The Indian Army is set to send DAs to Mozambique and Ethiopia, while the Indian Navy, which already has Naval Attaches (NAs) in Kenya and South Africa, will appoint new NAs to Djibouti and Tanzania. In addition to this, an Additional Air Attache (AA) will be assigned to Ivory Coast, with new Air Attaches to be stationed in Spain and Armenia. These appointees will serve a three-year tenure in their respective roles.
In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s ties with African nations, the Indian government has announced plans to deploy more Defence Attaches (DAs) in various African countries. These DAs will represent India’s defense establishment in foreign embassies and will include officers from all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces: The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, according to reports by newindianexpress.com.
The Indian Army is set to send DAs to Mozambique and Ethiopia, while the Indian Navy, which already has Naval Attaches (NAs) in Kenya and South Africa, will appoint new NAs to Djibouti and Tanzania. In addition to this, an Additional Air Attache (AA) will be assigned to Ivory Coast, with new Air Attaches to be stationed in Spain and Armenia. These appointees will serve a three-year tenure in their respective roles.
Multiple sources from the Indian Armed Forces have confirmed that there are ongoing considerations to create additional DA positions in various African countries. The Army and Indian Navy have expressed their commitment to increasing their diplomatic presence in Africa, stating that further deployments are likely as circumstances continue to evolve. It is worth noting that until recently, all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces maintained diplomatic envoys in more than 100 different Indian missions worldwide.
Commenting on the significance of this strategic move, Ruchita Beri, a Consultant with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi, highlighted the growing importance of India’s partnership with African nations over the past decade. She emphasized that the increased number of DAs in Africa will enhance security engagement with the continent and foster a better understanding of the security challenges faced by African countries, including transnational security issues, maritime concerns, and terrorism.
- In 2018, India approved the establishment of 18 new diplomatic missions in Africa over a four-year period, from 2018 to 2021
- This initiative aimed to expand the number of Resident Indian Missions in Africa from 29 to 47, facilitating enhanced diplomatic outreach and engagement with the Indian diaspora across the continent
- The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that this move aligns with India’s vision of strengthening cooperation with Africa and fostering deeper bilateral ties.
The decision to expand diplomatic representation in Africa aligns with India’s broader efforts to strengthen its historic ties with African nations and the African Union (AU), an organization comprising 55 member states representing the continent. India has played a crucial role in supporting the AU’s bid for permanent membership in the Group of 20 (G20), the world’s largest economies. Additionally, India has actively contributed to various sectors, including military, social, and economic development, to bolster long-term bilateral relationships with African nations. These initiatives are seen as a response to counter China’s rising influence in the region.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to collaborating with African nations to promote regional security, stability, and defense capabilities during the inaugural India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave. This important event brought together Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, representatives from 31 African nations, and other civil and defense dignitaries.
In 2018, India approved the establishment of 18 new diplomatic missions in Africa over a four-year period, from 2018 to 2021. This initiative aimed to expand the number of Resident Indian Missions in Africa from 29 to 47, facilitating enhanced diplomatic outreach and engagement with the Indian diaspora across the continent. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that this move aligns with India’s vision of strengthening cooperation with Africa and fostering deeper bilateral ties.
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