India Maneuvers For Strategic Space In East Africa

NEW DELHI: Growing rivalries in the Red Sea littoral and China's expanding military and commercial profile, saw the first ever joint naval drills between India and Saudi Arabia recently. But Africa watchers say the pressing need is for India to promote a stronger naval presence especially along the coast of East Africa, which China is already believed to have militarised. Abhijit Singh, senior fellow and the head of India’s maritime policy at the ORF, warns that the Chinese presence in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, is a concern. “The Chinese base in Djibouti can most probably now do more than anti-piracy and peace-keeping operations which was its original aim. Combine that with the BRI infrastructure and this leaves India with no option but to take an avid interest in Africa.”...Read More