Indian Council of World Affairs

Indian Council of World Affairs organized a two-day international webinar on ‘India and Africa: Looking Ahead: Contemporary Realities and Emerging Prospects’ on 24-25 November 2020. The speakers constituted a multi-disciplinary group of academics, policy makers, diplomats, and experts from India and Africa.

2.  Major themes discussed in the Conference included:

• India Africa: Enhancing Co-operation on Global Issues
• Enhancing India-Africa Trade and Investment Linkages
• Agenda 2063 and Taking Stock of India-Africa Development Partnership
• India Africa Co-operation for Security, Stability and Sustainability: Energy, Environment and Food Security
• Deepening People to People Contacts between India and Africa: Role of Knowledge, Culture and Tourism
• Panel Discussion on India-Africa: The Way Forward
  
  

3.  The Inaugural Session was addressed by HE Mr Quartey Thomas Kwesi, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission, Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA Shri Rahul Chhabra, HE Mr. Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam, Ambassador of Eritrea to India and Dean of African Diplomatic Corps in India, and Dr. TCA Raghavan, Director General, ICWA. It was emphasized that India-Africa Partnership is one of the defining partnerships of 21^st century and is a model of South-South Cooperation. India is becoming an important stakeholder in Africa’s development. India-Africa engagement is deepening and has witnessed extensive exchange of high level visits in recent years. India is the third largest export destination for Africa. Its diplomatic presence in Africa is growing steadily. The relationship is dynamic and mutually beneficial. India was invited to contribute to Africa’s development across various sectors. It was noted that India can be a reliable partner in Africa’s efforts to ensure its food and energy security. Maritime Security and HADR delivery are emerging areas of cooperation. Africa needs to be part of the emerging concept of Indo-Pacific. It was also noted that Indian diaspora in Africa is well integrated and a positive force in African development.

4.  Session I on “India-Africa Co-operation on Global Issues” was chaired by Ambassador Asoke Mukerji, Former Permanent Representative of India to the UN. Speakers included Dr. Philani Mthembu, Executive Director, Institute of Global Dialogue, South Africa,, Dr Efem Ubi, Acting Director of Research Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Nigeria and Prof. CSR Murthy, Former Professor, Center for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. The session discussed the importance of India-Africa partnership in the the conext of ongoing geopolitical shifts, Covid-19 pandemic and emerging challenges to multilateralism. It was stated that India and Africa share the objective of equitable participation in decision-making processes of multilateral bodies of global governance, especially the UN. It was noted that there cannot be any more complacency in bringing about reforms in the UN. For realizing this objective, it is important to have a strong voice from Global South.

5.  Session II on “Enhancing trade and investment linkages between India and Africa” was chaired by Ambassador Gurjit Singh, Former Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia and African Union. Speakers included Dr. Mabouba Diagne, Vice President, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Mr. Hussein Hassan Hussein, Acting Director, Trade and Industry, African Union Commission and Ms. Harsha Bangari, Deputy Managing Director, Export-Import Bank of India. It was noted that India-Africa economic ties are guided by contemporary realities which include Covid 19 and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). There is a need for the partnership to be driven by the private sector and to become more investment-led along with the application of PPP mode. AfCFTA provides opportunities through lower tariff barriers and free movement of goods and people. Indian companies were invited to participate in a wide range of sectors such as IT and digital infrastructure, agriculture & agro-processing, transport & logistics, energy transmission, e-commerce, and fintech.

6.  Session III on “Agenda 2063 and Taking Stock of India Africa Development Partnership” was chaired by Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Societies, India. Speakers included Shri Akhilesh Mishra, Additional Secretary, Development Partnership Administration, Ministry of External Affairs, India, H.E. Jacqueline Mukangira  High Commissioner of Rwanda to India, and Dr. Prosper Honest Ngowi,  Professor of Economics, Mzumbe University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The discussion revolved around how India can best utilize its core competencies to partner with African countries in the context of Agenda 2063. As African societies are changing as rapidly as the rest of the world, India needs to align its development assistance to suit African requirements. India’s EXIM Bank and private sector can play a key role in this regard. It was also observed that there needs to be a mechanism to assess the impact of development partnership.

7.  Session IV on Security, Stability and Sustainability: Energy, Environment and Food Security was chaired by Amb HHS Viswanathan, Former High Commissioner to Nigeria and Distinguished Fellow, ORF, New Delhi. Speakers included Theophilus Acheampong, Petroleum Economist and Political Risk Analyst, Ghana, Mr. Caesar Cheelo, Research Economist, Trade and Customs Division, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Zambia and Dr. Debajit Palit Director, Rural Energy and Livelihoods, The Energy and Resources Institute, India. The discussion centered on Africa’s energy and food production potential. It was stated that, with 60% of the world’s arable land, Africa can supply food to the entire world. However, African countries face serious issues in ensuring access to food for their populations. Situation is similar in the domain of energy. Africa is in the stage of energy transition and needs concerted efforts to make the best use of available energy potential. It was noted that energy partnership is a key pillar of India-Africa partnership and its interconnections with food and environmental security cannot be overstated.

8.  Session V on “People to people contacts between India and Africa” was chaired by Shri Dinesh Patnaik, Director General, Indian Council of Cultural Relations, India. Speakers included Prof. Sanjukta Bhattacharya, Former Professor, Jadavpur University, India, Mr. Alassane Cissouma, Journalist, Mali Tribune, Mali and Mr Waihiga Mwaura, Editor, Citizen TV, Kenya. It was observed that the youth can play a major role in deepening India-African partnership. Though Indian cinema is popular in Africa, both sides know little about each other’s history, culture, music which hampers contemporary linkages. The role of media is important in this context. The need for efforts to promote tourism was emphasized.

9.  The Concluding Session saw participation of African Heads of Missions based in New Delhi: E. Mr. Mohammad Maliki, High Commissioner of Morocco to India,  H.E. Mr. Sebastian Beliwine, Charge d’Affaires, Ghana High Commission, India, H.E. Ms. Tahina Rasamoelina, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar, India and H.E. Ms. Tizita Mulugeta, High Commissioner of Ethiopia to India. The session was chaired by Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, Foreign Editor, Hindustan Times. It was observed that India not only needs a vibrant Africa policy but ‘several Africa policies’ given the sheer vastness and diversity of the African continent. It was noted that mutual trust is a crucial element of the India-Africa partnership. The world stands to benefit from a deeper India-Africa relationship. India Africa Forum Summits have played an important role in furthering these relations. In the post-pandemic world, health sector has emerged as an important area for cooperation. Suggestion was made for setting up of an India-Africa Economic Forum for B2B/private sector interface. Other sectors identified for cooperation included tourism, media, agriculture in addition to education and skill development. The positive contribution of the Annual CII-EXIM Bank Conclaves in strengthening India-Africa ties was noted.

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