From Overseas Press

India catching up with China

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-06-13 16:03

Despite its elephantine weight, India has long displayed mouse-like diplomatic clout. But now, it is trying harder to get noticed, by expanding into the African continent, according to an article published by the Economist magazine on May 26.

India's diplomacy has been historically hampered by widespread poverty at home and by its sometimes rocky relationships with neighbors Pakistan and China, the article says, "even today, its foreign service remains woefully understaffed: both New Zealand and Singapore have more serving diplomats. "

However, as things stand, India's breakneck economic growth and its ever expanding population requires "eyes to be raised to distant horizons". As the worlds' forth-largest oil consumer, which will import almost all of its oil in 15 years' time, India is now increasingly turning to Central Asia and particularly Africa, in the hope of diversifying its oil supply away from the Middle East.

In fact, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh spent a whole week in Africa at the end of May, along with hordes of Indian ministers and businessmen. More strikingly, the article says, Mr Singh promised "$5 billion of loans on easy terms over the next three years for Africans willing to trade with India," with another $1 billion poured in education, railways and peacekeeping, a steep rise from last year's $25m.

But Mr Singh wants something in return. Apart from oil, India also craves for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. To achieve this, Africa's backing is essential. Besides, minerals and other raw materials also play a significant part. "India's large jewelry industry gobbles up South African diamonds and gold. Mozambique’s coal fuels power stations. India wants uranium from Malawi and Niger for nuclear power," according to the article.

While China for now is exerting more influence in Africa, India's African forays may well prove to be "at least as rewarding as China's," the article asserts, since "accustomed already to dealing with hundreds of millions of poor Indian consumers, they know what to expect in Africa." As India is experiencing the most rapid economic growth in decades, Indian companies are set to prosper. "All the more reason, then, for India’s diplomats to look a good deal keener, too."