India bids to be Africa's 'new best friend'

CNN ^

[MBT ARJUN]

CNN -- While China has been able to use its considerable economic clout to forge strong ties with Africa, experts say India is hoping that a mix of soft power and business expertise can win it friends and customers on the continent. Over the last few years, Beijing has struck deal after deal with African countries, often building extensive infrastructure projects and providing loans in exchange for access to natural resources, trade opportunities and expansion into new markets. Lacking China's deep pockets, analysts say India has often struggled to compete directly with Beijing, especially for natural resources such as oil and gas. As a result, New Delhi has embarked on a charm offensive as it bids to stay relevant on the resource-rich continent. Indian officials are keen to remind African leaders of their common past of anti-colonization struggles as well as offer India's expertise in areas such as information technology and human resources. It's all seen as part of India's effort to make itself an attractive partner, both politically and economically. "India is trying to position itself as an important geopolitical player in Africa," says Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the privately funded Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. "At the same time, it wants to be seen in Africa as a country that has the best interests of Africa at heart and is willing to play a more constructive and forward-looking role in Africa than China," he adds. Although China's engagement with Africa has brought benefits to the continent, such as improved infrastructure, China has been accused by some of resource plundering, poor labor practices and of supporting governments with poor human-rights records. Critics say Beijing has worked with dictatorships in countries such as Zimbabwe and Sudan. Read More:http://edition.cnn.com/2011/BUSINESS/08/25/india.charm.africa.china/

[ravager]

India has a “look east” ploicy and a look at Africa policy. While totally skipping the whole Muslims shit-hole from Pakistan to Egypt. Nice policy.

[vpintheak]

They can have it. We’ve pee’d away enough money away to dictators and war-lords over there.

[AfricanChristian]

India needs to get some things right before setting a grand vision for Africa.

1. Ensure that the Indian bureaucracy is up to the task.
2. Sensitize Indian companies on the need to ensure that health and safety standards are adhered to and that there is a need to pay staff a living wage (you might not believe it, but some Africans prefer working for the Chinese than working for certain Indian companies).

[Cronos]

well, on the latter point, I believe you, AC, as a person on the ground.