Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa

India-Kenya Partnership to Boost Africa’s Space Capabilities

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Key highlights of the conference

Mains level: India-Kenya Relations

Why in the News?

  • India has shown interest in partnering with Kenya to develop and expand Africa’s space capabilities for predicting and monitoring extreme weather events.
    • Kenya aims to be an active player in the global space economy, projected to grow significantly by 2035.

Conference Highlights and Recommendations

  • Conference Conclusion: Calls for more resources for sustainable space activities, including accurate weather and climate event monitoring.
  • Awareness and Innovations: The expo, themed ‘Space technology for societal benefits,’ aimed to raise awareness about space opportunities for societal benefits like climate change mitigation and socio-economic development.
  • Support for Private Sector: Experts recommended that African governments support private sector innovations for data commercialization and explore funding models to de-risk the space sector.
  • STEM Education: Emphasis on boosting national capabilities in space science, breaking entry barriers for women, and promoting STEM education.

India-Kenya Space Collaboration

The India-Kenya Space Collaboration particularly aims for:

  • Addressing Food Security: Space technology will be crucial for food security, providing accurate early warning systems for farmers and real-time monitoring for climate change mitigation.
  • Sustainable Development: Space technology integration offers enhanced data for informed decision-making, essential for Kenya’s sustainable development.
  • Regional Collaboration: Kenya is pursuing collaboration on peaceful uses of outer space with African countries such as South Africa, Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Ghana.
  • Capacity Development: Focus on developing indigenous capacity in space systems engineering and utilising space services for socio-economic development through joint projects.

Kenyan endeavours so far  

  • Earth Observation Centre: Plans to establish a Centre for Earth Observation at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre.
  • International Training Centre: Partnership with the Italian Space Agency to establish a Training Centre for Space Education, enhancing national and regional capabilities.

Back2Basics: India-Kenya Relations

Historical Ties:

  • Early Connections: Trade between India and the Swahili Coast dates back to ancient times, as documented in the ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’ (60 CE).
  • Colonial Era: Both nations share a legacy of struggle against colonialism, with Indian communities actively supporting Kenya’s freedom struggle.

Diplomatic Relations:

  • Establishment of Diplomatic Presence: India set up the office of Commissioner for British East Africa residents in Nairobi in 1948, and a High Commission was established following Kenya’s independence in 1963. An Assistant High Commission is also located in Mombasa.
  • High-Level Visits: Numerous high-level visits by Indian leaders, including Presidents and Prime Ministers, have strengthened bilateral ties.

Bilateral Trade:

  • Trade Agreement: The India-Kenya Trade Agreement signed in 1981 granted both nations Most Favoured Nation status.
  • Indian Exports to Kenya: Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, steel products, machinery, yarn, vehicles, and power transmission equipment.
  • Kenyan Exports to India: Soda ash, vegetables, tea, leather, and metal scrap.
  • Investment: India is the second-largest investor in Kenya, with over 60 major Indian companies operating in sectors like manufacturing, real estate, pharmaceuticals, telecom, IT & ITES, banking, and agro-based industries.

Development Cooperation:

  • Development Assistance: India provides loans, credit, and developmental support to Kenya, including capacity-building initiatives such as scholarships for Kenyan students.
  • Agricultural Support: India aids in agrarian development by supplying machinery and facilitating technology transfer.
  • Healthcare Contributions: India is a key supplier of pharmaceuticals to Kenya and has supported healthcare initiatives, including donating 1.12 million doses of the Covishield vaccine in 2021.
  • Environmental Conservation: Cheetahs under the reintroduction project are also being brought from Kenya.

Cultural and Diaspora Links:

  • Indian Community: Indians have a long-standing presence in Kenya, contributing significantly to its society and economy.
  • Official recognition: In 2017, the Kenyan government recognized the Indian descent as the 44th tribe of the country.

International Cooperation:

  • Common Interests: Both nations share interests in various international forums, including the Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement, and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
  • Regional Engagement: Kenya is an active member of the African Union, with which India has long-standing connections.

 

PYQ:

[2015] Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and cons. Critically Examine.

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