India will post defence attaches in several African countries, including Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and strategically important Djibouti.
In a first, India will post defence attaches in several countries, with a focus on Africa, aimed at strengthening strategic ties and military diplomacy amid China’s increasing efforts to expand its influence in the African nations.
New Delhi will appoint new defence attaches in the African countries of Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and Djibouti. This decision is in line with India’s priority to expand its strategic engagement with the continent, news agency PTI reported.
This will be the second time that India will post an attaché for Djibouti, which holds maritime significance owing to being surrounded by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Many African countries have already expressed keen interest in obtaining Indian military platforms, equipment, and hardware, the PTI report added.
Furthermore, India will post defence attaches in the Philippines, Armenia, and Poland as well. New Delhi is also planning to rationalise its teams of military officials in its embassy in Moscow and high commission in London, PTI reported. A few of the defence attaches posted in these nations are set to be deployed in other regions as part of the rationalisation process.
As many as 16 defence attaches from the Indian Army, the Navy, and the Air Force will assume their new positions soon, PTI reported.
INDIA’S GROWING TIES WITH AFRICA
Over the past few years, India has established itself at the forefront, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South or the developing nations, especially the African continent.
India’s relationship with Africa saw an upward tick amid China’s consistent efforts to expand its influence in Africa. The induction of the 55-nation African Union as a permanent member of the G20 was seen as a major milestone in India’s presidency of the grouping of the 20 big economies of the world last year.