Gist of Editorials: Fortifying the Africa Outreach | GS – II


Relevance :  GS Paper  II


Recently,  Indian dignitaries began their respective visits to Africa.

Economic links with Africa

  • In 2015, India agreed to provide credit worth $10 billion.
  • By 2017, India had cumulatively extended 152 Lines of Credit .
  • India has provided free access to its market for the exports..
  • India was ranked the third largest trading partner of Africa..

Issues in India-Africa relations

  • India’s economic relation with Africa dwarfed by China.
  • Disconnect between Indian developmental assistance economic engagement.
  • India’s developmental footprint in Africa does not produce commensurate empathy.
  • India’s aid being unconditional, the recipients often take it as an entitlement.

Way forward

  • Need to take direct control of our development programme instead of handing our funds to intermediaries such as the African Union.
  • India’s development assistance should prefer the countries with its substantial interests.
  • Prefer aiding countries which are willing to help us.
  • The aided project selected should be compatible with local requirements.
  • For greater transparency, India should prefer its public sector to implement the aid projects.

Conclusion

India’s aid to Africa should be reciprocated by acknowledgement and quid pro quo in terms of goodwill and institutional preference.


 

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