Evolving Dynamics of India–African Union Relations: From Symbolic Partnership to Strategic Multilateral Engagement

Subtopic: Historical Foundations

India and Africa share a multifaceted and long – standing relationship extend backs to ancient times. The historical foundations of India- African Union relations are rooted in trade, cultural exchanges, shared colonial past, and a mutual struggle for independence. The relations got a boost in the Islamic age, which is evident by the accounts of Marco Polo. Both countries faced the British imperial conquest and domination, despite being on different continents.  After India got independent, it raised voice for African liberation and the end of apartheid on international platforms. Both countries have similar socio- political struggle hence they have collaborated on many international forums like Bandung Declaration of 1955, the Group of 77, and the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM). In recent decades, the foundation for a diplomatic partnership that has evolved frim symbolic solidarity to organized strategic engagement.

Ancient Trade and Cultural Linkages:

India and Africa are divided by the Indian Ocean geographically. Since ancient times, both nations have been connected by the monsoon winds, maritime links, trade relations, people to people contact and struggle against colonialism.  The “Periplus of the Erythraean Sea” is a guidebook for sailors that highlights India’s historical connections with West Asia and Africa, specifically focusing on the Zenj Coast and Egypt. This Greco-Roman text, believed to have been written between the 1st and 3rd century BCE, provides insight into the natural convergence of India with these regions. The maritime trade links with the East African Coast initiated the migration of Indian traders into Central and South African regions. Post the commencement of the European Imperial era, Africa became a focus of contention and battleground for colonizers like the British, French and Portuguese. As a result, Africa witnessed the slave trade in the seventeenth century. These slaves were taken to Europe for the Industrial Revolution. The presence of these European powers in Africa led to the need for new opportunities, such as the need for skilled workers like masons, blacksmiths, and carpenters in colonies like Mauritius and Reunion which were being established by the French. Recognizing these opportunities, Indian traders in Africa brought skilled individuals from different regions of the West Coast of India to fill these roles. Later on, Indians began to settle down in East African regions, Mauritius and Reunion. Post the abolition of slavery in 1833 in Britain, bonded labourers were brought from India to Africa as a part of the indentured labour system to work on railway construction, and cotton and sugar plantations as well. Since then, the India- Africa partnership has evolved into multidimensional and comprehensive aspects.

The Indian Ocean acted as a conduit between the Indian subcontinent and the eastern coast of Africa, especially the Swahili coast, as early as the first century CE. Indian traders and navigators regularly frequented ports in modern-day Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, engaging in the exchange of commodities such as textiles, spices, ivory, and gold. Archaeological findings from locations like Kilwa and Zanzibar reveal the presence of Indian beads, pottery, and coins, indicating strong commercial relationships. Furthermore, these interactions facilitated cultural exchanges. Indian communities, particularly those from Gujarat, established themselves in various regions of East Africa and assimilated with local populations. Hindu and Islamic influences permeated African shores, while African goods, concepts, and traditions were introduced into Indian society through trade and interaction. This reciprocal exchange laid an early groundwork for mutual understanding and respect.

Colonialism and Shared Struggles

With the arrival of European colonial powers in India and Africa, the trade patterns underwent significant changes as their relations entered a new era of colonialism. During this time, many Indians migrated to Africa as traders, laborers, and professionals, especially in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa. India’s involvement in Africa deepened during the struggle against colonial expression. In 1927 there was Afro- Asian conference (League against Imperialism and Colonial Oppression) in Brussels. The conference was called “conference of oppressed countries.” India was a participant who advocated decolonization for Africa. This marked the era of cooperation between India and Africa.

Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and the Indian National Congress (INC) played crucial roles in shaping India’s ideological ties with Africa. The influence of the Gandhian movement in South Africa continues to impact African governments. African society has greatly benefited from Gandhi’s ideas, and his ideology played a significant role in the liberation efforts of key African leaders, including Tanzania’s Kwame Nyerere and Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda. Former Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru considered and termed Africa as India’s “sister continent” due to their strong affinities and historical connections. He advocated Afro- Asian solidarity, with African countries supporting Nehru’s Non- Aligned Movement (NAM). This era was marked by ideational and pragmatic diplomacy.

Since the 1960s, about 76 visits have been made by Indian Prime Ministers to Africa at a level of engagement that surpasses that of other countries. India also offered scholarships, training programs, and diplomatic support to newly independent African states, helping to develop their administrative and institutional capacities. These initiatives were less about transactional diplomacy and more about building ideological alliances grounded in shared experiences and common goals.

The conceptual basis of the relationship between India and the African Union is rooted in their common historical background, the struggle for decolonization, and Nehru’s Panchsheel policy advocating peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding. Additionally, the Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung in 1955 serves as another fundamental aspect of the Indo-African ties.

India- Africa Economic Cooperation in the New Millennium

The beginning of the 21st century saw a major shift in India–Africa economic relations. Beyond the symbolic solidarity of the post-colonial period, the new millennium witnessed a strategic realignment towards more intensive and diversified economic cooperation. This was facilitated by globalization, India’s economic liberalization, and Africa’s re-emergence as a major source of natural resources and an expanding consumer market.

Traditionally, the African continent has played a central role in India’s foreign policy. India has significantly enhanced its engagement with Africa, especially since the 1990s. One of India’s primary goals since then has been to foster deeper and closer South-South cooperation and expand economic cooperation with all nations and regions of the Continent. One of the strongest signs of such an increasing relationship is the manifold increase in bilateral trade.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s Direction of Trade Statistics, India–Africa trade increased from US$4.1 billion in 1997 to around US$98 billion in 2022–23, exhibiting a 9.3% year-on-year expansion. Today, India has become Africa’s third-largest trading partner, just after the European Union and China. The partnership is a mirror of a complementary economic relationship: Africa provides essential commodities such as crude oil, gold, coal, and other minerals, and India sends out pharmaceuticals, engineering products, automobiles, textiles, and IT services.

In 2022- 23, India’s total trade with the African region comprising 54 countries was USD 97.85 billion in 2022-23. During the period 2018-19 to 2022-23, trade increased at a CAGR of 8.87%. India’s exports to the African region stood at USD 51.20 billion and recorded a growth of 27.30% in 2022-23 vis a vis 2021-22. India’s imports from the African region were USD 46.65 billion and registered a decline of 5.41% during the same period.

Conclusion:

The historical roots of India- African Union relations run deep into centuries of engagement through trade, migration, colonialism and political solidarity. These historical foundations have created a solid foundation for today’s engagement that now extended into the strategic areas like energy, digital technology, defense, and multilateral diplomacy.  Both regions have been engaged in a variety of mutually beneficial initiatives, and the potential for expanded cooperation- particularly in information technology is immense

The new millennium offers an opportunity for both India and the countries of Africa to deepen their South- South cooperation and build a long- term partnerships across emerging sectors.

In essence, the relationship is no longer symbolic- it is strategic, sustainable and on the cusp of even closer alignment in the decades to come.

References:

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