By Fawzia Moodley:
Africa’s fourth-largest trade partner, India, is keen to strengthen its ties with the continent without competing with China, which has a huge economic footprint in the region.
This was the message from New Delhi to Angolan President João Lourenço during his recent state visit to India (May 1-4), where the two countries committed themselves to deepening relations.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade between them reaching $295 billion in 2024. Beijing’s primary exports are manufactured goods and machinery, while Africa exports raw materials such as crude oil, iron ore, and minerals to China.
India is Africa’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $103 billion in 2023, having grown by 18% annually since 2003. New Delhi exports machinery, chemicals, and vehicles to the continent. It is also a major investor in Africa in sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, and automobiles. Africa’s main exports to India are minerals, oil, and agricultural products.
India, which wants to grow its presence in Africa through capacity building, infrastructure partnerships, and strategic investments, enjoys a cordial relationship with Angola. Bilateral trade between New Delhi and Luanda reached $4,192 billion during 2023-2024.
Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA),
said India wanted to leverage its strengths rather than engage with Africa as a competitor to China
.
“China has a very strong presence not just in Angola but across Africa, but we have to also understand our strengths. There are certain areas where India can do very well. There are certain areas, perhaps China is already doing well, but (‘s not necessarily the competition,” Ravi said.
He said India had much to offer Africa, especially in areas like skills training, low-cost solutions, and people-centric development: “India’s skills, India’s low-cost solutions have their own merit, their own value. And (are) deeply appreciated by the African countries and the leadership, and we would like to build on our strengths in deepening India’s role in the global South, particularly in the African continent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to expanding its engagement with Africa. He recognised Angola’s leadership of the African Union (AU) as being crucial for advancing their mutual goals for the Global South.
“Under Angola’s presidency, the strength of India and the African Union’s partnership will strengthen further,” said Modi, adding, “In the last 10 years, we’ve opened 17 new embassies in Africa.“
The Angolan President shared New Delhi’s desire for closer ties between the two countries, saying: “I have also come to India with the intention of showcasing a new vision for relations between our countries.”
He added: “Both our nations combined can help establish a significantly expanded foundation for business opportunities.”
Lourenco acknowledged India’s growing global influence and agreed to mutually identify with India and on dates for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit. In turn, New Delhi promised to support Angola in mobilising African leadership during its chairship of the African Union (AU) and its central role in regional leadership.
India approved a 200 million dollar Line of Credit for defense procurement and they signed multiple MoUs during Laurenco’s visit, including in agriculture, culture, and traditional medicine. Angola also signed the Framework Agreement to join the International Solar Alliance.
New Delhi and Luanda also found common ground on international issues, including reform of the United Nations. “Both have a collective interest to ensure that the reform takes place effectively and reflects the contemporary realities,” Ravi said.
India has long enjoyed warm relations with Africa, having supported the continent’s efforts to throw off the shackles of colonialism, and Laurenco’s visit will undoubtedly spur further cooperation between the South Asian giant and Africa. – @NewsSA_Online
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