This article studies the intensification of economic relations between Sub-Saharan Africa and India during the first mandate of Prime Minister Modi (2014-2019). There are two key moments that
mark the Indian approach to Africa: the third India-Africa forum in 2015, and Modi’s trip to the continent in 2018. There are very strong structural justifications for India’s interest in
Africa. From a political point of view, the Chinese advance, first economic, now also military and strategic, is an obvious threat to Indian interests in the Indian Ocean. From the economic point of view, the continued growth of the Indian economy requires the constant use of energy and raw materials that Africa has in abundance. The Indian presence in Africa was substantially successful in trade relations, where the country has achieved a very significant performance. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to the gap between imports (around US 20 billion) and exports (around US 13 billion). An effort to export more to Africa is necessary. In addition, the distance separating India from Africa from China is still very significant. The future Indian approach to Africa deserves some fine-tuning in terms of investment and subsidized loans. The fact India is a democracy, not subject to the dictates of Western or Eastern powers, will be a great asset that will please the African countries so worn out by external interference and lessons.
Keyword: India-Sub-Saharan Africa-TradeInvestmentDemocracy-China
Rui Alexandre Verde*