Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) The rise of emerging Asian powers like India and China has spurred the development of Africa and provided the continent an alternative to western powers, experts and diplomats said at a seminar here.

“It’s a two-way process,? said K. Mathews, professor of political science and international relations at Addis Ababa University while talking about the enhanced engagement of China and India in Africa.

“The involvement has intensified Africa’s development process. Africa’s exports have increased a lot. There have been an increase in commodity prices,? he said at a seminar organized by Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on the African Perspective on India and China.

“And most importantly Africa can learn a lot from developing countries like India,? he said.

An Ethiopian diplomat rejected the myths of competition and rivalry between India and China in Africa and underlined that the two rising Asian powers complemented each other and have contributed to the development of Africa.

“Neocolonialism is a scenario being created by the western media which the world is following. Whereas in reality India and China are working in our interest?” said Metasebia Tadesse, minister counsellor at the Ethiopian embassy.

Africa’s relations with India and China have been strengthening over the years and both the regions have a lot of investment in the continent, he said.

“Western countries are spreading the rumours that India can colonize East Africa, whereas India and Africa have people to people relations,” he said.

Underlining unique features of India’s engagement with Africa, ICWA director general Sudhir T. Devare said that though India and China both have a significant role in Africa, India’s role is different.

“India and Africa share a bond since time immemorial whereas China has been a late entrant to Africa. Indian investments have been there in areas like capacity building, trade and education which is completely different from Chinese investment,” he said.

India’s intensified engagement in Africa has been led by private sector, and focuses on capacity building and human resource development. China’s engagement, critics say, is focused on extractive resources and is driven by the powerful state.

China’s bilateral trade with Africa (over $110 billion) is estimated to be nearly three times than that of India’s bilateral trade with Africa (around $45 billion).

Experts agreed that there was competition between India and China for Africa’s resources and markets, but they downplayed the prospects of rivalry.

“I will go with what Indian Prime Minister says, both India and China are competing in Africa and there has been no threat,” said Mathews.

The Ethiopian diplomat envisaged a relationship of complementarity between India and China in Africa and stressed that both are helping spur the development of the continent.

“Partnership of India and China is a blessing for Africa,” he said.