Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

VIF virtual Book discussion on "India–Africa Relations: Changing Horizons" by Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia

The Vivekananda International Foundation organised a book discussion on "India-Africa Relations: Changing Horizons", on March 23, 2022. The event was chaired by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF. Author of the book Ambassador Rajiv Kumar Bhatia delivered a talk on the book followed by a discussion of the book by Ms Ruchita Beri, Senior Research Associate, IDSA and Samir Bhattacharya, Research Associate, VIF.

March 31, 2022 Event Report

"India–Africa Relations: Changing Horizons" by Rajiv Bhatia, Routledge India, Pp 244, 15 November 2021, INR 995. ISBN 9781032268989

Samir Bhattacharya, Research Associate, VIF

Former High Commissioner to Kenya, South Africa and Lesotho, Ambassador Rajiv Kumar Bhatia, is a Distinguished Fellow of the Foreign Policy Studies Programme at Gateway House. In his new book titled "India-Africa Relations: Changing Horizons", the author contemplates the rise to the prominence of the African continent as a major global actor. He tracks the evolution of the India-Africa relationship in changing geopolitical realities and outlines a series of events that led to this transformation.

March 31, 2022 Books/Book Review

The African Continental Free Trade Area and Opportunities for India

On 23rd February 2022, the Vivekananda Foundation organised a lecture on "The African Continental Free Trade Area and Opportunities for India". The Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is a critical African project to accelerate the continent's long-term integration and economic goal. The CFTA represents an immense opportunity to address Africa's economic vulnerabilities in the global economic order, manifested and exacerbated by WTO and other multilateral and bilateral trade agreements imbalances.

March 02, 2022 Event Report

Harnessing the Trade Winds: The Story of the Centuries-Old Indian Trade with East Africa, Using the Monsoon Winds by Blanche Rocha D’Souza, (First published in Kenya in 2008 by Zand Graphics Ltd, Reprinted in India 2021 by Pentagon Press LLP.) Pp. 204. IN

Samir Bhattacharya, Research Associate, VIF

Long before the Christian era, Indians had the knowledge of monsoon winds. And Indians started sailing, not only before the European explorers of 14th centuries and around, but Indians sailed even before Hippalus, the Greek mariner, famous for discovering the monsoon winds. In fact, the people of Indus Valley Civilisation were already using seasonal monsoon winds also known as trade winds and currents for maritime trade and navigation since 2500 BC, or even before.

November 15, 2021 Books/Book Review

Report on the Visit of Professor Kenneth Matengu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia to VIF

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted Professor Kenneth Matengu, Vice Chancellor of University of Namibia (UNAM), on 1St October 2019. Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF, and the Professor discussed the warm and cordial relationship that India and Namibia share. They examined that India’s commitment towards Namibia in human resource development and capacity building through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and other bilateral programme has been a solid pillar of support which has also been appreciated by the Namibians.

December 12, 2019 Event Report

Conference on ‘India's Foreign Policy towards African Continent in the 21st Century: Prospects for Cooperation’

Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a conference on ‘India's Foreign Policy towards African Continent in the 21st Century: Prospects for Cooperation’ on 20th November, 2019. The delegation consisted of ten Ambassadors and High Commissioners from different African nations, several scholars and experts, former diplomats, and military officers.

November 29, 2019 Event Report

India-Africa Partnership - An Assessment

RS Malhotra

… There is a lot of goodwill for India in Africa. African countries appreciate its non-intrusive policies and look towards it for lead and initiative. However, India’s approach has been request-based and not initiative-based... Basically, a cohesive policy and strategic vision for its partnership with Africa is needed ... India must develop a strategic foreign policy and make it initiative-based ...

September 30, 2019 Paper

African Continental Free Trade Area to Boost the Continent’s Economy

Dr Neha Sinha

“… political will of African governments must be backed by efforts to materialise what nations have agreed upon … there is a dire need to effectively implement the agreement under the guidance of good leadership in order to ensure that the objectives of AfCTA are achieved and properly implemented …”

July 19, 2019 Issue Brief

Visit of the African Media Delegation

Thirty Journalists/Editors from different African countries visited the VIF to familiarise with the socio-political and economic facet of the India society. Centered on the seven decades of shared political and economic relations as well as India’s contribution to peace and security in Africa through participation in UN peace-keeping operations, further strengthening of India’s engagement with the African continent was discussed.

April 26, 2019 Event Report

An Overview of Indian Diaspora in Africa: Implications for India

Dr Neha Sinha

… Indian community residing in Africa is very special as it has contributed its skills to the development of the country of adoption, and is integrated with the indigenous populace ... they have retained their emotional,cultural and spiritual links with India ...

March 12, 2019 Paper