Context: India has once again extended its support for an African seat at a reformed United Nations Security Council, highlighting it 'understands and empathise with the aspirations' of the continent. Speaking at the discussion on 'Peace and Security in Africa' at the key United Nations body, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, "It is a matter of continuing regret for us that the voice of Africa is not given its proper due in most pivotal (UN) Institution."

• He extended his support for the common African Position as mentioned in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, both call for at least 2 permanent and 5 to 2 non-permanent UNSC seats to be given to African countries at the high table.
• Pointing out how New Delhi reached out to Africa which 'too is being tested by the COVID-19 pandemic', he said India has supplied 'medicines, vaccines and health-related equipment to 42 African countries'. He explained that India will 'support peace and security, help address root causes of conflict and be a reliable partner in fighting the pandemic'.
• In this edition of Big Picture We analyse India Africa ties. 

Key Points

• India will respond to the priorities of Africa as defined by Africa. He spoke about 189 Indian projects in 41 African countries, 43 thousand education and training slots in last five years and 17 digital programmes.
• India has supported African security through five peacekeeping operations and many defence training initiatives.

India’s Developmental Efforts in Africa

• Support in Fight Against Covid-19: Under the e-ITEC initiative, India has shared Covid-19 management strategies, training webinars exclusively aimed at training health-care professionals from Africa by Indian health experts.
• India is also sending consignments of essential medicines, including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and paracetamol, to many African countries in addition to doctors and paramedics.

Increasing Political and Economic Engagement: In the last few years, Africa has been the focus of India’s development assistance and also diplomatic outreach, as evident in plans to open 18 new embassies.

• Also, India-Africa trade reached $62 billion in 2018 compared to $39 billion during 2009-10.
• India’s duty-free tariff preferential scheme for Least Developed Nation (LDCs) launched in 2008 has benefited 33 African states.
• Grants in Aid: After South Asia, Africa is the second-largest recipient of Indian overseas assistance with Lines of Credit (LOC) worth nearly $10 billion (nearly 40% of the total LOC globally) spread over 100 projects in 41 countries.

Capacity Building via E-governance Initiative: India is investing in the capacity building providing more than $1 billion in technical assistance and training to personnel under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.

• 40% of all training and capacity building slots under the ITEC programme has traditionally been reserved for Africa.
• India has also invested $100 million in the Pan-African E-Network to bridge the digital divide in Africa, leveraging its strengths in information technology.

Security Cooperation: Approximately 6,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in UN peace-keeping missions in conflict zones in Africa.

• Cooperation on Multiple Fronts: Bilateral cooperation includes solar energy (Cooperation in International Solar Alliance) development, information technology, cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster relief, counter-terrorism and military training.

Opportunities In India-Africa Relations

Addressing Food security: Agriculture and food security can also be a fulcrum for deepening ties.

• Africa has a major chunk of the world’s arable land but produces a very small percentage of the global agri-output.
• India has proven expertise in the agriculture sector, being the top producer of much agricultural produce.
• Thereby, India and Africa both can cooperate in ensuring food and nutritional security for each other.

Becoming Voice of Developing World: Just as India and Africa fought colonialism together, both can now collaborate together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice for around one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India.

Combating Neo-Colonialism: China has been actively pursuing Chequebook and donation diplomacy in Africa.

• However, Chinese investment is seen as neo-colonial in nature as it focuses on money, political influence, hard-infrastructure projects and resource extraction.
• India’s approach, on the other hand, is one that focuses on building local capacities and an equal partnership with Africans and not merely with African elites concerned.
• In this context, though Africa has been actively engaged with China, it wants India to act as a balancer and net security provider.

Enabling Strategic Convergence: Under the recent Quad Plus initiative whereby the countries (US, India, Japan and Australia have recently engaged other countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, Israel and Brazil) exchanged views and proposed cooperation with select African countries about the Indian Ocean.

• Both India and Japan share a common interest in forging a partnership for Africa’s development through the Asia-Africa Growth corridor.
• In this context, India can leverage its global status to establish Africa on the strategic map of global politics.

Preventing Global Rivalries: In recent years, several global economic players have strengthened their engagement with African states, with an eye to rising economic opportunities, including in energy, mining, infrastructure and connectivity.

• As global engagement in Africa increases, India and Africa can ensure that Africa does not once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions.

Conclusion

• Africa over the years has been neglected but off late we have been actively engaging with the continent and making in roads. After the colonial period the world lost interest in Africa but ever since China has been playing a big part there the focus has once again fallen on the continent.
• The world is only interested in Africa's resources and not really concerned about Africa's interest and India has flagged the fact that the continent has got the raw deal and is trying to change that aspect. The Chinese model is risky but what works for Beijing is the pace at which the products or rather projects are completed, this is something that the entire world and especially India need to learn about. Also corruption is another reason why China has an upper hand in Africa.
• In the meantime India hss to continue to use its goodwill and work with the nations bilaterally and with the grouping at the multilateral level as well and that's way to engage with Africa. We also have to work with like minded countries like Japan and may be for that extent even the UK and offer the Africans what they want rather than we give them what they don't want.
• India has an intrinsic interest in helping Africa achieve progress. The spirit of “developing together as equals” defines this bilateral partnership. A resurging Africa and a rising India can give a strong impetus to South-South Cooperation, especially when it comes to addressing challenges in areas like clean technology, climate-resilient agriculture, maritime security, connectivity, and Blue economy.