Continental shift

African leaders themselves know only too well how the advent of globalisation shifted the economic balance of power in favour of countries like China and India,and how that has been fortunate for African states by increasing their own bargaining power with Western nations and financial institutions,thanks to the new opportunities from Beijing and New Delhi. Delhi itself is only too aware of how far ahead Beijing has stridden in Africa. However,the summit also emphasised that India is not in competition with anybody. Its involvement in Africa is on its own terms,at its own pace,for the mutual benefit of both sides. Given India’s salient advantages,such as its democratic experience and efficient private sector (the latter’s investments interface the continent and Delhi unlike China’s state-owned enterprises),and also its resource limitations,India has rightly chosen to chalk out its unique path in Africa,avoiding both the crusading zeal of the West and the cynical non-interventionism of China.

But what Delhi needs next is a system of political accounting at home for its Africa policy,particularly a review system of the aid given to ensure it is not misused. Moreover,aid is rarely called so any more,and India and Africa are growing trading partners. Properly accounted for,this engagement with Africa can be the model for India’s strategy in the developing world. As such,India’s Africa policy has to be recast in a broader international perspective.