australe et orientale, force est de constater que le spectre de ce partenariat s'est considérablement élargi, de nombreux pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale entretenant désormais de relations bilatérales et multilatérales avec l'Inde. Selon Mawdsley et McCann (2010), « la demande croissante de pétrole et d'autres ressources, ainsi que la recherche d'opportunités d'investissement [Traduction libre] » 2 (p. 84) expliqueraient en grande partie ce désir d'investir davantage dans ces pays d'Afrique dont une bonne quantité possède d'énormes potentialités en ressources naturelles et hydrocarbures. Signe de ce renforcement des relations entre l'Inde et les pays africains, ces deux entités ont institué, à l'instar du Forum sur la coopération sino-africaine (FOCAC), un Forum de coopération Inde-Afrique, soit un sommet sur la coopération indo-africaine qui a lieu depuis 2008 sur une base triennale, connu sous le nom de IAFS (India-Africa Forum Summit) (Aurégan, 2019, p. 2).…”

Analyzing Indian Policies and Firm Strategies in Africa

“…Indian government's agenda and the ambitions of the private sector began to take shape resulting in strategic interest in Africa (Mawdsley and McCann, 2010). According to Modi and Shekhawat (2009), there has been a noticeable change in Indian policy towards Africa since early 1990s.…”

“…Despite their size, the number of Indian firms trading in Africa and their geographic distribution is increasing. In reference to the diversity of Indian firms, Banergee (2009) (Mawdsley and McCann, 2010). One of the main reasons for the increased economic interrelationship could be attributed to the rapid growth of the private sector and the support from India and African governments.…”

“…Since its formation, India has spent more than US$1 billion for such assistance (Desai, 2009). According to Mawdsley and McCann (2010), this program encompasses short-term training in areas as diverse as small and medium-scale industries, food processing, rural credit programs, as well as IT and computer skills training. ITEC also has a sister program, Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Program (SCAAP) which targets African countries in the Commonwealth.…”