TEc "Catching up" - India-Africa courtship

India's African credentials date back to many centuries, indeed to the days when Indian, African and Arab Kingdoms traded along Africa's east coastline. Long before the arrival of Europeans to the Indian Ocean.
Later, history would place them on the same side notably in South Africa as a result of objective State-sponsored social discrimination and shared political oppression. To different degrees, it must be said.

As a sovereign State independent India stood up for African emancipation from colonial rule.
It is fair to say that the country did its best - despite severe home constraints as pointed out by The Economist - to promote African rule which was finally achieved across the Continent since the nineties.

India's economic reforms and liberalization enacted in the early nineties produced an upbeat nation posting hefty growth rates.
Going forward a new rapport is called for that takes into account mutual social, economic and material gain.
India can deliver on multiple fields at competitive cost to suit needs felt across Africa. Many companies are already doing what they know best to engage with African markets profitably, boosting still rather meager two-way trade figures.

India's African push need not be seen as a contest with China or indeed any other country or trading bloc.
Africa's interest - that of most of its individual countries - lies squarely with seeking to advance trade ties with the wide world. From a negotiating position that identifies and promotes every fast-track to social, economic and infra-structural development.

India, on the other hand, has shown the world that an overpopulated poor country has turned itself into a fast rising star able to deliver. On its own merits and strengths.
Economic prospects there have never been as bright.
That necessarily spells an ever increasing profile, ambition and reach over the coming decades.