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By:

Dr. V.L. Dharurkar

12 February 2025 at 8:23:17 pm

The New India-Africa Compact

India’s engagement with Africa is entering a phase in which historical solidarity must increasingly be matched by economic substance. Shared experiences of colonialism and national liberation have long shaped relations between India and African countries. Mahatma Gandhi, whose political journey in South Africa helped shape his philosophy of non-violent resistance, remains an important symbol of this common history. Yet the future of the relationship will depend less on its moral inheritance...

The New India-Africa Compact

India’s engagement with Africa is entering a phase in which historical solidarity must increasingly be matched by economic substance. Shared experiences of colonialism and national liberation have long shaped relations between India and African countries. Mahatma Gandhi, whose political journey in South Africa helped shape his philosophy of non-violent resistance, remains an important symbol of this common history. Yet the future of the relationship will depend less on its moral inheritance than on its ability to deliver tangible benefits to both sides. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s five-day visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, from October 6 to 10, sought to advance precisely this transition. Its agenda encompassed trade, agriculture, defence, education, renewable energy, healthcare and digital infrastructure, while reinforcing India’s ambition to give the Global South a stronger voice in international affairs. The tour highlighted the breadth of India’s African engagement. New Delhi is seeking to build partnerships that extend beyond diplomatic declarations to encompass technology, investment, institutional cooperation and practical development. Beyond Historical Ties India’s relations with African countries rest on a substantial reservoir of goodwill. Its own freedom struggle, Gandhi’s legacy and the subsequent solidarity of developing countries have helped establish a political affinity that remains valuable. But historical connections alone cannot sustain a contemporary strategic partnership. African economies are pursuing industrialisation, infrastructure development, agricultural modernisation and greater technological capacity. India, meanwhile, is looking for markets, investment opportunities, reliable partners and wider support for reforming global institutions. These interests offer a basis for cooperation, provided that partnerships are designed around African priorities rather than merely India’s geopolitical ambitions. In Ghana, discussions focused on strengthening the comprehensive partnership established between the two countries in 2025. Jaishankar’s meetings with President John Mahama and other Ghanaian leaders provided an opportunity to explore areas in which bilateral cooperation could be expanded. Agriculture and academic collaboration featured prominently, with agreements intended to deepen research and institutional links. India’s agricultural research capabilities could prove useful to Ghana as it seeks to improve productivity, adapt cropping patterns to changing climatic conditions and strengthen food security. Such cooperation would be most effective if it moved beyond the exchange of expertise to encompass field-level research, technology transfer and training. Climate change is placing growing pressure on agricultural systems across the developing world. India and Ghana could benefit from sharing practical approaches to water management, resilient crops and sustainable farming. Ghana’s interest in closer engagement with the BRICS grouping also fits into the wider diplomatic context. For India, which has championed a greater role for developing countries in global governance, stronger African participation in emerging international platforms could broaden the coalition pressing for institutional reform. The significance of this engagement, however, will ultimately depend on concrete commitments and sustained cooperation. Trade and Investment Côte d’Ivoire, the second stop, offered a different but complementary set of opportunities. Jaishankar’s discussions with Foreign Minister Nialé Kaba centred on expanding bilateral trade, encouraging investment and exploring joint ventures. The ambition to increase trade towards $1.5 billion, as indicated in the account of the visit, points to the economic potential of the relationship. But trade targets are only a starting point. Particular promise lies in local production and processing. Instead of relying exclusively on the exchange of finished goods, Indian and Ivorian businesses could explore partnerships that create value within Côte d’Ivoire, generate employment and develop industrial capabilities. Ethiopia, the final destination, carries considerable diplomatic and strategic importance. Its position in the Horn of Africa and its role as host to the African Union make it a natural partner for India’s broader continental engagement. India’s experience in digital public infrastructure could be particularly relevant to Ethiopia’s development priorities. Cooperation in artificial intelligence, meanwhile, offers scope for training, research and the application of technology to public services. The proposed expansion of specialised training for Ethiopian officials, including in forensic science, media, governance and the development of women and children, could strengthen institutional capabilities. Defence and security cooperation also remain important, given the wider regional environment. Yet the Global South cannot become a meaningful force merely through declarations of shared identity. India must therefore demonstrate that its partnerships deliver measurable gains. India and Africa possess a formidable foundation of historical trust and contemporary common interests. The task now is to turn that foundation into a partnership of practical cooperation, mutual economic benefit and greater influence in a changing world. (The writer is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)

Clever seat selection helped BJP to secure historic win

Writer: Ruddhi Phadke
Ruddhi Phadke
Nov 29, 2024
2 min read

The party won 65 seats against Congress, 37 against NCP (SP) and 29 against Shiv Sena (UBT)

Clever seat selection

Mumbai: The BJP’s strategic seat sharing with the allies has proved beneficial for the party. An analysis of the Assembly election results show that the BJP has scored over its main rival, the Congress, in a big way because of the direct fights.


The analysis shows that BJP defeated all three constituents of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) – Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) – in the direct fights. This is attributed as one of the reasons for the BJP’s historic poll success.


The BJP contested 147 out of 288 seats. In 76 constituencies, it faced Congress. BJP secured victory in 65 seats and lost only 11 seats, making it a whopping 86 per cent of the total direct fights. This was followed by an even stronger performance against NCP (SP). Of the total 39 fights with Sharad Pawar’s party, BJP captured 37 seats making it 95 per cent of the total fights with NCP (SP). BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) were head-to-head in 32 constituencies, of which BJP emerged victorious in 29 seats, making this 91 per cent of the total direct contests.


According to a BJP strategist the party had bargained hard with its allies, Shiv Sena and NCP to get the desired constituencies in the seat sharing formula. “We had studied to potential candidates of the MVA. That helped us in choosing the seats where we can register comfortable victories,” the strategist said.


BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty attributed the success to all the party workers who worked hard to boost development, infrastructure in the state. He gave credit to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his contribution to the party’s success.


Shetty pointed out that in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray had stalled all the “novel” and “legendary” projects that Fadnavis had started when he had taken over as CM, making it very easy for the people of Maharashtra to strike a comparison between both the leaders and the potential they had for serving the people. “Devendra Fadnavis gave up his post very easily for the larger good. There are many such examples like Venkaiah Naidu who was BJP National President and later worked as the Vice President of India because that was the need of the hour. We seldom care about our posts,” Shetty told The Perfect Voice.


Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe refused to call the election results as the people’s mandate. “This is not at all a Janata mandate. Despite Maharashtra struggling with so many basic social issues, how can BJP acquire such a huge mandate is the question. If a student copies and fails with just passing marks, it can go unnoticed, but if a student copies and bags the number one position, something is fishy. Why is the BJP scared of ballot papers?” he said.

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