President Murmu on three-nation Africa tour, 5 things to know

President Droupadi Murmu has embarked on a three-nation tour of Africa. She is covering Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi during the visit.

In recent years, India has ramped up engagements with African nations as India has projected itself as the leader of the Global South, a term for the world’s developing nations across continents.

India has sought to deepen its political, economic, and security ties with the developing nations lately. Moreover, as China —the principal Indian adversary— has also made inroads among developing nations in recent years and trapped in cycles of debt, India has also championed the alternative development model based on transparency and inclusivity.

In Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi, Murmu will engage with the political leaders, economic and trade bodies, and Indian diasporas.

Herre are five things to know about Murmu’s three-nation Africa tour.

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1. Historic first presidential visit to Algeria, Mauritania, Malawi

Murmu’s visit to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi is the first by an Indian head of state.

Murmu arrived in Algeria on a three-day visit on Sunday (October 13). The visit comes at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

During the visit, Murmu will hold bilateral talks with Tebboune several Algerian leaders including leaders of both the houses of the Algerian parliament.

India and Algeria share cordial relations with cooperation in several fields including strategic sectors like energy, security, and space, and Murmu’s visit is expected to further enhance bilateral ties between the two countries, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ahead of the presidential visit.

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After Algeria, Murmu will visit Mauritania on October 16. The visit comes at a time when the nation is holding the presidency of the African Union (AU).

President will address the India-Algeria Economic Forum and the Sidi Abdellah Science and Technology Pole University. She will also inaugurate the India Corner at Hamma Garden at Jardin d’essai. India and Algeria share cordial relations

During the visit, Murmu will hold talks with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay, and Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Merzoug.

In the final leg of the visit, Murmu will visit Malawi on October 17-19 at the invitation of President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

During the visit, Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with Malawi’s leaders.

Ahead of the visit, the MEA said Murmu’s visit will reaffirm India’s strong commitment to further strengthen existing friendly and cordial relations with Malawi.

2. Focus on trade and economy

During the visit, Murmu will be engaging with trade and industry bodies in the three countries as part of the government’s focus on improving trade and commerce ties.

In Algeria, Murmu will address the India-Algeria Economic Forum and the Sidi Abdellah Science and Technology Pole University, said the MEA.

In Malawi, Murmu will interact with key trade and industry leaders, according to the MEA.

3. Engagement with diaspora

Murmu will also connect with the Indian diaspora during the visit to three African nations.

In Mauritania, Murmu will interact with the members of the Indian community, said the MEA.

In Algeria, Murmu will inaugurate the India Corner at Hamma Garden at Jardin d’essai in the capital Algiers, as per the MEA.

In Malawi, the MEA said ahead of the visit that Murmu will meet the Indian diaspora.

4. India’s Africa connect at a time China making inroads

Murmu’s visit to the three African nations is the latest in India’s outreach to Africa at a time when China is making inroads in the continent.

In recent years, India has been developing inclusive developmental partnerships with countries as well as multilateral institutions like the African Union (AU). Notably, Mauritania currently holds the AU presidency that Murmu is visiting.

Last year, it was a result of India’s championing of Africa’s cause that AU was inducted into the G-20 as a full member. At the time, Manish Dabhade, an Assistant Professor at the School of International Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), said to Outlook that the inclusion of AU under India’s presidency countered China’s designs in Africa.

“Leading the developing world is key to Indian foreign policy and interests. The inclusion of AU in G20 in India’s presidency and other initiatives of India in Africa and elsewhere also counter China’s engagement in Africa and developing countries everywhere. China has an active presence in Africa with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indian initiatives and G20 membership provide Africa an alternative and give the region a voice at the world stage that China does not give. That way, the AU membership of G20 is important and in line with Indian engagement with the Global South,” said Dabhade at the time.

5. India-African partnership Global South

Africa is central to India’s championing of the Global South’s causes.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the G-7 that India considered it a responsibility to raise the concerns of the Global South at the world stage.

“India has always considered it a responsibility to raise the priorities and concerns of the Global South’s nation on the world stage. India has accorded Africa high importance in such initiatives. We are proud that we made African Union (AU) a permanent member of G-20 during our presidency. India has been committed to the economic and social development of all nations and their stability and security and will remain committed in the future as well,” said Modi.

Echoing the sentiment, ahead of Murmu’s visit, the MEA said that the visit was reflective of India’s deep desire to strengthen its partnership with countries in Africa.