SINO-INDIAN COMPETITION IN AFRICA

O. Bordilovska; V. Ugwu

doi:10.15407/orientw2018.01.005

SINO-INDIAN COMPETITION IN AFRICA

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https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2018.01.005

O. Bordilovska

The Institute of International Relations, Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University

V. Ugwu

The Institute of International Relations, Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University

Abstract

African countries’ development and the future of the continent has been associated, for the last decade especially, with the involvement of eminent international actors, not only Western, but also the emerging Asian powers, China and India. Currently, this trend is understood mainly as South-South cooperation, but it raises a lot of voices for blaming China as a new colonialist power eager to explore natural resources of African countries. Contrary to this accusations, Indian conduct in African continent got much more favorable understanding, as it is based on common past and destiny and focused on the education and technological development mostly. At the same time, both China and India, as so called emerging powers, not only need African energy resources for their own further rise, they are also searching for the political support of African countries and that is the reason why Chinese and Indian strategies are extremely “Africa-oriented” on the beginning of the 21st century. Also, it should be noticed, that India was late in her appearance in Africa, while China provided deep interest and invested hugely a decade before, since 2006. By contrasting Sino-African with Indo-African relations, this paper seeks to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Beijing’s involvement in Africa, to go beyond simplistic assumptions and to carve out differences and similarities. At the same time, Indian strategic behavior is estimated as a complex one, with some preferences and specific dimensions. Based on this analysis, the paper eventually assesses perspectives of cooperation – prospects that are often overlooked when focusing only on areas of competition in both countries’ policies towards Africa. The paper goes further to explain both India and China’s motives in their engagement with Africa, strategies employed to achieve these motives and why China occupies the enviable position of the most influential economic player in the continent.

How to Cite

Bordilovska, O., & Ugwu, V. (2018). SINO-INDIAN COMPETITION IN AFRICA. The World of the Orient, (1 (98), 5-17. https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2018.01.005

Article views: 77 | PDF Downloads: 50

Keywords

Africa, Chinese investments, development, Indian technology projects, Indian-Chinese rivalry, resources

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