An Indo-African Military and Peacekeeping Partnership

This discussion is to identify military-related imperatives and opportunities for India’s economic and social engagement with Africa. Besides bringing out its strategic economic importance so vital to India’s growth and influence, it highlights two issues that work to India’s advantage— China’s exploitative model and an anti-colonial movement across Africa. The failure, in general, of UN-led peacekeeping in Africa is studied with some case-studies involving Indian assets. The importance of the military in international diplomacy is discussed as especially relevant to Africa. Some recommendations are made towards enabling an Indian whole-ofgovernment approach.