- Prelims: Current events of international importance, Global South, G20, GDP, African Union etc
- Mains GS Paper II: Bilateral, regional and global grouping involving India and Affecting India’s interests etc
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- President’s visit to Mauritius: “a close maritime neighbor, a cherished partner in the Indian Ocean Region, and a key player in our Africa outreach”.
- She inaugurated 14 community development projects and the laying of the foundation stone for a forensic science laboratory, all with Indian assistance.
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
Global South:
- The Global South is a term often used to identify regions within Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
- It is one of a family of terms, including “Third World” and “Periphery“, that denote regions outside Europe and North America.
- Economies not fully developed: Global South is used to describe countries whose economies are not yet fully developed and which face challenges such as low per capita income, excessive unemployment, and a lack of valuable capital.
- Located in tropics: Although the majority of Global South countries are indeed located in the tropics or Southern Hemisphere, the term itself is strictly economic.
- Australia is “down under” but not part of the Global South.
Importance of Africa:
- Africa’s significant growth rate of 8 percent.
- Its young population, with 60 percent under the age of 25,
- It is estimated to reach 1 billion people by 2040.
Opportunities in Africa :
- The potential for economic partnerships is immense.
- Indian investments in Africa reached $98 billion in 2023, with trade totalling $100 billion.
- Forty-two African countries are the second-largest recipients of all credit extended by India.
- Around 200 developmental projects have been completed in the region.
- Indian social enterprises and NGOs are exporting low-cost, scalable solutions, from eco-friendly houses to rural women solar engineers.
- Africa’s influence in global forums will be important for India’s vision for global governance.
- As Africa houses three-fourths of humanity and over 39 percent of the global GDP
- There’s a call to reform existing structures towards a more inclusive system focused on development.
- India’s advocacy for the African Union in the G20 has found resonance.
- Cooperation in the critical minerals sector.
- To build solar panels and batteries necessary for a low-carbon future
- access to minerals classified as “critical”, “transition” or “green” is key.
- Africa has 30 percent of the world’s mineral reserves, and is vital to power the energy transition.
- Given the geographical concentration of critical minerals, diversifying sources and fostering strategic partnerships with resource-rich nations are imperative for India’s growth and national security.
India-Africa:
Way Forward
- As India prepares for International Energy Agency terms “the dawn of a new industrial age: convergence of India’s supply chain diversification and Africa’s desire to capture the value chain introduces avenues for cooperation.
- India’s longstanding commitment to education and capacity building in Africa
- India could revamp existing collaborations or establish new ones with African technical organizations.
- This would bolster negotiation skills, training in project management, and devising industry-specific technical courses.
- Indian research institutes engaging with Africa’s research community can facilitate the creation of solutions to address Global South challenges.
- As India’s aspirations for the Global South take shape, leveraging historical partnerships with African countries remains imperative.
- A Punjabi farmer who relocated to Ethiopia to invest in agriculture resonates: “If you ask me why I moved, it’s obvious. Africa is the future.”
- To truly represent the South: It is essential to grasp the mood and changes in Africa, especially in its external partnerships.
- This will determine the contribution India can make to advance the African agenda.
- India’s equity in Africa is older and richer than that of China and the U.S., but that should not be a source of uncritical satisfaction.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalized nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate(UPSC 2019) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)
