Report of the Seminar
India-Africa Enduring Partnership: Emerging Areas of Co-operation, organized by the Centre for African Studies, jointly with African Studies Association of India.
(Sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research, Mumbai and Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi)
On 2nd, 3rd and 4th March, 2011, Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai and African Studies Association of India jointly hosted an International Seminar on India- Africa Enduring Partnership: Emerging Areas of Co-operation. The Seminar was funded by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Mumbai. The seminar, held over 21/2 days in the ICSSR Conference hall in Mumbai, drew attention on India’s renewed focus on Africa in this decade.
The conference had three broad objectives:
1. To bring together national and international Africanists, researchers, policy makers, industrialists, senior officials from public and corporate sectors, and consultants working in this field, to share their views and provoke critical debate on India-Africa Relations as they stand in 2011.
2. To stimulate academic and policy debate how to build policy relevant knowledge and conceptual understanding on the issues involved in India-Africa Relations.
3. To promote African Studies in India.
The Conference was attended by 40 participants. They were drawn not only from the academic field but also from the business and defence communities.
Dr. Rajan Walukar, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mumbai, inaugurated the seminar and Dr. Aparajita Biswas, Professor and Director of the Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, offered welcome remarks. This was followed by an inaugural address by Mr. Rajinder Bhagat, Joint Secretary (West Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India. He spoke on India-Africa Partnership in Development: Expansion and Co-operation in Existing and emerging areas that have helped to lay the foundation for the analysis of India’s policy perspectives in the emerging areas of co-operation with the African countries.
Prof. Ajay Dubey, Director, Area Studies Program in Jawaharlal Nehru University and General Secretary of ASA, was on the Chair, and Prof. Rajen Harshe, Professor, Department of Political Science and former Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad University and President of ASA, moved the Vote of Thanks.
The inaugural session was followed by 3 other thematic panels, namely:
1) Prospects of India- Africa Relations
2) India- Africa Cooperation in the Agricultural Sector and
3) India- Africa Cooperation Partnership
Speakers of the first thematic session included Prof. Makumi Mwagiru, Director, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi, Prof. Ajay Dubey, Director, Area Studies Program in Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dr. Musambayi Katumanga, Associate Professor, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi. The session chair was Mr. Rajinder Bhagat, Joint Secretary (West Asia), MEA.
Prof. Makumi Mwagiru’s paper was titled India-Africa Relations: Perspectives, Perceptions and Prospects. He began by examining India-Africa Relations from a very contemporary perspective which revolves around issues of a geo-economic nature such as the search for natural resources or quest for bigger business opportunities. He examines the East African region, especially Kenya, as its basis. Prof. Mwagiru then argued that as the Indians have been settled in the region through the ages, India is perceived as ‘one of us’ because of these entrenched communities. According to him, India-Kenya relations should be based on equality and mutual respect between each other.
Prof. Ajay Dubey’s paper was on Diaspora as a Heritage Resource between Indo-African Relations. He proposed a framework for the analysis of the Indian diaspora as a heritage of resources. He noted that they are not only key drivers in development efforts but also in strengthening bilateral relations between host and home nations. This potential of the diaspora has gained growing international recognition, both in political and academic/research circles, as well as among diaspora members themselves.
Prof. Musambayi Katumanga’s paper was on Horizontal Africa and Future Securities in India. He put forward an interesting proposition for analysis. He explained how Mahanian and Mackinder’s naval and continental logic transformed Africa into a bridgehead for the securitization of the British Raj. Mahan’s concept of "sea power" was based on the idea that the most powerful navy will control the globe; it was most famously presented in his book published in 1890 titled “The influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783”. The concept had an enormous influence in shaping the strategic thought of navies across the world, especially in USA, Germany, Japan and Britain.
This paper sets out three core tasks: Firstly, recapitulate on the Curzonian Africa – Raj security coupling; secondly, it imagines a similar construction anchored on dual security which enhances energy and trade driven horizontal infrastructure in the East and Horn of Africa. Thirdly, it elucidates on how co-operation in the realization of the foregoing tasks will likely underpin security-based economic interdependence that is critical for stability in Africa.
Panelists of the second thematic sessions included Dr. Suresh Kumar, Head of the Department of African Studies, Delhi University, Prof. S.N. Malakar, Chairperson of Department of African Studies, JNU, Dr. Vyacheslav Usov, Institute for African Studies, Russia, and Dr. Renu Modi, Senior lecturer, Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai. The session chair was H.E. Genet Teshombe Jirru, Consul General of the Ethiopian Consulate in Mumbai.
Dr Suresh Kumar’s paper was on Agro-Industry as an Emerging Sector: Mutual Interests of India and Africa. He explained how the private regional agricultural sector in Africa, which is capable of adding maximum value to and raising the competitiveness of agricultural commodities, is not expanding because of lack of proper policies and environmental environment. He discussed the Resolution of the Abuja Food Security Summit of 2006 which identified 9 continental strategic commodities. He argued that India’s experience of agro-industry can strengthen agricultural commodity chains across the borders and accomplish the needs of African population as well as global market.
In his presentation on India-Africa Agricultural Cooperation: Emerging Necessities and Opportunities, Prof. Malakar, discussed the need for strengthening agricultural research and development skills in India and African countries. He touched on the important issue of the need for agricultural reforms in both India and African countries.
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Dr. Renu Modi’s paper was on Indian investment in the agriculture sector in East Africa and the Food Security debate. She raised critical and controversial issues like the alleged ‘land grabs’ by foreign firms, including Indian. She argued in her paper whether the capacity building and sharing of the Indian Green Revolution have a trickle down impact on the provision of livelihoods and access to food.
Dr. Usov in his paper on Indian Investments in African Agriculture and the question of “land Grabbing” . argued forcefully against huge Indian investments in agricultural land in Africa for commercial use.
Panelists of the third thematic session of the day were Dr. K C Tiwari, Associate Professor, NDA, Pune, Dr. Saji Sadasivan, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Hyderabad University and Dr. Jamal M. Moosa, Associate Professor, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi. Prof. Dinesh Hegde, Professor, NITIE, Mumbai, was on the Chair.
Dr. K C Tiwari in his paper India and Africa Strategic and Economic Relationship - China’s Factor discussed 4 important aspects. These were a) China’s African Strategic and Economic Policy b) India’s recent strategic and economic commitment in Africa
c) Comparison of India and China in their African commitment; d) Scope of Economic and Strategic Cooperation between India and Africa. He argued that India particularly needs to step up its response to Chinese activity in Africa by developing a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach such as strategic co-operation and economic trade with African countries.
The second day sessions was held in the World Trade Centre, Mumbai. The well-known industrialists, Mr. Vijay G. Kalantri, Vice Chairman, MVIRC-World Trade Centre, inaugurated the session. He stressed on the need for interaction between academic departments of the University and the industries. He highlighted the Indian private sector investments in Africa and how the sectors helped several African countries in capacity building activities.
In his keynote address Prof. Rajen Harshe discussed various aspects of contemporary international relations like globalisation, post-cold war scenario, and its impact on the African countries.
The first thematic session was chaired by Dr. Alex Vines, Head, Africa Program of Chatham House, London. Panelists of this session were Dr. Carlos Cardoso, of CODESRIA, Mr. Ajay Kumar Sinha, Senior Manager of Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council, India’s Pharmaceutical Exports to Africa, New Delhi, and Dr. Iman Kalyan Lahiri, Assistant Professor of the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University.
Dr. Carlos Cardoso in his paper on India and Africa: What Partnership for Research and Development? raised an important question on co-operation in social science research and also discussed in his paper the matter of whether India and Africa have convergent interests in the area of social science research and, if so, what are they and what platforms and mechanisms can be envisaged to make the co-operation possible and fruitful.
Mr. Ajay Kumar Sinha’s paper was titled India’s Pharmaceutical Exports to Africa.
He claimed that the Indian pharmaceutical industry has been growing at a compound annual rate of 17% in recent years. He explained that the tremendous rise in sales of Indian pharmaceutical products in African countries was because of herbal and ayuevedic products, and the low prices of the HIV- drugs. Important markets for the Indian pharmaceutical industries are the East African region and South Africa.
Dr Iman Kalyan Lahiri presented a paper on South-South Co-operation and India-South Africa Relations in the Post-Cold War Period. He stressed on the need for co-operation in the areas of trade and investment between India and South Africa, to strengthen south-south cooperation
Panelists of the second thematic sessions included Dr. Aparajita Biswas, Professor and Director, Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, Dr Alex Vines, Director, Africa Programme, Chatham House, London and Mr. David Rosquinha, Chief General Manager, EXIM Bank of India.
Prof. Aparajita Biswas with her paper on India’s Energy Security and its Relations with Oil-rich African Countries, unfolded the debate on the widening concept of security where energy has come to be increasingly securitized and energy flashpoints projected as the focus of international politics She discussed the Government of India’s strategy to diversify energy imports and the role of Indian public and private oil companies in African oil fields She argues that the one of the reasons for the Government of India’s proactive policy towards African countries is to acquire oil, since the African continent holds 10% of the world’s oil reserves.
Dr. Alex Vines presented a paper on Asian Oil Investments in Africa: Lessons from Angola and Nigeria. This paper looked at Asian oil investments in Sub-Saharan Africa and draw lessons from Angola and Nigeria. He argued that although in recent years, India has been purchasing more oil from Angola, and although Nigeria accounted for some 12% of India’s oil imports in 2010 and remains one of India’s key African partners, yet India could not make any significant inroads towards oil equity gains in these two countries.
Mr. David Rosquinha presented a paper on Exim Bank of India’s Lines of Credit policy towards the African Countries. He began by offering an overview of Exim Bank’s various financial and promotional programmes in order to promote India's trade and investment relations with Africa. He explained that Exim Bank provides Lines of Credit to Governments, Government agencies, banks and financial institutions in African countries for financing export of projects, goods and services from India. As of today, Mr Rosquinha said, Exim Bank has 75 lines of credit, covering 46 countries in Africa, with the value of credit amounting to US $ 2.5 billion. Exim Bank also provides information and advisory services and finance for promoting participation of Indian companies in projects in Africa, funded by AfDB as also the World Bank.
The third thematic session was chaired by Dr. Denis Venter. Panelists of the session included Dr Utham Kumar Jamadhagni, Assistant Professor, Defence College, Chennai, Dr. Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, IDSA, New Delhi and Dr. Bijoy Ketan Pratihari, Assistant Professor, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi.
Dr. Utham Kumar presented his paper on Indian Navy's African Odyssey. He argued in his paper that India’s programme for training of defence personnel, supply and requisition of weapons and related equipment to and from African countries, initiating naval exercises with African powers as part of south-south cooperation, establishing naval facilities at strategic points and extending development related assistance through its naval arm have been some of the highlights of Indian Navy’s functioning. While there have been consistent relations in the naval dimension, much more needs to be accomplished. New challenges that are global in ramifications such as the rampant piracy attacks off the Somali coast; threat of maritime terrorism, and danger to the security of energy sea lanes strengthen the case for deeper naval contact with this vast continent.
Dr. Ruchita Beri presented her paper on India and Africa: Evolving Strategic Partnership. Her point of argument revolved around the new paradigm of India-Africa relations that was highlighted during the India-Africa summit held in April 2008. Her paper explored the evolving partnership between India and African countries in addressing various strategic and security issues like reform and democratisation of international institutions, particularly United Nations; environmental degradation such as climate change; combating terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking, small arms and light weapons; spread of communicable diseases and promoting non-proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
Dr Bijoy Ketan Pratihari’s paper was on India’s Strategic and Security Relations with Africa. He examined the current dynamics of India-Africa relations. He focused on
co-operation between India and the African countries on strategic areas. He argued that in order to protect its sea lane of communication in the Indian Ocean, India should strengthen its defense agreements with countries like Mozambique, Madagascar and Seychelles.
The fourth thematic session of the second day was chaired by Prof. S.N. Malakar. Panelists of the session included Dr. Nivedita Ray, Senior fellow, ICWA, New Delhi and Dr. Bidhan Pathak, Fellow, Department of African Studies, JNU.
Dr. Nivedita Ray presented her paper on India-Africa Expanding Ties: Strategic Interests and Concerns. She discussed the strategic significance of India and African countries for each other and common interests which have contributed to this invigorated partnership in the true spirit of South-South co-operation. However, in her paper she raised very pertinent questions despite these commonalities of interests. While seizing opportunities in Africa, is India mindful and sensitive to Africa’s concerns? Would India’s current involvement in Africa, which is more private sector-led, work in the interests of less privileged citizens, workers and consumers in Africa? As India emerges to play a greater role in shaping the multilateral polity and global economy, would it be able to strike a balance between the South–South co-ordination promoted by its policy-makers and its economic commercial interests?
Dr. Bidhan Pathak presented his paper on India and Francophone Africa: Changing Foreign Policy of India. His paper focused on the shift and changes in India’s Francophone Africa policy, and underlined the priorities of Indian foreign policy in the region. According to him, there has been a significant change in India’s Francophone Africa policy since 1990’s when it stopped seeing these countries in terms of the old Third World agenda of decolonization and non-alignment. The recent Indian efforts were about plugging a huge gap in India’s strategy of intensifying political and economic contact with these countries. Team-9 initiative is an important point of reference in India’s relations with Francophone African countries.
The third day of the seminar was held in the ICSSR Conference Hall. Ambassador of Ethiopia to India, Mrs. Gennet Zewide Ambassador of Ethiopia to India was on the chair. Prof. Aparajita Biswas, welcomed the Indian business community, and Dr. Manendra Sahu, introduced the speakers to the audience. The session was intended to facilitate dialogue with the business community and academics in the field of African Studies in India. This was the reason for the Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, to invite leading businessman, Mr Sai Ramkrishna Karuturi (Managing Director, Karuturi Global Ltd.) for the keynote address. Karuturi Global has become the world’s largest producer of cut roses, thanks to identifying Kenya and Ethiopia as a hub for cultivation and export of roses. Mr. Karuturi very articulately discussed the engagement of Karaturi Global Ltd. with Ethiopia and how Ram Karuturi was instrumental in acquiring 3,11,000 Ha of land in Ethiopia for strategic foray into agricultural production.
The welcome address was followed by a business session. Panelists of this session included Dr. Manendra Sahu, Senior Lecturer, Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, Mr. D.P. Srivastava, CEO, Unimark Remedies Ltd. and Mr Sumanta Choudhury, Pharmaceutical Cosultant, International Marketing.
Dr. Manendra Sahu presented a paper on India Africa Trade: A Statistical Review. The paper reviewed the growth of trade in some key sectors. It highlighted sectors that worked as engines of growth in the overall trade. He identified sectors like refined petroleum products and pharmaceuticals as contributing a much higher percentage to the growth of trade. Mr. D.P. Srivastava presented a paper on Capacity Building -Pharmaceutical and Health Care (Africa Opportunity). Mr. Sumanto Choudhury presented a paper on India’s Pharmaceutical Exports to East Africa.
KEY RECCOMENDATIONS
1. Compilation of the Conference Papers into an edited book.
2. Creation of a Knowledge base on India- Africa Relations involving the policy aspects, its success and failures.
3. Multi-level capacity Building: India’s policy of capacity building in Africa featured prominently throughout the presentations and discussions at the conference. India’s ITEC programme, need for human resource development in Africa, exchange of experience were identified as the key areas of need in looking India- Africa relations forward.
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