India battles China for influence in African Indian Ocean Rim

4 April 2008

Chinese expansionism in the African Indian Ocean Rim is a principal factor spurring India to massively strengthen its involvement in the region, pursuing defence and commercial engagement with countries such as the Seychelles, Mauritius and Mozambique, says a new paper by Chatham House.

The first ever India Africa summit opens in New Delhi on Tuesday 8 April and marks a step change in Indian engagement with Africa across economic, political and social spheres.

Increasingly it is China, rather than Pakistan that worries New Delhi's policy makers. In 2007 India warned Beijing about its increasing activity in the Seychelles and at the same time opened a new surveillance installation in Madagascar - indicating the importance of the Indian Ocean as New Delhi's own backyard.

The Indian Ocean has immense significance to India's development - not only commercially but also due to concerns over its security and hegemony in the region. Most of India's trade is by sea and nearly 89% of its oil arrives by sea, so keeping shipping lanes safe is a strategic priority.

India has developed a formidable economic partnership with Mauritius, because of its strong Indian population but also because it is the largest offshore investor in India. Economic links to coastal states such as Kenya and Tanzania, and defence agreements with Mozambique and the Seychelles all point to the growing significance of the African Indian Ocean Rim in Indian foreign policy.

A paper published today by Chatham House charts the evolving relationship between India and other countries of the African Indian Ocean Rim and looks at factors inducing change.

Click here to read India's Engagement with the African Indian Ocean Rim States.

For further information please contact:
Sean Armstrong
Press Officer
Direct: +44 (0) 20 7957 5739
Mobile: +44 (0) 78 4985 3757

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