Africa is critical to India's security, especially the Horn of Africa region, due to its proximity to India. The threats of radicalism, piracy and organized crime emerge from this region. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayAfrica can help us diversify our energy sources, which is one of the stated objectives of our integrated energy policy. Africa also contains a rich reservoir of valuable minerals, metals including gold and diamonds Africa offers a space for Indian investments Africa has ample agricultural land which can contribute to India's food security. India is looking to lease land in Africa to overcome the land deficit we face in terms of arable land. Geopolitical support from African countries is important to India's goal of gaining a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. Africa provides a space to showcase both India's soft and tough sides. power India has been actively involved in the peace and stability of African countries through United Nations peacekeeping operations. India is involved in capacity building of African countries. Africa is also the largest beneficiary of India's ITEC programme. Existing scholarly works Emma Mawdsley and Gerard McCann (2011). “Changing geographies of power” In global geopolitics, India needs to effectively engage with all countries of the world for multi-pronged engagement. Africa as a dark continent is emerging as a global theater for all major powers for resources and power plays. However, India has its task cut out by historical ties. Amanda Lucey, Mark Schoeman and Catherine Grant Makokera (2015). “India-Africa Relations: The Role of the Private Sector” India is becoming an increasingly important economic partner for African countries. Its ties with Africa can be traced back to a strong and shared history based on the principles of South-South cooperation, people-to-people connections and common development challenges. The third India-Africa Forum summit, which will take place in October 2015, will further strengthen India-Africa ties. Isabel Hofmeyr (2011). “South Africa and India: shaping the Global South” South Africa's future is increasingly linked to that of India. Although trade and investment between the two countries is intensifying, they share long-standing historical ties and have much in common: apart from cricket, colonialism and Gandhi, both countries are important players in the Global South. As India emerges as a major economic power, the need to understand these linkages becomes increasingly pressing. Sharkdam Wapmuk (2013). “Nigeria-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Relations” This chapter examines trade relations between India and African countries as a resource for accelerating development cooperation in the context of globalization. It will seek to examine the strength and uniqueness of the historical foundation of the current Indo-Africa partnership in the twenty-first century. Ajay Kumar Dubey (2014). “India-Africa Relations: Historical Goodwill and Vision for the Future” India and Africa have shared a multidimensional relationship since ancient times. Geographic proximity and an easily navigable Indian Ocean have brought the inhabitants of the two regions closer together. During the colonial period, immediately after the conquest of Africa and the restructuring of the African economy, the free and voluntary relations of the past gave way to colonial needs and preferences. Relations between India and sovereign statesof Africa were formally established when both sides gained independence. Current situation (2010-present) The declaration placed development cooperation at the heart of the India-Africa partnership, with India unveiling $10 billion in credit lines for a range of development projects over the next five years and promising a $600 million grant. This grant includes a $100 million India-Africa Development Fund and a $10 million India-Africa Health Fund. It will also include 50,000 scholarships in India over the next five years and support the expansion of the Pan Africa electronic network and institutions of specialization, training and learning across Africa. In the context of the growing importance of the ocean economy, the IAFS-III has outlined a blueprint for greater cooperation in developing the blue economy and promoting what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called “the blue revolution”. The blue economy aims at the sustainable development of marine resources, which will stimulate the growth and prosperity of India, Africa and other littoral states with long coastlines. The third summit of the India-Africa Forum saw a remarkable convergence of positions between India and 54 African countries to address a number of cross-cutting global issues, ranging from UN Security Council reforms, piracy/maritime security and to terrorism, multilateral trade negotiations, climate change, sustainable change and development. India plans to conduct a new training course at the United Nations Peacekeeping Center (CUNPK) in New Delhi and other peacekeeping training centers in Africa dedicated to training trainers from upcoming countries troop contributors from Africa. They also agreed to jointly promote greater involvement of troop-contributing countries in decision-making. A positive change is observed on the African continent and their desire to diversify economically is visible. Business bodies like CII and FICCI are playing a very substantial role in bringing Africa-India relations and creating strategic partnerships. A recent FICCI study “The Rising India” states: “Nowhere in the world is the impact of economic growth and development as large and visible as in Africa.” Africa's development with respect to the growing middle class, the reduction of poverty and the growing trend of globalization make it a suitable destination for India to engage in investment and trade with Africa Our exports include medicines, refined petroleum products and others. This enables us to find a promising alternative market when i Our Western markets are slowly declining due to various economic and political reasons. This allows the dream of “Make in India” to become a reality India must continuously expand its reach on multiple fronts and build a sustainable partnership with Africa to ensure that it achieves greater synergy in the years to come to find common ground. India has called for a partnership with Africa to make its voice heard for the reform of international institutions such as the United Nations and its Security Council. He also underlined the importance of collective action against climate change with the mantra “clean and green”. It includes India's invitation to all African countries to take part in the Indian initiative and join the "Solar Club" for partnership in the fields of clean energy, habitat.