You are here
IDSA hosted the second India-Africa Strategic Dialogue on November 18-19, 2013. While welcoming the distinguished speakers and participants from African counties, Dr. Arvind Gupta, DG, IDSA, stated that globalisation has really turned this world into a global village. A few decades ago, no one could have imagined India, Brazil and South Africa to come together and form IBSA, but it still happened. Then BRICS consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa came into existence. BRICS even came to be recognised as a pole in the current multipolar world.
Dr. Gupta emphasised that in the rapidly changing geo-political and strategic environment, there is every need for India and African countries to discuss issues of mutual concern. Moreover, over the years, as Africa’s importance in restructuring the global order has grown, Indian policy makers have come to assign great importance to Africa while dealing with foreign policy making. Under such circumstance, the India-Africa Strategic Dialogue is extremely important and timely.
In recent years, a cooperative structure between India and Africa has been gradually evolving. The two sides have been keen on strengthening global governance, especially with regards to the UN reforms. Over the years, India’s involvement in the UN Peace keeping missions in various African countries has been highly appreciated. At present, both the countries need to develop roust dialogue in order to deal with certain issues of mutual concern, such as, terrorism, maritime security threats, piracy, etc. IBSA, India-Africa dialogue could provide the ideal platform to discuss such issues.
Dr. Gupta concluded by saying that despite the popular belief that India has deepened its ties with African counties just to exploit the latter’s untapped resources, it is not exactly true. India in fact is not competing with any other country in Africa for resources. Instead it is trying to facilitate the African counties in knowledge and capacity building, infrastructure development, etc. Nevertheless, India needs to provide further assistance in exploiting Africa’s untapped potentialities.
The inaugural address was made by Shri Dinkar Khullar, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. According to him, in the light of India’s deepening relations with African countries, the strategic dialogue is extremely relevant and timely. Africa, just like India, is known for its ethnic, trial and cultural diversities. After suffering decades of negligence, Africa is emerging strongly to tap its economic opportunities.
While briefly talking about India-Africa relations, Khullar mentioned about their role in the struggle against apartheid. Africa played a significant role in India’s independence struggle as well, particularly due to M K Gandhi connection with South Africa. As a large portion of the people in India and African continent continue to live below poverty line, both need to join hands in alleviating poverty.
Over the years, African Union (AU) as well as a number of African countries have come to play a strong international role, especially with regards to UN reform. India particularly shares with Africa a common vision on global governance. While discussing the common security challenges faced by both, Khullar particularly mentioned the rise of extremism/terrorism. It is a disturbing phenomenon in recent times. According to him, religious extremism in Somalia emerged around the same time when India had to deal with similar kind of challenge at home. Thus, both sides could cooperate in fighting terrorism. Moreover, common challenges with regard to maritime security, piracy, etc. could also be dealt with jointly.
Khullar emphasised that India’s peacekeeping missions in Africa has been highly appreciated. Such missions have helped tremendously in ensuing peace and stability in several African countries. He further stated that despite being a resource rich continent, most of the African states have not been able to take advantage of those resources due to poor state of infrastructure. This is an area where India could invest in Africa and could benefit. The two sides could cooperate in providing useful employment for the youths of both sides and ensuring food security as well.
Report prepared by Pranamita Baruah, Researcher, IDSA.