Interaction with young parliamentarians from Africa

Participants: 25-member delegation, Dr Arvind Gupta, Ms. Ruchita Beri, Dr. R.N. Das, Dr. Ashok Behuria, Dr. Uttam Kumar Sinha, West Asia and Africa cluster members

Chair: Dr. Arvind Gupta

This visit was organized in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to interact with 25 young parliamentarians from various African countries, specifically focusing on IDSA’s work on Africa and the Government of India’s position on issues relating to the African continent.

Dr. Arvind Gupta provided an overview of IDSA’s work and opened the session to questions and discussion. During the discussion several questions were raised by the visitors. They were interested in finding out Indian views on security situation in Africa and the US AFRICOM, scope of India's security cooperation with the African countries and extent of government oversight in India.

In response to a query on the extent of government oversight in India, he highlighted the different types of parliamentary and other oversight on government actions:

• Each government department’s budget has to be approved by parliament
• Parliamentary questions
• System of Standing Committees that are attached to each of the Ministries
• Extremely vigilant media that brings to light issues and holds government accountable
• An ongoing debate is on direct parliamentary oversight of intelligence agencies.

Dr. R. N. Das touched upon procedures relating to the Indian parliament’s question hour, zero hour, standing committees, and the National Security Council, all of which result in a strong and vigilant Indian parliament.

Ms. Ruchita Beri emphasized India’s standing policy on Africa, which focuses on partnership on security and other issues. India has close ties with most countries that were represented in this delegation, mainly in the form of training and empowering African countries to deal with emerging security issues. In addition, India has for long supported Africa through UN peacekeeping missions in the continent and moral/non- lethal military support. Cooperation on issues such as terrorism and piracy has further tightened India-Africa relations. Ms. Beri pointed out that India views Africa as a neighbour (as was observed by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru), and thus, all security concerns relating to the African continent would concern India as well. She also addressed a question on India’s view on AFRICOM – it is for African countries to decide on their stance on AFRICOM’s mandate and how it should be perceived.

The Chair addressed queries on the need for IDSA to focus on ways by which India can assist Africa in building capacity to deal with various issues; this would form a platform for African countries to build a bilateral partnership with India. He welcomed suggestions on expanding IDSA’s work on non-traditional security issues to include Africa; future cooperation on this can be carried out by IDSA possibly in conjunction with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India. Suggestions were also asked for on African institutions that IDSA can form affiliations with in the future.

The remaining discussion touched on the following issues:

• A representative from Mali enquired on India’s position on the possibility of providing security assistance to his government in securing control over a troubled region.
• India’s security relationship with the United States and the establishment of AFRICOM (or the United States Africa Command) that is responsible for U.S military operations and military relations with 53 African countries. How does India see the future of Africa with respect to its security relationship with major international players like the United States?
• India’s role in tackling piracy issues in the Indian Ocean; gratitude was expressed to the Indian Navy’s role in the Indian Ocean, particularly in rescuing African fishermen

The interaction concluded with pointers taken from the delegation on relevant areas that IDSA can expand its work on, and possible academic coordination with African think tanks and institutions. Emphasis was placed on possible future discussions that can contribute to developing a mutually benefitting partnership between India and Africa.

Report prepared by Princy Marin George, Research Assistant, IDSA