Africa -- what's in it for India?

African leaders gather in India this week for the first India-Africa summit. With China having secured a lucrative foothold in Africa and other powers such as Russia eyeing opportunities there, India is keen to regain its status in the continent.

Delhi once had a high profile derived from strong trade ties, its support for nationalist struggles in the 1950s and 1960s and extensive Indian settlement in Africa. Yet relations were then strained as Indian communities faced difficulties in states such as South Africa and Uganda and as Delhi focused on autarchic development.

Times have changed. Trade is now growing fast and there are strong incentives driving African states and India to expand links further. Resources -- particularly oil -- are clearly a driver for Delhi, though the Indian focus on ensuring mutual gains rather than on 'competition' is an attempt to downplay this.

It is keen to share its expertise in areas such as pharmaceuticals, technology and education, and win African states' support for its bid for a UN Security Council seat. There is much scope for cooperation on shared 'developing world' interests, including the production and distribution of generic drugs.

Yet for all the optimism and confidence in India about its own growing might, there is competition for a stake in Africa. The jamboree will pale in scale compared to the love-in staged for African leaders by Beijing in 2006, which was attended by over three times as many state leaders as Delhi expects to host.