India’s Expanding Footprint In Africa: Naval Diplomacy And Maritime Engagement – Analysis

India and Africa share a deeply rooted historical connection, forged through their mutual struggles against colonialism and a shared vision for independence. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who began his activism in South Africa, and African luminaries like Julius Nyerere highlighted the importance of solidarity between the two regions. This bond laid the groundwork for India’s long-standing partnership with Africa, spanning political, economic, and cultural dimensions.

In the modern era, this relationship has evolved into one of shared aspirations for a multipolar world order. India’s consistent advocacy for African representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and its successful push to include the African Union in the G-20 during its presidency in 2023 exemplifies this commitment. These achievements highlight India’s role as a champion of the Global South and its desire to elevate Africa’s voice in global governance structures.

India’s Naval Strategy and Its Role in Africa

The Indian Navy plays a central role in India’s engagement with Africa, acting as a critical tool of the country’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy. This policy emphasises India’s commitment to ensuring maritime security, promoting economic growth, and fostering stability across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

In 2024, the Indian Navy significantly expanded its footprint in Africa. Ships like INS Sunayna, INS Talwar, and INS Gharial conducted extensive deployments, showcasing India’s maritime capabilities and strengthening partnerships with African nations. These engagements included professional exchanges with African navies, joint exercises to improve interoperability, and the transfer of naval technology, such as Fast Interceptor Crafts to Mozambique, to bolster regional security.

Moreover, India’s support for regional Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) has been instrumental in empowering African nations. Through the establishment of radar networks in Mauritius and Seychelles, India has enhanced the capacity of these countries to monitor and secure their maritime zones.

The Role of the Indian Navy in Maritime Security

Maritime security is a cornerstone of India’s African strategy, with the Indian Navy addressing key challenges such as piracy and armed robbery at sea. The Gulf of Guinea, a notorious hotspot for maritime crime, has been a focal point of these efforts. Indian naval patrols in the region have provided critical security for international shipping lanes and ensured the safety of vital trade routes.

In addition to counter-piracy operations, the Indian Navy has conducted joint surveillance missions with African navies, offering expertise in managing large maritime zones. Training programs for African naval officers have further strengthened regional capacity, focusing on areas such as anti-piracy, search and rescue (SAR) operations, and maritime law enforcement.

These initiatives demonstrate India’s commitment to serving as a net-security provider in the Indian Ocean and a preferred partner for African nations seeking to safeguard their maritime interests.

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief: India’s Soft Power in Action

The Indian Navy’s ability to deliver swift and effective humanitarian assistance has cemented India’s reputation as a reliable partner in Africa. A recent example is the response to Cyclone Hidaya in Kenya in 2024. The devastating floods caused by the cyclone left thousands displaced and in urgent need of aid. INS Sumedha, initially deployed for anti-piracy operations off Somalia, was redirected to deliver food, medical supplies, and other relief materials to affected regions.

Such missions highlight the versatility and responsiveness of the Indian Navy. Beyond immediate relief, these efforts build long-term goodwill, positioning India as a humane and dependable partner for African nations in times of crisis.

The Geopolitical Context of India’s Engagement with Africa

Africa’s growing geopolitical significance makes it a strategic priority for global powers, and India is no exception. The continent’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, and rapidly expanding markets offer immense opportunities for economic and strategic partnerships. India has leveraged these opportunities by increasing its investments in Africa, which averaged $26.39 billion annually between 2018 and 2022, making India one of the continent’s top investors.

However, India faces competition from other global powers, particularly China. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has established a dominant presence in Africa, building infrastructure, securing natural resources, and hosting regular high-level summits with African leaders. While India’s approach emphasises sustainability and local empowerment, its limited resources and administrative constraints have often hindered its ability to match China’s scale and speed of engagement.

Challenges in Strengthening India-Africa Relations

Despite the progress made, several challenges impede the realisation of the full potential of India-Africa relations. One of the most significant issues is the long delay in hosting the India-Africa Forum Summit, last held in 2015. Although logistical challenges like the Ebola outbreak in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to this delay, the absence of this flagship event has created a perception that Africa is not a priority for New Delhi.

Additionally, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), despite receiving consistent budget increases, remains understaffed and overstretched. With its focus divided among South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and partnerships with Western powers, the MEA often struggles to allocate sufficient resources to Africa. This lack of capacity limits India’s ability to launch new initiatives, deliver on existing commitments, and sustain high-level political engagement with African nations.

The Way Forward: Leveraging Naval Diplomacy

India’s naval diplomacy offers a unique opportunity to address these challenges and deepen its engagement with Africa. By building on the successes of the SAGAR policy, India can pursue several key strategies:

Expanding Naval Cooperation: Increasing the frequency and scope of joint exercises with African navies will enhance interoperability and trust. This could include trilateral and multilateral exercises involving other regional partners.
Enhancing Capacity Building: Providing advanced training and technology transfers to African naval forces can strengthen their ability to tackle maritime threats independently.
Reinvigorating Political Engagement: Hosting the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, accompanied by substantive deliverables, would signal a renewed commitment to the partnership. High-level visits by Indian leaders to African countries would further reinforce this message.

Additionally, India can leverage its private sector to complement government-led initiatives. Indian companies, particularly in technology, healthcare, and renewable energy, have shown significant interest in Africa, offering a pathway to sustainable development and economic growth.

A Brave New World

India’s relationship with Africa is a testament to its vision of a multipolar world where partnerships are built on mutual respect and shared aspirations. The Indian Navy, as a cornerstone of this engagement, exemplifies India’s commitment to fostering security, stability, and prosperity across the continent. By addressing capacity constraints, enhancing diplomatic efforts, and leveraging its naval strengths, India can transform its aspirations for Africa into tangible outcomes, ensuring that this partnership becomes a defining feature of its global strategy in the years to come.