Paper short abstract:

India's engagement with Africa is based on a unique developmental model which attempts to foster a symbiotic relationship. This paper argues that India, a developing nation and an emerging global power, is a reliable partner in Africa's progress.

Paper long abstract:

India's relations with Africa date back many centuries, to the time when Indian traders began to engage with countries along the eastern coast of Africa. It continued in the 20th Century with factors such as Afro-Asian resurgence, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Collective Self-Reliance of South acting as key drivers of the relations. However the post globalization era witnessed bludgeoning economic relations acting as the main rallying point, resulting in the emergence of a new architecture.

India is strengthening its ties with Africa through increasing trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) which is driven mostly by its private sector. Additionally, India has actively pursued a capacity-building lead development agenda in Africa since the 1960's. Its assistance focuses on political, social and cultural fields, with education and human resource development being the majour thrust areas- as the aim of New Delhi has been to empower the African populace in their road to development.

This article will explore India's development cooperation policy which is clearly distinct from the OECD/DAC and the Chinese approach. The impact of India's development assistance policy and its large scale investments across sectors in several African countries and the feasibility of building symbiotic relations with these nations will be analyzed threadbare.