India plans a shift in its relations with Africa focusing on the two-fold plank of security and growth through its SAGAR initiative. SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region.
This enhanced partnership with African countries will ride on the India–Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) to be held every two years.
The IADD will explore areas of convergence between India and Africa along with building on existing partnerships between the two.
By including SAGAR as the guiding principle with African nations, India has made it clear that it is looking beyond defence to include development of the partner countries in Africa.
Officers from India and African countries at the military exercises in 2019 (Photo: Ministry of Defence)
SAGAR had been first enunciated in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016 during his visit to Mauritius. Modi had stressed upon promoting cooperation among the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries with the objective of creating a stable and peaceful environment.
SAGAR includes a mix of economic development along with naval security and maritime cooperation between the IOR nations. For the smaller island nations in the Indian Ocean it also means a security umbrella against the impacts of climate change.
The first IADD was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in February 2020. It was held alongside the DefExpo on 06 February 2020, was jointly organised by the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs.
According to the Ministry of Defence: "India proposes to institutionalise the IADD during successive DefExpos to be held once every two years. Institutionalisation of the India Africa Defence Dialogue will help building on the existing partnerships between African countries & India and to explore new areas of convergence for mutual engagements including areas like capacity building, training, cyber security, maritime security and counter terrorism".
The next IADD is planned for March 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will host his African counterparts under the theme – India–Africa: Adopting Strategy for Synergizing and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation.
Under this outreach to Africa, India had organised military exercises with 17 nations in 2019. The drills were held under "… Humanitarian Mine Assistance and Peace Keeping Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Peace Keeping Operations”.
The Defence Ministry added that India and Africa share a historical relationship. Their relations are based on the principles of SAGAR Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means 'the world is one family'.
The Defence Ministry has identified the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) as its knowledge partner for this initiative.
