An Overview of India-Africa Relations

India has always been supportive of Africa's aspiration for self-reliance. It has transferred technology in various sectors, such as petroleum, mining, export, agriculture, and industry. India also has strategic interests in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa region, an essential shipping route that connects the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal.

India-Africa Forum Summit 2020

The India-Africa Forum Summit, held every three years, took place virtually from November 4 to 6, 2020. The first summit was held in 2008 in New Delhi. The primary focus of the recent India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was on enhancing ties and achieving the 100*100 matrix by 2025 , which signifies the target of achieving 100 billion USD of trade and 100 USD of investment between India and Africa.

India and the Liberation Struggle in Africa

India has consistently supported the Liberation Movements in various African countries, raising their cause in the United Nations, Commonwealth Conferences, and other international forums.

Economic Assistance to Africa

India has not only supported African countries in their struggle for freedom but also provided economic assistance during the struggle and after independence, primarily to ensure stability and economic prosperity in the African continent, and to strengthen their hard-won independence.

Transfer of Technology

India has fully sympathized with the aspirations of the Africans to attain self-reliance. Trade is one of the mechanisms for the transfer of technology embodied in goods and services. India has also contributed to the economic development of Africa through the transfer of technology. India’s trade with the African countries has not been large and continued to be stagnant during the period 1960-70.

Drought Assistance

India has provided funds and foodstuffs during times of drought . It has also made available expertise and technical assistance in the development of agriculture along modern lines and the development of irrigation facilities to tackle these problems on a long-term basis. India has also extended assistance to various African countries in the development of non-conventional energy sources, rural electrification, solar energy, and wind power.

Credit Facilities

Despite her tight financial position, India has made available to several African countries enormous amounts as a credit on most reasonable terms. It offered credit between 5 to 10 crores to countries like Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Sudan etc. for purchase of India manufactured goods such as textiles and engineering goods, tractors, motorcycles, buses, trucks, bicycles etc.

Decolonisation and Asia-African Resurgence

The resurgence of Afro-Asian countries has left a deep impact on the geopolitical landscape of the 21st-century world.

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