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What's the article about?
- It talks about the lessons that India should draw from the US and Chinese approaches to Africa and then use them to further cement India-Africa relations.
Relevance:
- GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora; Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests;
- India-Africa relations.
Context:
- In the capacity as G20 president, India promotes the interests of the global south.
- Africa is regarded as the global south's heart.
- As a result, in order to fully represent the global south, India must understand the mood and changes in Africa, particularly in their foreign relations with the United States and China.
U.S.-Africa Relations:
- The U.S.’s attempts to raise its profile in Africa are episodic and faulting, as compared to China
Recently, the second U.S.-Africa summit was held in Washington. - Several key decisions were made at this summit to influence Africa and persuade it to choose the United States over China.
- First, the U.S. announced its support for the AU to join the G20 as a permanent member.
- This promise is feasible and can be fulfilled with India’s support.
- Second, the U.S. said it “fully supports” reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC) to include permanent representation for Africa.
- This seems like a vague promise on the part of the US.
- Third, a promise for the president and the vice president to visit Africa next year was made. This will be a refreshing change as no U.S. president has been seen in Africa since 2015.
China-Africa Relations:
- China has emerged as the largest trading partner and the fourth largest investor in the African continent, ahead of the U.S., through its steady diplomacy and extensive economic engagement.
- China established the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000 to continuously engage with Africa.
- The FOCAC is composed of ministers and leaders of Africa and China who meet once in three years, alternately in Beijing and an African capital.
- The Chinese president participates in deliberations in person or digitally. China has a full-fledged inter-ministerial mechanism to ensure the timely implementation of FOCAC decisions.
- For years, the Chinese foreign minister began his annual series of foreign visits by travelling to Africa.
- Whatever flaws there may be in China’s economic diplomacy in Africa — and there are many, its consistent attention to Africa contains a useful lesson.
But what does Africa want?
- Most of the 54 countries of this continent are developing or least developed countries.
- Summits with Africa are often judged by the quantum of funds external partners are willing to offer for economic development.
- Moreover the African leaders don't want to choose one country over another.
- They want the U.S., China, and all other partners to work with them because Africa’s needs are huge.
India-Africa Relations:
- India’s equity in Africa is older and richer than that of China and the U.S., but that should not be a source of complacency.
- India has striven hard, in the past two decades, to strengthen its political and economic partnership with Africa at the continental, regional and bilateral levels.
- The present government created a special momentum in arranging high-level exchanges and forging cooperation initiatives during the 2015-19 period.
Way Forward:
- It is quite obvious that the Chinese approach is effective and useful.
- India must keep the above lessons in mind while dealing with Africa.
- The G20 presidency is India’s opportunity to ensure that the AU becomes a permanent member of this grouping and to firmly reflect Africa’s Agenda 2063 for development.
