Assessing Africa-India Relations, from the 15^th-21^st Century

Abstract

This study assesses the relationship between Africa and India from the 15^th to the 21^st century. The main objective here demonstrates that the basis of their relationship was commerce, which started before Europeans showed up on either continent or it is the glue that continues to bind them. The study examines the cultural, economic, and political relations that had evolved between the African continent and the Indian sub-continent. The study showed that Africa and India have had extensive and multi-pronged relationships over the centuries based on economic diplomacy very early on. Early relationship provided Africa and India prosperity based on geographical proximity, trade, financial and cultural affinity. The Indian Ocean highways, the sailor’s navigational expertise help fudged this early relationship. African and India shared a common experience of European colonialism. Both worked in tandem in the struggles against colonialism. India’s anti-colonial leader and head of Indian National Congress (INC) in 1894, Mahatma Gandhi started his struggles in South Africa. Following its independence in 1948, India advocated for the decolonization of Africa at all relevant international forums. It pioneered the interest of developing African nations through the Group of 77 formed at the Bandung Declaration of 1955. Both Africa and India formed the Non-Align Movement (NAM) whereby India provided both political and ideological impact on Africa during the years of liberation of Africa. In 2008, India and Africa formed the South-South cooperation. This study shows that Indians were assimilated into various East African countries. Africa is home to a large population of Indians in countries such as Mauritius, Kenya, and South Africa, etc. To examine these issues and developments, the study used content analysis of existing written sources to interrogate Africa-India relations.