South African Institute of International Affairs (Johannesburg)
31 March 2008
press release
Johannesburg — Indian traders once sold glass beads to an eager African market, now its expertise centers on science and technology. China's inroads into Africa are well known, India's approach has been much quieter. The India-Africa Forum meets for the first time in New Delhi at the India-Africa Summit from 4-8 April 2008, offering a fresh insight into this modern-day scramble for Africa.
The India-Africa Summit is aimed at cementing existing ties and promoting future areas for cooperation and development strategies. The Summit will address issues pertaining to the agricultural sector, trade, industry and investment, peace and security, the promotion of good governance and civil society, and information and communication technology (ICT). The key outcomes of the India-Africa Summit will be the adoption of the Delhi Declaration and Action Plan.
Africa will be represented by the current Chairperson of the African Union (AU), the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the Chairpersons of the eight recognised Regional Economic Communities (REC's), the Chairpersons of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSIGC) and the five African NEPAD initiating countries. Therefore, the Heads of State of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia will all be at the Summit. They will be joined by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the President of the AU (Tanzania) and the Secretaries General of the eight RECs.
The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), represented by the National Director, Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Director of Studies, Neuma Grobbelaar, and Corporate Researcher, Leaza Kolkenbeck-Ruh, will be in New Delhi from 1-5 April 2008 participating in an International Conference on the Africa-India Partnership in the 21st Century hosted by the Indian Council on World Affairs, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and the African Studies Association of India.
SAIIA has also brought out a special edition of its journal, the South African Journal of International Affairs, looking at 'India in Africa' and the challenges and opportunities presented by this engagement.
India's post-colonial democracy may provide lessons for Africa. It also offers important experience in agricultural expansion, clean water management, dealing with growing climate change threats and poverty reduction. However, India's growing interest in Africa's resources may challenge the traditional ties between India and Africa. The India-Africa Summit hopes to create a closer partnership between India and Africa that will help them to address common goalsand overcome the challenges they face.
For further information, please contact the South African Institute of International Affairs on +27 (0) 11 339 2021 or go to www.saiia.org.za.
Should you wish to order a copy of the South African Journal of International Affairs. Special Edition: India in Africa. v14.2 Winter/Spring. 2007, please contact Nadia Pisanti on +27 (0) 11 339 2021 or email her on Nadia.Pisanti@wits.ac.za
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