Answer: 

Introduction:

India’s relations with Africa have been traditionally strong, dating back to the days of India’s independence movement. With Africa’s increasing importance as a strategic partner, India has been keen to expand its presence and influence in the continent, including in the natural resource-rich areas.

Body:

Economic space of rising natural resource-rich Africa:

Strategic partnership:

• India views Africa as a strategic partner and has been engaging with the continent on multiple fronts, including economic, political, and social.
• India has been providing technical and financial assistance to African countries, with a focus on infrastructure development, capacity building, and human resource development.

Natural resources:

• Africa is rich in natural resources, including minerals, oil, and gas. India, as a rapidly growing economy, needs access to these resources to fuel its own growth.
• India has been investing in the exploration and development of natural resources in Africa.

Trade and investment:

• India is Africa’s third-largest trading partner, and bilateral trade has been increasing steadily.
• India has been investing in various sectors in Africa, including agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and energy.

Cooperation on regional and global issues:

• India and Africa have been cooperating on various regional and global issues, including climate change, peace and security, and UN reforms.
• India has been supporting African countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development and has been advocating for a greater role for Africa in global governance.

People-to-people contacts:

• India has been promoting people-to-people contacts with Africa, including through scholarships and training programs.
• This has helped in building goodwill and strengthening ties between India and Africa.

Conclusion:

India’s engagement with Africa is expected to continue to deepen as it seeks to leverage the continent’s vast natural resources and explore new opportunities for economic growth and development. Through partnerships and investments, India hopes to create a win-win situation for both sides, while also promoting regional stability and cooperation.