Now Reading: India and China chart separate paths in Africa
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India and China chart separate paths in Africa
India and China are both expanding their presence in Africa, but analysts see room for both to coexist as they pursue different outreach strategies. China has sent medical experts and supplies to over 50 African nations to fight Covid-19, while India has reached out to at least 32 countries with medical aid. Beijing's larger financial resources have given it a greater stake, but New Delhi's approach offers unique advantages, the South China Morning Post reports.
The competition played out in 2018 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured key African states ahead of President Xi Jinping's visits. In Uganda, Modi announced credit lines and support across health, agriculture, infrastructure, education, defence and energy. India's renewed focus on Africa is partly driven by China's growing footprint on the continent, including rising maritime interests. Analysts say the two Asian giants need not view Africa as a zero-sum arena.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The real contest is not about total investment, China has lent over $150 billion to African nations since 2000, dwarfing India’s estimated $30 billion in lines of credit, but about positioning in sectors where each has a comparative advantage: Chinese-built railways and ports versus Indian IT, pharmaceuticals, and small-enterprise capacity-building. Africa is set to become the world’s fastest-growing region for power demand, and both countries need energy and mineral access. The next concrete signal to watch is whether India raises its $10 billion Africa Development Fund at the next India-Africa Forum Summit, stalled since 2015.
Source: scmp.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
