Panel 4: India as Rising Power in Africa

The independent India piloted on secular, democratic principles, defending Indian Territory and protecting its security interests through nonalignment and promoting national economic development till 1990. The post 1990 global challenges focus on three F’s i.e. Food, Fuel and Finance. India firmly believes that developing countries are not accepting the Concept of Aid in terms of quantity and priority to quality on the one hand and inter-dependence of economic exchange becomes the part of economic development on the other hand. Indian foreign policy talks about self-reliant economic growth in developing countries will lead to self-reliant development. The development cooperation should not base on donor-recipient basis but stand on equal partnership. Geo-strategic position of India adopted Political, Economic, Social and Security concern as foreign policy goals.

There are issues concerns such as Duty Free Preference Scheme (DFPS) and lines of credit on bilateral and organizational level as part of foreign policy that includes 34 African countries. It promotes public-private partnerships in small, medium and micro enterprises. India committed towards technology transfer, financing and capacity building in Africa. India as an emergent power adopts technology transfer for the real development in Africa.

India involves private sector and shares equal partnership in trade and investments in Africa and searching innovative use of development partnerships, economic and technological capabilities, and development of infrastructure projects to achieve the goal of a peaceful continental periphery. Africa looks Indian investors, market and economy as positive factors for their own economic growth. India’s initiative in Africa without necessarily insisting on reciprocity is a positive practice of foreign policy to establish the real cooperation with Africa.