Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'PM’s diplomatic visit to Africa' that was published in Newsband

PM’s diplomatic visit to Africa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew a link between Indian and South African cultures during his four-nation visit to Africa. He spoke about the historical links between India and African nations with a unique warmth. He outlined his focus areas: energy, food and maritime security. He stopped at Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

India has been slow to upgrade ties with Africa and we have to be careful of China’s formidable presence in the continent. China’s current hold in trade and investment in Africa is three times India’s, and South Africa, for instance, has a key role in promoting the Maritime Silk Route programme as part of the One Belt One Road initiative. China may be bigger in Africa but India is senior. The cultural links and presence of India is stronger. It is time it should be leveraged. Private players can do it best with a little help from Indian government.

Africa is a continent of 54 countries, and each has diverse reasons to improve ties with India — from sharing low-cost technologies and pharmaceuticals, building on the Solar Alliance and renewable energies, growing markets for each other’s goods and trade connectivity.

Modi’s critics say that he was diplomatic enough to avoid mentioning his concern over racism in India that students and others from Africa often face. But one way Modi was right. You do not wash your dirty laundry in public. But you wear your best clothes when you are being watched. The same goes for the content of the speech. The racial matters would be discussed with the leaders of the African states. Besides, the speech was for Indian diaspora in Africa. What is the relevance of bringing racial matters in India against Africans at that event? It is best to deal with it internally and not give it undue attention in Africa, lest it becomes a talking point there and put Indians there at risk.

It can be a part of the address of the PM when African dignitaries are being hosted in India so that it reaches the Indian people and the African leaders. That is the right audience for it. Nothing will be achieved by giving it the spotlight in Africa.

In addition to racism, the major issue between India and South African nations is the crimes being committed by the people from those countries who come into India for studies or business and get involved in drug trafficking and Internet fraud of bogus lottery and other crimes. By overstaying beyond Visa period they are causing big loss to innocent people from South India and being headache to police.

Thus Prime Minister’s visit to African countries is highly diplomatic during which he emphasised the trade connectivity with African nations and the assurance for eliminating racism.