Way Forward

 

  • India can try to make its cooperation with Africa more impactful in the following ways:
    • Clear strategy for African development
      • Targeting a few important areas like food and health security, climate change adaptation and gender equality will help improve development outcomes and make India’s development cooperation programme more effective
    • Continue the current focus on capacity building
      • Investment in human capital is the key to development in Africa. The current focus on capacity building is in line with Africa’s needs given the continent’s huge youth population that need skills and jobs
    • Harness Indian civil society organisations, NGOs, and Indian diaspora
      • The Indian government should explore greater collaboration with these organisations to implement development projects in Africa at low costs
    • Promote development-friendly private investments
      • Given the emphasis on mutual benefit in its strategy, India’s development cooperation should be aligned to its commercial interests in Africa.
      • Therefore, India should try to support Indian companies making investment in development-friendly projects for mutual benefit
    • Timely completion of projects
      • Efforts must be made to expedite the LoC projects.
      • Lessons should be drawn from other countries that have a much better record in implementation
    • Address concerns about academic experience in India
      • Affordability is not the only consideration for international students who are looking for a wholesome academic experience, which includes living conditions, quality of education, exposure, the institution’s global ranking and cultural experience.
      • Therefore, India must make largescale investments in its own higher education sector to project itself as an education hub for neighbouring countries and Africa
    • Improve the experiences of Africans in India
      • The Indian government should ensure that Africans studying or working in India are safe and enjoy their stay in the country.
      • Efforts should also be made to educate Indians about Africa so that people-to-people connections between India and Africa flourish.
  • It is certain that the guiding principles for India would be to engage in partnerships which are inclusive, people-centric, sustainable, transparent and driven by African needs and priorities
    • With this vision, it is hoped that an enriching partnership model is sustained that would prove beneficial to both partners with gains meant for the common citizens, in the years to come