Indo-Pacific region is a multi-polar region, contributing more than half of the world’s GDP and population. Countries falling in the direct hinterland of the vast Indian and Pacific oceanic expanse are termed ‘Indo-Pacific countries’.  The attributes of the Indo-Pacific are also highly appealing. The region comprises at least 38 countries that share 44 percent of world surface area and 65 per cent of world population, and account for 62 per cent of world–GDP and 46 per cent of the world’s merchandise trade.

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Importance of Africa for India’s strategy for Indo-Pacific:

• Africa has turned from “The Hopeless Continent” to “A Hopeful Continent” given its demography, resources, market etc.
• India and Africa share historical ties, the 1955 Bandung Conference was not just about Asia or non-alignment but promoting Afro-Asian solidarity.
• Africa assumes strategic importance for India in relation to:
  • Geopolitical interest: South-South cooperation, UNSC reforms, Competition with China, Cooperation in global issues such as climate change and WTO reforms.
  • Geo-economic interest: Energy security – Oil (Nigeria), the supply of Uranium (South Africa), huge mineral resources of Africa, growing population of Africa provides for new opportunities for goods and services exports from India.
  • Geostrategic interest: Maritime security – East coast countries are important for peace and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region, trade relations across and beyond Africa and interests of Indian diaspora in Africa.
• Since the rise of Asia and Africa, these continents are reconstituting the geographies of the eastern hemisphere and breaking down the artificial mental maps that emerged in the 20th century.
• Thus, India must recognise the growing importance of Africa for the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

However, there are several issues that impede India’s engagement with Africa

• Africa is witnessing a phenomenon called the “New Scramble for Africa”.
• If Europe and North America dominated Africa’s economic relationship in the past, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the ASEAN share the geopolitical space today with the US and EU. China, Japan, Korea and India are also major investors in Africa as well as providers of development assistance
• China’s Belt and Road Initiative is about connecting China’s eastern seaboard with the Indian Ocean littoral.
• China is involved in the development of 47 ports in sub-Saharan Africa.
• China’s expanding defence and security engagement in Africa. Over the last few years, China has emerged as the largest major arms supplier to Sub-Saharan Africa.
• The US, which was focused on terrorism and other non-military threats after 9/11, is paying attention to Africa’s new geopolitics.
• Russia, which seemed to turn its back on Africa after the collapse of the Soviet Union, is now returning with some vigour.
• Many regional actors like Iran, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are taking a growing interest in African security affairs.
• India lacks diplomatic presence in Africa as India has an embassy only in 29 out of 54 African countries.
• A lot of African countries are suffering from political instability.
• Thus pan African strategy is not working as Africa is not homogenous
• The general perception is that “India promises and China delivers”. India’s implementation and delivery have been flawed.

Way Forward:

• India should focus on its comparative advantages like services sector, pharma and private sector relationship.
• India has leverage over China as the latter’s investments are perceived as neo-colonial whereas India is engaged in partnership based on mutual benefit and capacity building
• Africa is too big for both India and China, so they both must cooperate and wherever there is competition it must be constructive.
• India elevated the engagement with Africa by hosting a summit in Delhi for all the African leaders, unveiling sustained high-level political contact, expanding India’s diplomatic footprint, strengthening economic engagement and boosting military diplomacy.
• But the scale and speed of Africa’s current transformation need to be a priority on India’s strategic map.

Conclusion:

Indian foreign policy has always envisaged a rules-based order anchored upon international law, openness, transparency, inclusivity and commitment to advancing economic engagement in the region. In this regard India can focus on four areas of cooperation with Africa i.e. maritime cooperation; connectivity; UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030; and economic development.