THE ROLE OF DIASPORAS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION IN INDIA’S AFRICA POLICY

Abstract

The Indian diaspora in African countries has recently gained significant prominence in India’s foreign policy. This relationship has traditionally influenced India’s economic policies and cultural relations. African countries have become increasingly important as economic partners for India due to its rising energy demands and liberalisation policies. Moreover, changes in the international global order, such as the recent rise of China, have deepened India’s relations with African countries by bringing together actors such as India and the European Union. This article analyses the historical development of India’s Africa policy, the role of the diaspora in India’s relations with African countries, and the impact of the European Union (EU) on recent relations. The analyses, conducted using qualitative research methodologies within the framework of historical research methods, are important for understanding India’s strategic alliances with African countries and highlighting the role of the European Union in this process. Throughout history, the African continent has played an important role in India’s foreign policy. For a long time, however, India’s interest in the region was limited due to economic neglect. The signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Union in 2000 marked the start of a shift in this status. Today, both regions share common interests in the international arena, and factors such as the rise of China are encouraging closer relations between Europe and India. In this context, the article’s findings, based on both historical analysis and contemporary data, provide a comprehensive overview of the changing dynamics in India’s Africa policy. In this article, a literature review was conducted using qualitative research methods and existing academic sources were analysed. In addition, it assesses current developments in India’s and the EU’s Africa policy through a range of analytical frameworks. These analyses aim to provide a foundation for understanding India’s strategic position in Africa and for developing future policy recommendations.

Keywords

• Africa
• India
• diaspora
• Indian diaspora
• foreign policy

HİNDİSTAN’IN AFRİKA POLİTİKASINDA DİASPORALARIN YERİ VE AVRUPA BİRLİĞİ’NİN ROLÜ

Abstract

Afrika ülkelerindeki Hint diasporası, son dönemlerde Hindistan’ın dış politikasında önemli bir yer edinmeye başladı. Bu ilişki, geleneksel olarak Hindistan’ın ekonomi politikaları ve kültürel ilişkileri üzerinde de etkili olmaya başlamıştır. Özellikle, Afrika ülkelerinin Hindistan’ın artan enerji talebi ve liberalleşen politikalarıyla ekonomik bir partner olarak daha da önem kazandığı görülmektedir. Ayrıca, özellikle son dönemde Çin’in yükselişi gibi uluslararası küresel düzendeki değişimler, Hindistan ve Avrupa Birliği (AB) gibi aktörleri bir araya getirerek Hindistan’ın Afrika ülkeleri ile olan ilişkilerine derinleşmesine etki etmeye başlamıştır. Bu makalede, Hindistan’ın Afrika politikasının tarihsel gelişimi, Hindistan ile Afrika ülkeleri arasındaki ilişkilerde AB’nin rolü ve son dönemdeki ilişkilerde diasporaların etkisi analiz edilmiştir. Tarihsel araştırma yöntemleri bağlamında nitel araştırma yöntemleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilen analizler, Hindistan’ın Afrika ülkeleri ile stratejik ittifaklarını anlamak ve Avrupa Birliği’nin bu süreçteki rolünü vurgulamak açısından önemlidir. Afrika kıtası, Hindistan’ın dış politikasında tarih boyunca önemli bir rol oynamıştır. Ancak, uzun süre boyunca bölgenin ekonomik açıdan dikkate alınmaması, Hindistan’ın bu bölgeye olan ilgisini sınırlı tutmuştur. 2000 yılında Hindistan ve AB arasındaki stratejik ortaklık anlaşmasıyla birlikte bu durum değişmeye başlamıştır. Günümüzde, uluslararası alanda her iki bölge de ortak çıkarlar peşinde koşmakta ve özellikle Çin’in yükselişi gibi faktörler, Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri ve Hindistan arasında daha yakın ilişkilerin gelişmesini teşvik etmektedir. Bu bağlamda, makalede hem tarihsel analizlere hem de güncel verilere dayanılarak elde edilen bulgular, Hindistan’ın Afrika politikasındaki değişen dinamikleri anlamak için kapsamlı bir bakış sunmaktadır. Makalede, nitel araştırma yöntemleri kullanılarak literatür taraması yapılmış ve mevcut akademik kaynaklar incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, Hindistan ve AB’nin Afrika politikalarındaki güncel gelişmeler ve ilişkiler üzerine çeşitli analitik yaklaşımlar kullanılarak bir değerlendirme yapılmıştır. Bu analizler ile, Hindistan’ın Afrika’daki stratejik konumunu anlamak ve gelecekteki politika önerileri geliştirmek için temel oluşturmak amaçlanmıştır.

Keywords

• Afrika
• Hindistan
• Diaspora
• Hint Diasporası
• Dış politika

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