India-Africa summit: Modi govt reaps goodwill, the challenge is to convert it to opportunities and actions

By Seema Guha The mega India-Africa summit is done and dusted, proving once again that India can pull off a spectacular show when it wants to. It is in a way a coming-out party for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has not visited any African nation after coming to power in Delhi. As India aspires to be in the big league and play a much more important role in world affairs, this attempt to woo the 54 countries of the continent is in keeping with its global aspirations. The summit has helped to build goodwill across Africa and that is a huge plus. Consensus on foreign policy breaking down But big power ambitions are not enough. India’s squabbling politicians need to keep their fractious fights strictly within the domestic sphere. The bitter relations between the BJP and Congress cast its shadow on the summit. The Congress leaders gave Prime Minister Modi’s dinner for visiting dignitaries a miss, protesting against the governments efforts to downplay the contribution of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This is the first time that the internal squabbles of political parties are being reflected in foreign policy, which so far had the consensus of all political formations. The Congress was obviously delighted when several important African leaders referred to Nehru’s stellar contribution to Afro-Asian solidarity. What is more South Africa’s President Jacob Juma called on Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Feel-good factor A feel-good factor was evident as the summit ended. That India wants to play a bigger role in Africa’s development is also plain and welcomed by Africa. Prime Minister Modi announced a further $10 billion credit line for Africa, over the next five years. [caption id=“attachment_2489228” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] PM Modi with African leaders at India-Africa Summit. PTI[/caption] This is in addition to the over $7.4 billion already in place. Another $600 million was announced as grant assistance over the existing $1.2 billion announced earlier. While the monetary assistance is being appreciated, India’s USP with the African continent has much more to do with development models and institution building. Prime Minister Modi made this clear in his address to African leaders: “Our approach is based on the same belief: that the best partnership is one that develops human capital and institutions; that equips and empowers a nation to have the freedom to make its own choices and shoulder the responsibility for its own progress. ..So, development of human capital in every walk of life will be at the heart of our partnership. We will open our doors more; we will expand tele-education; and we will continue to build institutions in Africa.” Over and above all this, India’s engagement with Africa has much to do with South-South co-operation. Non-alignment, which was seen as one of the Congress party’s pet issues in the past, and therefore not popular with many in the BJP resonates well in Africa. India needs to stay on the course India is popular in Africa, because it is not seen as an extractive power. Despite China’s major investments and popularity with African leaders, there is also talk of China exploiting Africa. But India’s problem is lack of focus and inability to deliver on time. Prime Minister acknowledged this in his address: “There are times when we have done as well as you wanted us to. There have been occasions when we have not been as attentive as we should be. There are commitments we have not fulfilled as quickly as we should have.” UN Reforms While India and Africa are on the same page on the need for changes in the UN Security Council, which remains a relic of the past and reflects the will of the victors of the second World War, there is no guarantee that positions taken, or expressions of support for India, will remain static when the time comes. African nations are vying with each other to be members. New Delhi would be foolish to depend much on African nations, all of whom will play the game according to their self interest. No doubt some nations will support India’s bid, but there is no guarantee that the majority would do so. However on climate change, on issues of Western domination of the international banking system and fighting for a better deal for developing countries, India and Africa have always worked together and will do so now. Terrorism In world where terrorism is a major challenge, every international meet ends with a call for zero tolerance for terrorism. This finds mention in the joint statement released at the end of the meet. Yes, everyone must do its bit, but the kind of terrorism faced by African countries is quite different from what India faces. Boko Haram is home grown terrorism which is hoping to spread beyond Nigeria. Al Qaeda is there in Africa though not much is heard of Islamic State. Intelligence sharing and training some African countries to strengthen its police and defence establishments can be done, but beyond that there is little in common. India’s also pitched for African nations to support its Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which had been brought in by the first NDA government in 1996, and has been gathering dust at the UN. But chances of that getting support from the majority of African countries remain doubtful.