SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

India, a 'Rising Power' and Africa: Challenges

Sumit Roy

Abstract

India, along with China, is a major ‘Rising Power’ which is destined to reshape regional and global destinies in the frame of  globalisation. This impinges on the somewhat neglected and emotive controversies over the ties between India and Africa and their pursuit of “mutual interests.”  Against this backdrop this seminar aims to unfold the historical and contemporary political economy of  the relationship and the challenges this poses-anxieties, uncertainties, and opportunities. The core message is that the growing ties between India and Africa have been underpinned by  trade and investment, and increasingly by aid, and galvanized by a shift in emphasis in  diplomacy from politics to economic development. This has major implications for inducing structural change in Africa and, moreover, invades the territory of politics and culture. This should be seen as a facet of Africa’s complex interplay with nations and institutions within and beyond its borders. Ultimately, however, African nations, and above all its people, have to harness their own strengths to pursue their vision of development.

Speaker Biography

Dr Sumit Roy is Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the School of International Relations and Strategic Studies, Jadavpur  University, Kolkata, India. His work  has  centred on  globalisation and India and China and their ties with developed and developing nations. He has undertaken research and teaching on international political economy at  the London School of Economics, City University, the University of  Delhi and the Ahmadu Bello University (Nigeria).He has also served as an advisor to the ILO, Unctad, and the UN Economic Commission, Ethiopia and contributes to the BBC World Service. His publications span Asia and Africa: Globalisation and Developing Nations,Sage, Agriculture and Technology in Developing Countries:India and Nigeria,Sage and Economic Progress and Prospects in the Third World:Lessons of Development Experience Since 1945 (with Sir H.W.Singer), Edward Elgar.