Opinion: India’s strategic shift in Africa and the Global South
By engaging with key African nations, India can lead the Global South and also counter China’s debt-driven influence in the region
By Sanjay Turi
In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 23, India launched Operation Sindoor and gave a befitting reply to Pakistan, sending a strong message to the world about its zero tolerance for terrorism. Subsequently, India also launched a diplomatic drive globally, giving special focus on the Global South. Ahead of the BRICS’ scheduled meeting in Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia was part of India’s diplomatic efforts to combat terrorism.
Although oil trading began in the late 19th century and started dominating the global trade in the mid-20th century, its influence is now on a declining trend. The future of international trade is now expected to be shaped by rare earth minerals. Countries from the Global South hold a significantly large reserve of both light and heavy rare earth minerals such as uranium, lithium, cobalt, manganese, dysprosium, and terbium (widely used for making permanent magnets for electric vehicles).
Vision 2047
In light of Vision 2047, India’s aspiration to transition rapidly to sustainable development approaches, such as green energy initiatives and the manufacturing of electric vehicles, requires access to these critical resources. Therefore, Modi’s visit to these countries ahead of his participation in the BRICS meeting was undeniably a step towards achieving the crucial goals of Viksit Bharat.
Compared to other interior countries in the region, Ghana (located in the Gulf of Guinea) and Namibia, situated on the Atlantic coast, are strategically more important, giving India geopolitical access to engage with other African countries where China is already strengthening its presence. While Rwanda is expected to join the UPI (Unified Payment Interface) digital network, Namibia has become the first country in the region to embrace the UPI, signalling India’s growing digital footprint in Africa.
Therefore, the growing engagement in Ghana and Namibia will position India to counter China’s deep presence in Nigeria and Angola, potentially providing New Delhi with a gateway to landlocked countries of central Africa.
Historical Connection
Ghana, with a large and vibrant Indian diaspora, shares a strong historical connection with India since its very independence. Strategically located in Western Africa, Ghana is an important nation in the Gulf of Guinea and offers India a strategic opening to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is considered a regional entity to govern the West African economic community. Therefore, for India, engaging with Ghana means engaging with ECOWAS. West Africa has a vibrant stock of natural resources, and Ghana has a significant portion of these mineral resources. The area where Ghana is located is known for very severe maritime economic piracy.
Ghana and Namibia are emerging as strategic trading partners and vital gateways to landlocked Central Africa, reinforcing India’s expanding influence on the continent
India, being a strong naval power in the Indian Ocean, showcasing the prominence of the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, will potentially work in collaboration with West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, helping them fight piracy in the region. Ghana, also an active member of the India-Africa Forum Summit, can serve as a launchpad for India to engage with the countries in the Global South.
A Tectonic Shift
Ghana’s previous engagements with China have seen limited benefits. Instead, China developed its infrastructure in the country in such a way that it benefitted only Beijing. Taking advantage of China’s exploitative policies in Ghana, India has taken a people-centric approach. The Indian government aims to connect with ordinary Ghanaians through welfare initiatives, such as Feed Ghana and skill development programmes for the youth in the country.
Ghana is the largest producer of gold in the region, while India is the world’s largest gold consumer. This contrast clearly shows how important and strong the bilateral relations can become going forward. Establishing a direct gold supply chain will help India manage gold inflation. India, with its rich socio-religious and ethnic diversity, is one of the biggest hubs for many religions and cultural functions, where the demand for gold is throughout the year.
Ghana is also estimated to possess over 960 million tonnes of bauxite reserves, which are used as an essential component in construction, aerospace, defence, electric vehicle manufacturing, among other industries. Bauxite is also used in the production of manganese and steel. With both countries having signed a trade agreement on bauxite, India stands to benefit across multiple industrial sectors – including its Semiconductor Mission.
Lithium Reserves
Additionally, Ghana has significant lithium reserves, and its import will help India excel in battery manufacturing. The strategic partnership will help New Delhi reduce its dependence on Australia and Latin America. Ghana has also requested that India conduct an ISRO-backed survey to explore other hidden mineral resources, primarily lithium, in the country.
In return, India has promised to popularise Ghana’s lithium reserves in the Global South region. This cooperation could deepen India’s influence in West African nations sympathetic to Ghana, where China is gradually expanding its wings.
India has also established a critical mineral working group under the India-Ghana strategic mineral partnership agreement, through which New Delhi, without any conditionality or coercion, will help Ghana in exploration. Thus, Ghana and Namibia are emerging not only as strategic trading partners of India but also as an important gateway to landlocked central African countries in the region.
Considering China’s extensive penetration in the region, the Indian government must prioritise engaging with strategically located countries in the region using diplomacy, trade and technology cooperation to lead the Global South and counter China’s debt-driven influence in the region.
(The author is Doctoral Candidate, Centre for West Asian Studies [CWAS], School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
