3. Historical and Normative Underpinnings of Contemporary India–Africa Relations

This chapter analyses four main periods in Indo-African relations that either have shaped normative foundations and have been frequently invoked ever since or that form the immediate backdrop for contemporary India–Africa relations. This is done by examining early history, the colonial era and the period of decolonialisation as well as the 1960s to 1980s. Whereas in early history, traders crossed the Indian Ocean as early as over 2000 years ago, the arrival of colonialism, brought exploitation and subjugation to both regions, and the modern Indian diaspora in Africa bears witness to the indentured labourers who were brought to East and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Later, Mahatma Gandhi became the personification of Indo-African ties, with India’s independence becoming a beacon for African liberation movements. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, supported decolonisation and the fight against apartheid from the very beginning. In the United Nations and via the Non-Aligned Movement he forcefully positioned India as the champion of the developing world. Although the final years of his tenure—as well as the immediately following decades—were characterised by some setbacks, he nevertheless had a lasting effect on the shape of India’s foreign policy and indeed on its Africa policy.