Insight On Africa 2014 Nzomo 89 111

Article
Foreign Policy and Insight on Africa

6(2) 89111
Diplomacy in IndiaEast 2014 African Studies
Association of India
African Relations SAGE Publications
Los Angeles, London,
New Delhi, Singapore,
Washington DC
DOI: 10.1177/0975087814535427
http://ioa.sagepub.com
Maria Nzomo
Abstract
The article examines the role and impact of foreign policy and diplomacy in
IndiaEast Africa relations. The main argument of the article is that underlying
the soft diplomatic strategy employed by both parties are the hard core secu-
rity, economic and power interests that are the driving force for East AfricaIndia
engagement in this rapidly globalising and competitive world of the twenty-first
century. The article thus underscores that underneath the veneer of an assorted
mix of inter-related diplomatic approaches employed to advance respective
national interests, the engagement has been pragmatic; business-led rather than
ideological; driven mainly by security, economic and power imperatives and less
by official rhetoric of SouthSouth political solidarity.
Keywords
Diplomacy, foreign policy, geopolitical, diaspora, India, East Africa
Introduction
The Eastern African region consists of some 20 states1 that are geopolitically
located on the Indian Ocean Rim that borders the countries of the Horn of
Africa, East Africa and the Great Lakes region. Most of these African countries
share similar political and economic histories, ideologies and foreign policies
and have had broadly similar linkages with India. This article focuses, however,
only on Indias relations with the countries of the East African Community
(EAC)2Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundiwith a greater focus
on KenyaIndia relations.3
Contacts between India and Africa date to ancient times when Indian mer-
chants conducted a relatively extensive trade along the eastern littoral of the
African continent, Indias near abroad (Jacobs, 2013). In particular, the Eastern
Maria Nzomo is Professor and Director at the Institute of Diplomacy and International
Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: nzomomaria@gmail.com
Downloaded from ioa.sagepub.com by Alexander Rusero on April 26, 2016

90 Maria Nzomo
African countries and India share the Indian Oceana common border that
unites them. This geographical proximity between Eastern Africa and the Indian
subcontinent has played an important role in the development of the relationship
since ancient times.
The period of European colonial expansion brought to an end, this long-range
trading system. On the other hand, the incorporation of both the Indian subconti-
nent and large parts of Africa into the British Empire facilitated the establishment
of substantial communities of people of Indian origin in Africa, as well as the
development of a shared sense of oppression by Western Imperial powers and a
common desire to collectively liberate themselves from this external aggression
and subordination. It is this spirit that in the post-colonial Cold War era translated
into the common embrace of the non-alignment foreign policy approach to serve
as both a political shield from Cold War politics and a weapon for enhancing their
capacity to exercise their newly acquired sovereignty in international affairs.
India and most of the Eastern African countries also share a common member-
ship in key international organisations including the Commonwealth to which
all African countries that are former British colonies (except Zimbabwe and
Gambia) belong, the UN, WTO, G77, the NAM, G15, the G33 and G99 among
others, where they use these platforms to advance their SouthSouth development
co-operation agendas. During the Cold War era, India and the EAC member coun-
tries adopted a policy of Non-Alignment with India being a key player in the Non-
Aligned Movement. However, after the Cold War, Indias Foreign policy moved
Africa to the periphery as its main focus was to reestablish ties with the West.
From the time of independence till the end of the 1990s, relations between
India and African countries were, to a large extent, based on political and ideo-
logical complementarities, as India, like Africa, was at the time struggling with its
own developmental problems, and was itself a recipient of aid and investment.
Nevertheless, shared perceptions, ideologies, aspirations and history of political
solidarity, sustained a good understanding between India and the East African
countries. This was especially the case in international forums, where they adopted
common platforms on economic, political and other issues.
But by the beginning of the first decade of the twenty-first century, India had
experienced a significant and unprecedented economic growth which placed it
among the middle powers of the world having a potential to develop into a major
power. India is currently said to be the sixth largest economy in the world, with an
average growth rate of 7.5 per cent in 2011; one of the fastest growing economies
in the world (Baynton-Glen, 2012). India now has capital to invest, finances for
development, technologies for enhancing productivity and an enormous market
for exports. Hence, it is looking outward to other regions and countries for trade,
investment and strengthened political relations. Africa then has become a core
part of this new focus in Indias international relations. Consequently, Indias
trade exchanges with Africa are expected to rise to US$ 90100 billion by 2015,
with the balance of trade in favour of Africa. India is also shifting its investments
in energy procurement, away from the increasingly unstable West Asia and into
Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy in IndiaEast African Relations 91
Africa. At 17 per cent, Africa is currently the second-largest source of crude oil
imports for India (Baynton-Glen, 2012). Nevertheless, given several decades of
Indias low key political and economic interest in Africa, one cannot but be scepti-
cal about Indias renewed interest, as it is largely based on political and economic
expediency, intended to help India attain its developmental interests and global
power ambitions. That being the case, what do East African countries have to gain
from this marriage of convenience?
From the beginning of this century, African states too, for reasons of their
own, have been exploring avenues to diversify their international development
partners. The emerging middle powers such as India and China are viewed favour-
ably, as their terms of engagement are considered more positive than those
provided earlier by Western nations. Their entry onto the world stage as economic
powers, was timely, as it coincided with a period of increasing resentment and
disillusionment among African countries, arising from the persisting unjust terms
and conditions attached to the investment and financial assistance received from
Western countries and the Bretton Woods institutions. Jointly they were blamed
for Africas economic crisis of the 1980s (the lost decade) and further decline in
the 1990s that earned Africa the label of the hopeless Continent.
Against this background, the East African states welcomed engagement
with India and other Asian countries. This engagement has operated at three
levels: the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
and at the bilateral level. For India, this engagement is founded on four impor-
tant factors: first, there is a sense of solidarity with the African countries;
second, there is no fundamental conflict of interests with any African country
or the continent as a whole; third, there is a feeling of shared historical colonial
and post-colonial experience and, lastly, there is a conviction that owing to the
similar socio-economic conditions of India and many African countries, common
solutions to prevalent problems can continue to be found through collaboration
(Viswanathan, 2013).
Role of Foreign Policy/Diplomacy

in IndiaEast Africa Partnership
Unlike in previous years, when the major function of diplomacy was primarily
to promote friendly and co-operative bilateral and multilateral relations, in the
twenty-first century world, issues of trade, of investment, science, agriculture,
environment, transport, diaspora communities, human and drug trafficking, etc.,
all require diplomatic strategic action to address them.
Most African countries, including those of East Africa have reviewed their
foreign policies in light of the post-Cold War and century globalisation trends and
shifted the focus from political to economic issues. In Kenya for example, the new
foreign policy drafted in 2007, identifies a long list of non-political national

92 Maria Nzomo
interest issues that the country wishes to advance through diplomacy: economic,
environment, diaspora, culture, sports, etc. But the major emphasis is placed on
the advancement of economic interests through economic diplomacy.4 This is
in response to a world where fundamental issues of human survival, of power,
peace and security, hinge on economic and human development.
Economic diplomacy requires diplomatic missions to also concern themselves
with non-state actors in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy. It also requires stra-
tegic networking that includes all levels of co-operation, within which business-
related issues play an increasingly important role. Besides, strategic utilisation of
modern technology for conference diplomacy (including teleconferencing; con-
ference tourism); image building and trade promotion through website marketing
and strategic utilisation of various media outlets is required.
It is in this new context, where restructuring of national interests has witnessed
a hierarchical shift towards greater emphasis on economic advancement and less
on political posturing, that this article attempts to analyse the role of diplomacy in
respect to India and East Africa relations.
Indian Foreign Interests in Its Engagement

with East Africa
Indias relations with the East African countries can be said to be at three levels:
one is at the bilateral level with each of the countries concerned, second at the
EAC level and third at the AU level. To cement this relationship, India has engaged
with all the five countries at different levels and entered into Memorandums of
Understanding (MOUs) with them in various areas of co-operation including:
pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, human resources develop-
ment, tourism, industry, non-conventional energy, etc., and capacity building in
science and technology among other things (Baynton-Glen, 2012).
At bilateral level, Indias co-operation with each of the three East African
countries has been based on institutional mechanisms set up in each country, that
take the form of Joint Trade Commissions, Business Councils and Committees for
Economic, Technological, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation, that meet periodi-
cally to boost relations and iron out problems. At the AU level, India engages with
East Africa through the IndiaAfrica Forums and the various pan-African projects
initiated by India, especially the pan-African e-Network project, which provides
African countries with opportunities not only for connectivity among themselves
and the outside world, but also link them with hospitals and educational institu-
tions in India, through telemedicine and tele-education.
Indias engagement with East Africa conforms to its strategic, economic,
security and power interests that find convergence with those of the East African
countries. This partnership features an assorted mixture of inter-related political,
strategic and economic factors related to Indias national and international
ambitions. While the drivers of this relationship can be ascribed to the Government

of India and its foreign policy, in reality, IndiaEast Africa relations encompasses
a complex set of diverse actors, of which, Indian business is central.
Economically, India is a fast developing and industrialising nation which
requires a lot of energy as a key driver for its industrialisation. Thus Indias
increased engagement with Africa is driven by the strategic need to secure energy
resources from Africa (that is believed to have 9 per cent of the worlds oil)
(Baynton-Glen, 2012), to meet the increasing demand for oil and uranium for
Indias industries. India also wants to diversify its oil sources in order to reduce
dependence on the Middle East (its main source) which is politically volatile. This
strategic move by India, secures its economy from being held at ransom by any
political unrest in the Middle East. Further, Indias increased economic engage-
ment with East African states also secures readily available markets for Indian
products and services such as pharmaceutical products.
In its relations with East Africa, Indias diplomatic strategy has been to portray
itself as a reliable, time tested friend and ally, who supported Africas struggle
against colonial rule and apartheid. This portrayal is backed by the fact that
throughout the 1960s and 1970s, India worked closely with the newly liberated
African countries to forge common positions on global issues. India was also a
key champion during the fight for decolonisation of Eastern Africa. Many promi-
nent Indian personalities were active during the emancipation period such as
Pio Gama Pinto in Kenya, who significantly contributed to Kenyas liberation.
In its twenty-first century engagement with Africa, India diplomatically and
skillfully used shared political history to endear itself to Africa in forging and
strengthening development partnerships. At the AU Jubilee Celebrations in
May 2013, the Indian Vice President reminded Africa that:
Our own founding fathers believed that Indias freedom would remain incomplete as
long as Africa remained in bondage. History records that India imposed a trade embargo
on apartheid South Africa in 1946 and took the lead in placing apartheid on the agenda
of the very first session of the United Nations General AssemblyOur development
partnership with Africa has been illuminated by this experience.5
India has also utilised security diplomacy to its advantage. It has been a key player
in peace keeping missions in Africa, contributing over 100,000 soldiers and par-
ticipating in over 40 missions in the continent since 1960 (Roy, 2013b). India has
also been active in preventing and combating international terrorism. Furthermore,
at the second IndiaAfrica Summit held in Addis Ababa on the eve of Africa Day,
India extended what it termed: a token of our commitment to supporting Africas
endeavours for seeking African solutions, US$ 2 million for the African Union
Mission in Somalia.6
Both India and East Africa, through their joint forums, including Trade
Commissions, Business Councils and Committees for Economic, Technological,
Scientific and Cultural Cooperation have participated in negotiations, consensus
building and ultimately to advance their respective national interests, through

94 Maria Nzomo
mutually beneficial trade and investment exchanges, financial and technical

support. This diplomatic strategy, combined with the strategy of commonly
shared political history of solidarity, is expected to serve as a formidable tool
for advancing Indias interests in Africa:
the IndiaAfrica partnership is today being taken forward under the auspices of the
IndiaAfrica Forum Summit process. Anchored in the philosophy of SouthSouth co-
operation, our approach is non intrusive and non prescriptive, consultative and, above
all, responsive to Africas own assessment of its needs.7
As regards economic engagement, India is keen on benefitting from the expanded

ECA market that currently brings together five countries of East Africa with at
least three more waiting in the wings (South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia) and
a rapidly expanding, well-educated middle class. Indeed, in East Africa, India
has found itself a ready market for Indian products and services such as pharma-
ceutical products, technology, communication, educational and medical services,
etc,. India is also keen on benefitting from the newly discovered natural resources
in East Africa (especially oil and gas) and harnessing the large pool of Indian
diaspora of more than two million residents across the African continent (Asher
and Singh, 2008).
Again, given Indias ambition of becoming a global power with influence on
global issues, it is keenly aware that it needs the support of the 54 African coun-
tries, especially in securing a seat at the United Nations Security Council and for
the overall expansion and democratic governance reforms of the Council (Bagchi,
2011; Roy, 2013a). For this, India utilised its diplomatic skills at the Addis Ababa
Summit in May 2013, during the celebrations of Africa at 50, attended by Indias
Prime Minister. India and Africas interests seem to have converged, as the two
sides agreed to support each other in lobbying for one permanent seat each in an
expanded and reformed UN Security Council.
Indias increased engagement with East African states has also been ignited
by the need to compete and counter the influence in the region of another
Asian giantChinathat has become very visible in Africa since the dawn of
the twenty-first century. In this connection, Indias aim is to become the most
prominent Asian partner in the region; ahead of both China and Japan. Towards
this end, India has in the last two years added to its investment engagement,
foreign aid portfolio to African states, with the aim of projecting itself as a power-
ful and reliable ally and as the leader and champion of SouthSouth co-operation
and development (Naidu, 2008; c.f. Narlikar, 2010). The first pledge of an aid
package to Africa was made at the Second Africa Summit where India offered
US$ 5 billion as a three year credit to support Africas development goals;
US$ 700 million to establish new institutions and training programmes in consul-
tation with the African Union and its institutions; US$ 300 million to support the
development of a new EthioDjibouti Railway line; 10,000 new scholarships and
to establish an India-Africa Virtual University.8

Furthermore, in its increased security co-operation with East Africa (Mwagiru

and Biswas, 2012), India takes advantage of the fact that both parties have been
victims of terror attacks that negatively affect their economies. Based on this
mutual need, Indias active military presence in the Indian Ocean not only pro-
vides maritime security but also serves its global power ambitions. In this connec-
tion, India intends to reassert its position as the country with the third largest
Army in the world and the strongest Navy in the Indian Ocean Rim that can
maintain maritime security and counter terrorism for India and the Eastern African
states.9 India hinges its credibility on its history of involvement in various peace-
keeping missions in Africa, which also portray it as a champion for world peace
and security, which deserves to be rewarded with a permanent seat at the United
Nations Security Council.
Indias increased participation in Eastern Africa has also brought some benefits
for the East African states, in the form of new sources of development assistance,
new markets for their raw materials and other products, employment creation and
diversification of foreign aid sources and reduction of Western dominance in their
economies. Furthermore, Africa finds Indias products and services cheaper and
more competitive than those from the West. The partnership with India is also
viewed as a potentially strong driving force within the context of regional integra-
tion that requires the attraction of big emerging economies like India to invest in
these newly formed regional markets.
However, this engagement has also brought in disadvantages; the textile
imports from India can in the medium and long term undermine African textile
companies, while Indias blanket policy of non-interference in the internal affairs
of states it gives foreign aid to, can in some cases, contribute to legitimisation and
consolidation of political authoritarianism of repressive and undemocratic regimes
in the region that do not uphold the rule of law and human rights (Volman, 2008).
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

in East AfricaIndia Relations
The five members of the East African Community broadly share similar foreign
policy positions, guided by broadly similar national interests that revolve around
security and socio-economic development concerns, as well as an overwhelming
desire to safeguard national sovereignty, political stability and non-interference in
domestic affairs. The role of diplomacy as a strategy for attaining foreign policy
objectives has been crucial for all the East African States engagement with the
world and in this case India, as discussed in the rest of this article.
RwandaIndia Relations
Rwandas foreign policy10 is centered on two key pillars: the first, to contribute to
the attainment of peace, security and stability in Rwanda, the region, the continent

96 Maria Nzomo
and the world, by establishing and maintaining good and co-operative relations
with all countries; and the second, to contribute to wealth creation through
development co-operation, investments and tourism promotion, transfer of
knowledge and technology, equitable world trade and regional integration.
Rwandas foreign policy is further guided by the values and principles of
promotion and protection of the countrys independence and sovereignty; mutual
respect between states; equality and complementarities of sovereign interests. The
Rwandan Foreign Policy is used as a diplomatic instrument for attaining its
Vision 2020 development policy. Its Aid Policy is also tailored to the attainment
of this development vision.
Guided by its foreign policy principles, Rwanda cemented bilateral relations
with India; it signed three Memorandums of Understanding on the establish-
ment of a Joint Permanent Commission, renewable energy co-operation and the
solar electrification of 35 schools in rural Rwanda. The Indian government also
advanced Rwanda a loan of US$ 80 million for the construction of a 27.5 MW
hydro-electric project.11 In addition, under the framework of the diplomatic pro-
cesses of the IndiaAfrica Forum Summits of 2008 and 2011 and its pan-African
e-network project, India assured support for the setting up of telemedicine and
tele-education centres at King Faisal Hospital and Kigali Institute of Education
respectively, in 2009.12 India also awarded 13 scholarships to Rwandan students
to study in India as well as 40 training slots for government officials. Furthermore,
over 1,500 Indians diaspora in Rwanda are involved in a variety of businesses that
include manufacturing, education, construction, infrastructure, ICT and telecom-
munication. But, even while the development partnership between Rwanda and
India seems consistent with Rwandan foreign and aid policy it is tipped heavily in
favour of India in the area of trade.
BurundiIndia Relations
Indias enhanced relationship with Burundi is a product of the IndiaAfrica
Forum Summit diplomatic processes of 2008 and 2011. Following the first India
Africa Forum Summit in 2008, Burundi was nominated by the AU to host the
IndiaAfrica Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (IAIEPA)
one of the five institutes offered by India at the pan-Africa level. The Institute
is mandated to strengthen the regional capacity in the education sector (Vines
and Oruitemeka, 2007).
As in Rwanda, India has contributed to the development of Burundis human
resources through the pan-African e-network project training programmes and
scholarships. Burundi was chosen to host a Vocational Training Centre and Cluster
of Biomass Gasifier systems offered by India under the IndiaAfrica Forum
Summit initiative for capacity building and development. India is also setting
up an Information and Technology Centre of Excellence in Burundi, which is
expected to benefit not only Burundians but the whole of Africa. India supports

the development of infrastructure in Burundi to the tune of US$ 80 million credit

for a hydroelectric project and US$ 40 million for a farm mechanisation and food
processing unit. During the last few years, Indian companies have invested in
Burundis coffee plantations, manufacture of synthetics, water tanks, distilleries
and computer hardware.13
Indias exports to Burundi include pharmaceuticals and chemicals, machinery
and instruments, plastic products, transport equipments and rubber manufactured
products. On the other hand, the only items that India imports from Burundi are
non-electrical machinery, iron and steel. But similar to the rest of East Africa, the
balance of trade remains heavily tipped in favour of Indiaa factor that needs to
be addressed for sustainability and enhancement of IndiaEast Africa relations.
TanzaniaIndia Relations
Like many other African countries, Tanzania has responded to the realities of
the twenty-first century globalisation by adopting a foreign policy stance that
prioritises economic advancement as a core national interest. While the policy
is basically leveraged upon the pursuit of economic objectives, it also seeks to
preserve and consolidate the gains of the past and the fundamental principles of
Tanzanias traditional foreign policy that include: safeguarding its sovereignty,
territorial integrity and political independence, promotion of freedom, justice,
human rights, equality, SouthSouth co-operation and support of the UN agenda.
To attain Tanzanias foreign policy objectives in its foreign relations, Tanzania
has sought to create convergence between its interests and those of bilateral and
multilateral partners. Accordingly, while seeking to build a self sustaining economy,
preserving national peace and security, Tanzania has redefined and strengthened
its bilateral and multilateral diplomacy and international partnerships, by support-
ing regional and international efforts for enhancing regional peace and security;
participating in regional and international negotiations; engaging in efforts
to strengthen regional socio-economic and political integration (EAC, SADC,
IORARC), promoting good neighbourliness, upholding goals of AU, the UN,
the Commonwealth, SouthSouth co-operation, reaffirming non-alignment; co-
operating with Multinational Corporations and other INGOs and NGOs (MFA and
International Cooperation, undated).
It is within the context of this diplomatic strategy that Tanzanias engagement
with India occurs. Tanzania and India are closely linked through geographical,
historical, cultural, political, economic, commercial and other ties (High Commission
of India, Tanzania, 2013; c.f. High Commission of Tanzania in India, 2013).
Geographically, both are neighbours across the Indian Oceana factor that has
historically facilitated trade and cultural relations, while bilateral political relations
are driven largely by shared ideological commitment to anti-colonialism, anti-
racism, socialist ideology, SouthSouth co-operation and the non-alignment policy.
At the same time trade volumes between India and Tanzania for 2010/2011
increased by about 55 per cent compared to the previous year. Tanzania also

98 Maria Nzomo
remains Indias fifth major export destination and improved to become the
12th (previously 15th) major import source to India from Africa. Tanzania is a
major supplier of cotton and nuts to India and is also among the 14 countries that
make up 85 per cent of Indian imports into Africa.14
Furthermore, it is with Tanzania that India maintains one of the largest bilateral
aid programmes outside South Asia, with both the volume of Indian ODA
and mutual trade, and investment activities increasing steadily.15 But this trade
is again tipped in favour of India and with no strategy in place to correct the
imbalance. On investments, Indian MNCs combined, hold the largest investment
portfolio from Asia, in Tanzania.16 The same applies to medical tourism; Tanzanian
nationals, more than those from any other country, regularly travel to India for
medical treatment. Whereas, Tanzania gains in terms of access to cheaper and
quality health service for some of its citizens, the major beneficiary is India,
that both receives medical fees and income from Tanzanias medical tourists.
Furthermore, only a few Indian tourists visit Tanzania annually, totaling only
19,100.17 Accordingly, since 2009, specific initiatives are being undertaken to
tap the extensive Indian tourism market. The Tanzania Tourist Board appointed
its resident representative in India (stationed in Mumbai) to help create more
awareness among the Indian public, of the Tanzanian tourist attractions.18
UgandaIndia Relations
The foreign policy goals of Uganda are anchored on the pillars of national
security, national prosperity and the well-being of the Ugandan people and the
diplomatic strategies that it uses to achieve these policy goals are: promotion of
regional and international peace and security, commercial and economic diplo-
macy, national image-building through public diplomacy, effective participation
in multilateral diplomacy and regional economic integration efforts, adherence to
UN obligations on international treaties and conventions, mobilisation of bilateral
and multilateral resources for development, enhancement of protocol, consular
and diaspora services (MFA, Uganda, 2013).
India established its diplomatic presence in Uganda in 1965 and bilateral rela-
tions have since remained cordial save for period in the early 1970s, during the
reign of President Idi Amin when nearly 60,000 Indian diaspora and nationals
were expelled from Uganda. However, with coming to power of the current
President Yoweri Museveni in 1986, the anti-Indian policies were reversed and
remedial measures taken to ensure that IndiaUganda bilateral relations can be
normalised. Restoration of bilateral relations has fostered co-operation between
the two states in economic, political, developmental and socialcultural issues at
two levels of diplomatic engagement: bilateral and multilateral (AU, RECs, the
EAC and the UN).
Indian development assistance to Uganda has been based mainly on announce-
ments made by India at the IndiaAfrica Forum Summits in 2008 and 2011.

Following the first IndiaAfrica Forum Summit (IAFS-I) in 2008, Uganda

was nominated by the AU to host the IndiaAfrica Institute of Foreign Trade
(IAIFT), one of the five Institutes offered by India at the pan-Africa level, with the
specific role of developing entrepreneurial skills and research capacity in foreign
trade, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)the
implementing agency for the IAIFT.
The Second IndiaAfrica Forum Summit (IAFS-II) in 2011, announced the
setting up of a Food Processing Business Incubation Centre in Uganda, to pro-
vide support to the local entrepreneurs that would enhance their skills in food
processing and acquainting them with the latest technology and equipment used
in the industry. At IAFS-II, India also offered eight Material Testing Laboratories
for Highways (MTLH), one each for the eight RECs. The Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) and Economic Community of Central African
States (ECCAS) decided to locate one MTLH in Uganda.
In addition, under the pan-African e-Network Project, a telemedicine and a
tele-education centre have been set up at Ugandas main public hospitalMulago
Hospital and at Makerere University, respectively. These two centres inaugurated
in August 2010 by the Foreign Ministers of both the countries, are envisaged to
provide Ugandans access to medical care and education in India, at a fraction of
the normal cost. To encourage the many Ugandans who view India as a destina-
tion for quality and affordable education, India offers 130 scholarships every year
to Uganda under different schemes. Training courses in highly specialised areas
are also conducted for officers of public institutions. An estimated 1,000 Ugandan
students are presently studying in Indian universities (High Commission of India,
Uganda, 2013). In addition to these training programmes, India also conducts train-
ing courses for Ugandas defence personnel at the prestigious National Defence
College in New Delhi.
As with other East African countries, although bilateral trade between India
and Uganda has increased in the last few years, the balance is still heavily tilted in
favour of India. In particular, Uganda imports almost 30 per cent of its pharma-
ceuticals from India, which is also the second largest FDI investor in the country.
Efforts made to improve economic co-operation include a Double Taxation
Avoidance Agreement between India and Uganda that came into effect in 2004.
There have also been various commercial visits and events between the two coun-
tries, such as the annual Indian Manufacturers Catalogue Exhibition first held in
February 2012.19
The Indian diaspora community provides the most durable economic and cul-
tural links with Uganda.20 Presently, there are around 22,000 Indian diaspora
living in Uganda; it plays a leading role in the Ugandan economy, especially in
manufacturing, trade, agro-processing, banking, sugar, real estate, hotels, tourism
and information technology. They also generate employment for Ugandans and
are amongst the largest taxpayers in the country.
Despite the imbalance in trade relations, some argue that the bilateral economic
co-operation benefits both Uganda and India (MFA, Uganda, 2013).

100 Maria Nzomo
Kenyas Foreign Policy Interests

Among the key objectives underpinning Kenyas foreign policy and relations
include protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, promoting economic
prosperity and well-being of Kenyans, enhancing peaceful co-existence and good
neighbourliness, promoting regional co-operation and integration, advancing the
values of freedom, justice and upholding Kenyas national heritage and prestige
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya, 2007).
For the first four decades in the post-colonial era, Kenyas Foreign Policy
focused primarily on political diplomacy. However, since 2003, its Foreign
Policy orientation has changed, as the main policy focus has shifted from political
to economic diplomacy along with the adoption of the so called Look East
economic diplomacy. The key reason for the adoption of this policy orientation
was to diversify Kenyas economic relations away from the high dependence on
traditional Western partners and to broaden its external market access, develop-
ment assistance, as well as affordable and appropriate technologies, which Eastern
countries such as India and China provide.
Kenyas foreign policy shift is anchored on the national development policy
strategy termed Vision 2030 that came into force in 2006, with the core goal of
making it a middle income country by 2030. The Vision has identified three
main pillars for attaining this objective, namely, economic, political and social
(Government of Kenya, 2007). The economic pillar seeks to achieve economic
growth for the country, in areas such as tourism, agriculture, manufacturing,
financial services, wholesale and retail trade and Information Technology enabled
services to boost this growth. The combined effect of Kenyas foreign policy and
Vision 2030 has created many investment opportunities for India in Kenya.
The Rationale of Kenyas Engagement with India

Shared Diplomatic History
After Indias independence in 1947, Kenya was one of the first countries in
Africa where India established a diplomatic mission in 1948, whose status
was raised to that of High Commission on 12 December 1963, when Kenya
attained independence. Kenya too opened a High Commission in New Delhi
and a Consulate in Indias commercial capital of Mumbai to increase consular and
trade contacts. It is important to note that Indians do not require visas to enter
Kenya; but Kenyans are required to obtain visas to travel to India. There is a clear
diplomatic need for India to reciprocate.
High level bilateral visits at the level of HOS/HOG/ministerial level have,
however, been very limited. Only former Kenyan President Arap Moi paid
one state visit to India in 1981 and attended the NAM Summit, March 1983
and CHOGM Summit, November 1983. Similarly for India, only former Indian
President Sanjeeva Reddy and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kenya

in 1981. Despite the absence of frequent high level bilateral visits, political
leadership of both countries continued to maintain close relations, rapport and
understanding of each others views on bilateral and multilateral issues, with a
shared colonial history, commitment to the ideals of democracy and promotion
of world peace and stability.
Economic Rationale
Kenyas economic and developmental bilateral relations with India have gener-
ally expanded since the signing of the Indo-Kenya Trade Agreement in March
1981. Kenya and India accorded each other the Most Favoured Nation status and
in 1989, they signed the IndiaKenya Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
(DTAA) to facilitate trade and investment. Economic prosperity is a key foreign
policy objective for Kenya and is motivation for the country to co-operate with
India. Kenyas rationale for engagement is based on self interest and India, like
China and other Asian states, is viewed as a development partner whose products
are cheaper and whose assistance has got fewer attached conditions than that of
Western states. India has also been providing loans and credit at a lower interest
rate than the West. Consequently, Kenyas imports from traditional European
markets are on the decline, as imports from Asian states ascend. Resultantly, India
has become an important economic partner and is ranked among its top-ten major
trading partners; the sixth largest source of imports and the eighteenth overall
for Kenyas exports. India also ranks Kenya as one of its major trading partners
in Africa.21 It is also among countries planned to be covered by Indias pan-
African e-Network Project. India and Kenya also co-operate in the education
sector, with many Kenyan students pursuing higher education in India since the
1950s. In addition, over 50 trainees annually benefit from Indian Technical and
Economic Co-operation (ITEC)/India Commission Cultural Relations Scholarship
schemes. Furthermore, Kenyas senior level defense personnel have been trained
in India and Indian Education Fairs held in Kenya (Ministry of External Affairs,
2013). India is also one of Kenyas important sources of technology in the engi-
neering, electronics, pharmaceuticals and information technology sectors; and a
potential market for its mineral and agricultural products. In recent years, many
Indian companies have invested in the Kenyan telecommunications sector, flower
farming, soda ash and limestone mining and the pharmaceutical industry.
India on the other hand, has various reasons for offering development assis-
tance to Kenya. It hopes to develop an even stronger relationship with Kenya and
further its trade and political interests. It also hopes to project itself as a powerful
and self-reliant country that can compete with China and counter its growing
influence in Kenya. As an emerging power and a rapidly industrialising country,
India values economic co-operation with Kenya, a market for Indias manufac-
tured products and technological services, a source of strategic raw material
inputs for its industries, especially the recently discovered oil and gas resources.
Furthermore, in the event that the Kenya President was convicted at the ICC, the
Western States might issue sanctions to Kenya opening up greater opportunities

102 Maria Nzomo
for the Asian states that have remained supportive of Kenyattas Government,
despite the ICC process (Kalan).
There is thus a clear convergence of interests between the two states. Indian
imports to Kenya have increased over the last years and India has risen to become
Kenyas top import market ahead of China and the UAE (Kenya National Bureau
of Statistics, 2012). This notwithstanding, IndiaKenya economic engagement
needs to be expanded in other areas that would be mutually beneficial. Kenya
being a major exporter of agricultural and horticultural products, there exist
great opportunities for India to set up agro-processing industries in Kenya. Also,
as Kenyas tea industry is one of the worlds largest, there is enormous scope
for Indias exports of tea machinery to Kenya. India can also invest in Kenyas
cotton industry, which the country is seeking to revive. Kenya is also seeking
partnership to assist in building key resort cities countrywide, to boost tour-
ism revenue (Government of Kenya, 2007). India could for example invest its
advanced information technology, in these resort cities that are being established
in Kenya. Infrastructure development, telecommunications, energy generation
and distribution, expansion of its pipeline and airports are other areas that Indian
companies could invest in (Government of Kenya, 2007).
Security Rationale
At the Security level, India and Kenya have every reason to co-operate; both
countries face external pressures, from global powers and from unstable or hostile
neighbours. They also face security challenges from piracy and terrorism in the
Indian Ocean, which negatively impacts not only their respective states security,
regional and international; but also their respective political, military, economic
and cultural interests. Furthermore, both India and Kenya are regional powers
separated by the Indian Ocean which is a strategic resource for meeting their indi-
vidual and collective national interests (Munene, 2012). India uses the ocean as
a route to transport its export products (e.g., machinery) and imports from
Africa, including oil, which is a key energy resource. For Kenya, tourism in
general and the Indian Ocean coast tourism in particular, is a major foreign
exchange earner; thus making the Indian Ocean economically strategic. Besides,
the threat of piracy and terrorism on the Somali coast affects the economic inter-
ests of both states, thus the need for security co-operation. Furthermore, Kenya
lacks the naval capacity to tackle terrorism and piracy in the Indian Ocean, but
India has with its naval capacity not only countered this security menace, it
also offers training to Kenyan security personnel. India has also provided military
hardware to Kenya and both countries have held joint military exercises (Ministry
of External Affairs, 2013).
Overall, both Kenya and India face the challenge of terrorism within and
without their territory and both countries have suffered several terrorist attacks in
their territories. Due to the large number of Kenyans in India and vice versa, both
states co-operate to counter terrorism in an attempt to protect their nationals in
both countries. Besides, Indian companies both private and public have many

investments in Kenya and terror attacks affect these investments. For instance, the
October 2013 Westgate Mall terror attack in Kenya, resulted in loss of human
lives and destruction of large economic assets of various Kenyan and Indian busi-
ness investors. This event brought to the fore the two states shared security threat
and vulnerability to terrorist attacks and the need for greater co-operation in this
regard (Singh, 2013). Tackling piracy, terrorism and other security threats in the
Indian Ocean Rim thus requires India to work with Kenya and other East African
states (Munene, 2012).
Diaspora and Cultural Rationale in KenyaIndia Relations
Cultural diplomacy is an important strategy for advancing KenyaIndia core
interests. The presence of a sizeable number of people of Indian origin in Kenya
adds an important dimension to the IndiaKenya relationship. Kenya is home
to about 70,000 Indian diaspora, who control an estimated 3035 per cent of
the economic levers in Kenya. Of these, about 75 per cent are Kenyan citizens,
10 per cent are British overseas citizens and about 15 per cent are Indian citizens
(Ministry of External Affairs, 2013). There is also a substantial diaspora popu-
lation of Kenyans in India most of whom are students. The presence of large
diaspora population in both countries is very important in maintaining good
relationship. This relationship is enhanced through the official bilateral Cultural
Exchange Program (CEP) that links the two countries, as well as through
the KenyaIndia Friendship Association (KIFA) formed in 1981, to foster social,
cultural, educational and business relations between the peoples of Kenya
and India.
The Geopolitical Rationale

In a speech made by Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta titled: What we see
when we look to the East on 17 August 2013, he outlined his governments posi-
tion in respect to engagement with India and other Asian countries located on the
Indian Ocean Rim (Kenyatta, 2013). He emphasized the strategic importance
of geopolitics that Kenya should harness in partnering with Indian Ocean Rim
countries of Asia, noting that geography drives wealth and poverty, war and
peacegeography presents both daunting challenges and incredible opportuni-
ties. In this connection, he noted that Kenyas location in the greater Eastern
Africa regionon the shores of the Indian Oceanhas subjected the country to
the turbulent energy of the Cold War as well as the hot conflicts that followed
its thawing (Kenyatta, 2013). Kenya, however, has an opportunity arising from
its geopolitical location on the Indian Ocean Rim; from which it can benefit eco-
nomically, from the rapidly emerging system of trade, investment and security.
In this connection, Kenya intends to benefit from its centrality in the waters that
host major sea-routes connecting Africa, the Middle East and East Asia with
the Americas, Europe and the entire Indian Ocean coastline, where one-third of
the worlds population comprising of the worlds fastest-growing economies and
megacities lives.

104 Maria Nzomo
In its engagement with India and other Asian countries therefore, a core goal of
Kenya is to leverage on this geopolitical advantage to become a regional eco-
nomic hub and political leader in an integrating Africa (under ECA, COMESA,
IGAD, etc.), that acts as an effective bridge to the opportunities in Africa and
the Indian Ocean Rim. Thus, Kenyas engagement in economic partnerships with
China, India, Russia, etc., is geared to support this role and other policy goals.
In addition, it has now the added advantage of having the globally indispensable
and highly valued energy resources (oil and gas) that India and other Asian indus-
tries and consumers need. Kenya thus envisions the combined factor of
geopolitics and its role in regional blocs, becoming key drivers of its economic
prosperity.
Kenya is, however, keenly aware that its economic prosperity hinges on
security both on land and on the Indian Ocean Rim. Peacekeeping and peace-
building is therefore, indispensable to Kenyas economic strategy. In this respect,
Indias role in securing the Indian Ocean Rim is crucial and Kenya is desirous
to partner with it. A secure Indian Ocean is not only vital to global trade, but is
especially critical to East Africa and Indias economic development.
Role of Diplomacy in KenyaIndia Relations

The Kenya Foreign Affairs Office in Nairobi, in conjunction with its various
embassies and consulates around the world, remains a key co-ordinating institu-
tion and player in diplomatic negotiations and in promoting economic, socio-
cultural and political interests of the country. Through the diplomatic missions
and offices, various communication strategies such as website marketing of
trade and investment opportunities in Kenya, political image building and tourism
promotions are employed.
For instance, in India, through the websites of the Kenya diplomatic mission in
New Delhi and Consulate in Mumbai, it provides strategically branded informa-
tion on Kenyas attractiveness as a tourist destination, centre for commerce, trade
and investment opportunities among other issues.22 Furthermore, to encourage
development of tourism, which is the leading foreign exchange earner for
the country, it has also waived visa requirement for Indians visiting Kenya.
Diplomatic missions also facilitate Kenyas participation and exhibition of its
products at International Trade Fairs of the host countries.
Kenyas economic diplomacy stresses partnerships to increase market access,
reduce marginalisation, increase capital flow and enhance technological advance-
ment. In promoting economic development, Kenyas external policy seeks to
improve the market competitiveness of its products beyond its traditional part-
ners; and strengthen strategic economic co-operation including working through
regional groupings, as well as enhance technological advancement as a way of
ensuring a competitive edge in the world market. Kenya is therefore adopting
new strategies of keeping pace with technological changes particularly in the
spheres of information and communication while seeking alternative sources of
reasonably priced and appropriate technology.23

In order to achieve its foreign policy objectives, Kenya is strategically utilising

economic and other forms of diplomacy on multiple fronts. Towards this end,
Kenya has not only sought to expand access to traditional markets but has also
initiated new destinations for its products in emerging non-traditional markets
in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. The country also seeks to
enhance technological advancement by exploring new sources of affordable and
appropriate technology, such as those availed by India. It has, in particular, accel-
erated and become a champion for strengthening economic integration at the
regional (especially the EAC) and continental levels, with a view to creating pow-
erful regional economic blocs that could exert global influence; break the trap
of economic marginalisation and effectively compete in the emerging global
markets. On this, Kenya views its prospects for prosperity as intertwined with
the stability and prosperity of its neighbours. Kenya also actively participates in
negotiating just and equitable rules and frameworks of international trade at the
World Trade Organization (WTO), especially for weaker African economies.24
Kenyas economic diplomacy is anchored on a number of key economic
institutional frameworks and processes that include: (a) the Export Promotion
Council whose role is to develop and promote export trade, by addressing chal-
lenges faced by exporters and producers of export goods with a view to improve
the performance of the export sector; (b) the Kenya Investment Authority whose
mandate is to promote investments in Kenya by facilitating implementation
of new investment projects, providing after care services for existing invest-
ments and organising investment promotion activities both at the local front and
internationally; (c) the Export Processing Zones Authority whose main mandate
is to integrate Kenya into the global supply chain and attract export-oriented
investments in the zones for employment creation and expansion and diversifica-
tion of exports (Omondi, 2011). To fully exploit the vast potential for develop-
ment co-operation with the fast-growing Indian economy and boost the volume of
KenyaIndia trade, Kenyas diplomatic strategy has been to employ the nego-
tiating bilateral forums provided by the IndiaKenya Joint Trade Committee
(JTC) and the IndiaKenya Joint Business Council (JBC). For example, in a
meeting of the JTC held in 2010, the Committee agreed to co-operate in power
and energy generation, infrastructure, scientific and industrial research sectors
(Ministry of External Affairs, 2013). The Kenyan Government also requested
for US$ 30 million credit for industrial development in the country (Ministry
of External Affairs, 2013). In addition, Kenya also actively participates in multi-
lateral co-operation forums like the East African CommunityAsian Forum,
the G-15 Countries, the ASEAN, the AsiaAfrica sub Regional Organizations
Conference, The New AsianAfrican Strategic Partnership (NSP) and the Asia
Africa Summit. The emergence of the IOR-ARs also gives Kenya a powerful
instrument of co-operation in the larger Indian Ocean Rim. Further, particip-
ation in these forums has enabled Kenya to benchmark on the experiences of
Asian countries which have contributed to their exceptional economic progress
(Ministry of External Affairs, 2013).

106 Maria Nzomo
Kenya also engages with India within the framework of Regional Integration
Initiatives, such as the East African Community (EAC); Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Caribbean and PacificEuropean
Union (ACPEU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and
Indian Ocean RimAssociation for Regional Cooperation. Being the regional
hub for trade and finance in East Africa puts Kenya in a strategic position in its
engagement with India. Furthermore, due to its strategic location along the Indian
Ocean and the Lake Victoria shore, Kenya remains a huge gateway to many
landlocked countries stretching from the Horn to Central Africa. Kenya is diplo-
matically utilising this geopolitical importance in the region to advance its interests
in the region and with other external partners such as India. In particular, Kenya
benefits from taxes and revenues levied on transit goods to and from the region
while India saves on the extra expense of sourcing for the goods from distant states
in the East African region. Kenya is, however, keenly aware that its development
is tied to that of its regional neighbours, as well as that of the global economic
system, including India (Wanyama, 2013).
Diaspora Diplomacy
Kenya has also adopted Diaspora Diplomacy as a foreign policy strategy to
harness the mounting number of Kenyan Diaspora (in India and elsewhere) as
a critical constituency and resource that fetches huge foreign exchange revenue
through remittances (Wanyama, 2013), but has also an enormous capacity for
marketing Kenya as an excellent tourist destination. Towards this end, Kenya is
improving the provision of consular services within its diplomatic missions to
facilitate and incentivise Kenyans in the diaspora. Among structures to be created
are Honorary Consuls who would be mandated to reach out and provide closer
proximity to its citizens abroad (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya, 2007).
Conclusion
This article has shown that Indias relationship with East African states is unique
in its own way. It demonstrates that, on the one hand, the core principles inform-
ing Indias diplomatic strategy in its relations with East Africa are anchored on
a strong sense of continuity with the principles of peaceful coexistence, based
on political history of solidarity, mutual respect, non-aggression, reciprocal
non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, as adopted by the 1955 Bandung
Conference, and reaffirmed in 2005, as the basis of the New AsianAfrican
Strategic Partnership. Framed within the language of SouthSouth development
co-operation, the economic relations are based primarily on economic, technical
and cultural partnership and co-operation for mutual benefit. Such an approach,
emphasising partnership, demonstrates some continuity with the post-colonial
language of political and moral solidarity. On the other hand, underlying this

soft diplomatic strategy, are hard core security, economic and power interests
that are the driving force for East AfricaIndia engagement in the rapidly globalis-
ing and highly competitive world of the twenty-first century, with new issues,
threats and multiplicity of actors. In this brave new world, IndiaEast Africa
engagement has been substantive, business-led and more pragmatic rather than
ideological; driven mainly by security, economic and power imperatives and less
by official rhetoric of SouthSouth political solidarity.
The article has underscored how the main drivers of IndiaEast Africa rela-
tions have meshed an assorted mixture of inter-related political, strategic and
economic factors to advance their respective national interests. India on the one
hand, is exploiting its historical ties with Africa, along with its new modes of
economic and security support for the African development agenda. In turn India
expects to secure and receive African support for its own national and inter-
national economic, security and power ambitions in the new global circumstances
characterised by economic interdependence and the pursuit of status and influ-
ence in the international system. East African countries on the other hand, have in
their relations with India, sought to overcome their global economic marginalisa-
tion and dependence, attain sustainable development and human security, as well
as become influential actors in global interactions.
India has received a lot of goodwill from the East African states due to the
large diaspora population it has in these countries, especially in Kenya, Uganda
and Tanzania. Furthermore, its history of political solidarity with Africa in the
liberation struggle; the non-aligned movement; the 1970s NorthSouth dialogue
and the SouthSouth co-operation initiatives, has largely worked in its favour in
East Africa. Furthermore, unlike China, the business investment and development
projects India undertakes in the region mainly employ East African citizens. It
also offers training to East African professionals so as to ensure the sustainability
of the projects it establishes such as the telemedicine centres. This portrays India
as a more genuine donor to East Africans and gives it an advantage over other
donor partners such as the EU, USA and China, all of whom are competing for the
large East African market, strategic energy and human resources. India also has
affordable and quality technology resources that East African countries need to
fast track their development agendas. It also offers a large and alternative market
for some of the products produced in East Africa.
For India to further enhance its relations with East Africa, its policy approach
may also need to shift from reactive to proactive, especially in respect to China.
For example, it has not been lost on observers, that only in the last decade, espe-
cially since 2008, did India start taking a keen interest in Africa; two years after
Chinas strong presence on the continent, following the globally visible third
Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing in November
2006. India should therefore be mindful and take measures to ensure that it does
not lose its goodwill and become bracketed among the neo-colonialists driving
the second scramble for Africa.

108 Maria Nzomo
Another important issue to be noted is the glaring trade imbalance in favour of

India vis--vis its East African partners, that is likely to pose a challenge to the
two parties long term economic relationship, unless it is nipped in the bud and
conclusively addressed. In this connection, although overall trade between India
and Africa more than doubled between 2006 and 2011 (Baynton-Glen, 2012) it
remains tipped heavily in favour of India. To address this challenge, African states
will have to devise better bargaining strategies vis--vis rising powers such as
India, in order to bolster their own vision of development in a manner that works
in their favour rather than that of their external partners. To optimise partnership
with India, East African states need to boost their own power base, by inter alia,
fast tracking and strengthening their regional integration initiatives to serve as a
bargaining instrument for more effective and beneficial economic engagements,
especially for equitable terms and balance of trade. In this regard, the East African
countries are now in a strategic bargaining position from which they can leverage
on the recently discovered energy resources (oil, gas, uranium, etc.) in their
respective countries to secure better terms of trade with India, which badly needs
these resources for its rapidly growing industries.
The article has also underscored the role of the diasporas and diaspora diplo-
macy, as an economic asset and a diplomatic tool for advancing national interests;
marketing and image building and branding. Despite this, state-sponsored effort
to harness diaspora Indians in Africa remains a challenge in IndiaEast Africa
engagement, due to the uneven nature of Indias relations with overseas Indians
and the fact that the diasporas have dual or multiple racial identities. This renders
official Indian efforts to promote African and diaspora diplomacy more complex
and less straightforward than the Government of India might wish. Similarly,
Kenya and other East African countries have also encountered challenges in
seeking to integrate and harness the Indian diasporas in their respective countries.
Despite more than a century of residing in Africa, the Indian diaspora population
in Africa has not integrated well with the indigenous Africans, due primarily to
barriers erected by cultural rigidity, intolerance and economic competition
(Kwama, 2013). Perhaps for the same reason, Kenya and East Africas diaspora
population in India, remains small, consisting primarily of students and other tem-
porary migrants who visit India seeking health and other social services. A related
challenge arises when some Indian diasporas in African countries such as Kenya,
are linked to corruption and other economic crimes or with marketing of poor and
substandard products in the host country.25 This negatively affects economic co-
operation,26 as was the case when an Indian company exported low quality Jeeps
to Kenya.
Balancing relations with both China and India also poses a challenge for both
India and some East African countries, especially Kenya (Kwama, 2013).27 The
fact, however, is that Kenya co-operates with both India and China, on matters
of security at the Indian Ocean Rim. This diplomatic posture may not please
either of the two competing Asian powers, who are both keen on controlling the
strategic Indian Ocean resources.

Notes
1. The Eastern African region comprises of 20 states of the easterly region of the African
continent, variably defined by both geography and geopolitics. Five of these, namely,
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundicomprise the Great Lakes region
and are members of the East African Community (EAC). Others include: South Sudan,
Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Runion and Mayotte.
2. The five EAC members separately also belong to at least two of the following African
regional blocs: COMESA, SADC, ECCAS and IGAD.
3. Geopolitically, Kenya occupies a central and an influential position in the context of
EAC relations; is economically stronger and serves as the main gateway for all the
members, except Tanzania.
4. Government of Kenya, Foreign Policy of Kenya (Draft), Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Nairobi, 2007.
5. Address by Vice President at the 50th Anniversary Summit of OAU/AU in Addis
Ababa, 25 May 2013 http://mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/21747
6. http://www.indiaafricasummit.nic.in/?1200 Address by the Indian Prime Minister at
the Plenary Session of the Second Africa-India Forum Summit, 24 May 2011.
7. Address by Indias Vice President at the 50th Anniversary Summit of OAU/AU in
Addis Ababa, 25 May 2013; http://mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/21747
8. 2011 Second IndiaAfrica Forum Summit, Addis Ababa, 2425 May 2011, http://
www.indiaafricasummit.nic.in/?1200. Address by PM at the Plenary Session of the
Second Africa-India Forum Summit, 24 May 2011.
9. http://www.top10always.com/top-10-largest-army-of-the-world/
10. http://www.minaffet.gov.rw/index.php?id=917
11. Rwanda-India Strengthen Bilateral Ties, The New Times, Kigali, 16 February
2012.
12. See proceedings of IndiaAfrica Forum Summits of 2008 and 2011.
13. Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Statement made During the Visit to
India by President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, September 2012.
14. IndiaTanzania Business Promotion Council www.assocham.org/international/india-
bilateral.../46.-tanzania.docx; http://www.assocham.org/international/india-bilateral-
trade/46.-tanzania.docx
15. IndiaTanzania Business Promotion Council www.assocham.org/international/india-
bilateral.../46.-tanzania.docx; http://www.assocham.org/international/india-bilateral-
trade/46.-tanzania.docx
16. Indian companies including the Reliance Group, Bank of Baroda, Tanzindia Assurance
Company, TATA Africa Holdings (Tanzania) Ltd., Bharti Airtel, etc., are already doing
business in Tanzania. Tanzania is one of the largest beneficiaries under ITEC, and two
other Indian funded projects are under implementation: a small industry information
centre and a Centre of Excellence in ICT.
17. The High Commission of the Republic of Tanzania, New Delhi, India.
18. The High Commission of the Republic of Tanzania, New Delhi, India.
19. The most recent was the July 2013 visit to Kampala by an Indian sourcing delegation
of the Council for Leather Exports to identify suitable business partners.
20. There are over 30 different Indian Cultural Associations in Uganda that organise
various cultural and other events to enhance good multicultural relationships.

110 Maria Nzomo
21. Africa by Numbers: Assessing Market Attractiveness in Africa, Kennedy Report

2011 Ernst Young http://emergingmarkets.ey.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/
2012/11/Ernst-Young-Africa-by-Numbers-2012.pdf
22. http://www.kenyahicom-delhi.com/Default.aspxIn
25. Such cases include: Pattni in Goldenberg; Devani in Triton Oil Scandal; Pan Paper
Company mismanagement case that was run by an Indian firm Orient, a subsidiary of
Indian based Birla Company.
26. This was the case when RITES lost a government contract to revive the Railway
Transport sector in Kenya as the company was linked to corruption and mismanagement
of Tanzanias railway sector.
27. President Kenyatta is perceived by some to have closer ties with China than India.
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Foreign Policy and Insight on Africa

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Role of Foreign Policy/Diplomacy

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Indian Foreign Interests in Its Engagement

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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mutually beneficial trade and investment exchanges, financial and technical

As regards economic engagement, India is keen on benefitting from the expanded

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Furthermore, in its increased security co-operation with East Africa (Mwagiru

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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the development of infrastructure in Burundi to the tune of US$ 80 million credit

Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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Following the first IndiaAfrica Forum Summit (IAFS-I) in 2008, Uganda

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Kenyas Foreign Policy Interests

The Rationale of Kenyas Engagement with India

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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The Geopolitical Rationale

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Role of Diplomacy in KenyaIndia Relations

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In order to achieve its foreign policy objectives, Kenya is strategically utilising

Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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Another important issue to be noted is the glaring trade imbalance in favour of

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Insight on Africa, 6, 2 (2014): 89111

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21. Africa by Numbers: Assessing Market Attractiveness in Africa, Kennedy Report

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