China's Belt and Road Initiative helps African countries in reducing the infrastructure gap in the region. However, it also leaves them open to the risk of unsustainable debt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent tour of Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa increased to 26 the number of African countries visited by very senior leaders, thus contributing to a significant reduction in India’s visibility deficit in the continent.
The Asia Africa Growth Corridor provides a transparent and inclusive alternate to the countries of Africa. It builds on the Japanese ethos of working with quality and India’s long and historic people- centric partnership with African countries.
The existence of vast natural resources, both living and non- living, in the marine ecosystem, has led to a concern about sustainability of harnessing these resources. The increasing emphasis on the blue economy by policy makers in the African countries and India, presents an opportunity for cooperation in this crucial area.
Senior Research Associate, IDSA, Ms Ruchita Beri’s article on Anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, titled, ‘Anti-immigrant violence in South Africa may impact Diaspora ties” was published in India Review and Analysis, vol. 1, issue 7, April 10, 2017
The Corridor marries India’s brand of human resources development and capacity building with Japan’s objective of delivering quality infrastructure in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Africa will go a long way in cementing ties with the African countries in the field of food security, energy and defence. At the same time, this visit will put to rest criticism of India’s visibility deficit in the region.
Terrorism has grown exponentially in the African continent, not only in terms of the number of attacks but also the number of countries affected. There is an arc of instability spreading across Africa, from Nigeria in the west to Somalia in the east.
India’s relations with African countries are surging ahead in the political, economic and multilateral spheres. To an extent, this reflects India’s recognition of the economic and political transformation of Africa in the recent years. Last year, there was a spurt in the number of countries going to the polls in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ivory Coast in the west to the Seychelles in the east; the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa and Zambia in southern Africa. At the same time, Africa has performed quite well economically.
Over the coming decade, converging global security challenges will necessitate combined efforts by states to manage threats and maximise opportunities. Among the most significant challenges that India and Africa will face in paricular, are reforms in global governance institutions, maritime security threats in the Indian Ocean, energy insecurity and the rise of extremism and terrorism. This volume combines Indian and African perspectives with regard to the common security challenges they are likely to face in the foreseeable future.
Belt and Road Initiative: An opportunity or risk for Africa?
China's Belt and Road Initiative helps African countries in reducing the infrastructure gap in the region. However, it also leaves them open to the risk of unsustainable debt.