China’s determined and diverse engagement with Africa has resulted in its emergence as one of the most influential players in the continent. If today China’s presence in Africa’s oil industry and influence over regimes is significant, this is because Beijing, unlike countries like India which downsized Africa’s significance in their diplomatic priorities during the 1990s, kept up the momentum of its interaction with African countries during this period. This has paid off. China’s trade with Africa touched $55 billion in 2006 and it is Africa’s third largest trade partner today.

Chinese investment in Africa’s oil industry and infrastructure projects is massive. It has managed to clinch several lucrative oil deals and controls almost all of Sudan’s oil. India is trailing far behind China in the influence it wields in Africa. While its neglect of Africa in the 1990s is partly responsible for this, it is a fact too that Delhi has not been able to match the economic assistance that China has extended to African countries. Some analysts have argued that China’s growing clout in Africa should not worry India as the Sino-Indian relationship in Africa need not necessarily be conflictual and could be co-operative. This is true. However, it is a fact too that China has used its deep pockets and influence to swing several energy deals in its favour, often at the cost of India. India cannot therefore continue to nap while China snaps up the big deals in Africa.

While China’s energetic diplomacy in Africa is worth emulating, there are flaws in Beijing’s Africa policy that Delhi would do well to avoid. China is doing business with African governments, whatever the complexion of the regime and however brutal their human rights record. Not surprisingly, Beijing is perceived by the people in these countries as shoring up repressive regimes. Besides, China’s policy of bringing in its own labour to execute its projects in Africa has resulted in growing anti-China sentiment in Africa, as evident in the violent attacks on Chinese immigrants in Zambia in recent months. India’s big advantage in Africa is that it has always enjoyed public goodwill here and it is in danger of frittering this away if it opts to go down the path that China has chosen. There is no doubt that India – like China – needs to build a robust relationship with Africa. But this Delhi should do through a sustainable partnership that aims at capacity building in Africa.