Prime Minister Modi’s Outreach:
- PM Modi’s visits to Nigeria and Guyana reflect India’s evolving foreign policy and its commitment to collaboration, understanding, and mutual growth.
- The visits aim to strengthen India’s relationships with Africa and the Caribbean.
India-Nigeria Relations:
- India and Nigeria share a historical bond rooted in anti-colonial struggles and post-independence solidarity.
- Nigeria is a major player in the global energy market, and India is one of its largest trading partners, with $15 billion in two-way trade in 2021-2022.
- Major exports from India to Nigeria include medicines, machines, and fabrics, while Nigerian crude oil is imported by India.
- India also helps enhance Nigeria’s defense capabilities.
India-Guyana Relations:
- Guyana holds strategic importance in the Caribbean, with India offering educational support through scholarships, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives under the ITEC program.
- Guyana has become a key player in the global oil market with large offshore oil deposits.
- India is a major oil importer, with around 232.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil imported in the financial year 2023-2024.
Geopolitical Significance:
- PM Modi’s tour begins with Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, followed by Guyana, important in the Caribbean.
- The visits strengthen cultural and economic ties due to a long-standing Indian diaspora in both countries.
International Relations Theories:
- Realist perspective: The visits are seen as a strategic maneuver to improve India’s power and security, especially to counter competitors like China.
- Liberal perspective: The visits are seen as fostering economic interdependence and mutual economic cooperation, promoting global peace and stability.
- Constructivist perspective: Focuses on the shared identity and historical bonds that shape contemporary relations, transcending transactional dealings.
Challenges:
- Corruption and economic crises in Nigeria could pose threats to investments and security.
- India must ensure businesses are not hindered by these internal challenges.
Strategic Implications for India:
- The visits reflect India’s goal to assert itself as an ‘emerging great power’ in global politics.
- They signify a historical acknowledgment of shared narratives and alignment toward mutual goals in security, economic growth, and cultural diplomacy.
Overall Outcome:
- PM Modi’s outreach reflects India’s commitment to a future where collaboration, understanding, and mutual growth are central to global relations.
