India Japan's plan for Africa

While China has been able to attract all global powers towards its OBOR initiative, this increases tensions for India from various viewpoints. Japan also faces similar fate as India in terms of relations with China (Senkaku Islands dispute) and a foe’s foe is a friend. Let the issue develop further and we will discuss it in detail once some op-eds come up related to it.
From UPSC perspective, following things are important:
Prelims level:  Asia Africa Growth Corridor, Mombasa port ☞ (Mark it on map and note related geographical features)
Mains level: India Africa relations. Also try to explore them from the prism of China and Japan involvement in African subcontinent and what it means for India. India Japan relations. India and Japan have been partners for a long time and Japan has provided assistance to India in multiple fields.
 News:
India and Japan unveiled a vision document for the Asia Africa Growth Corridor, proposed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries last November
Proposal for growth corridor was presented to the Board of Governors of African Development Bank
More details are likely to be firmed up by September in time for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to New Delhi
Different from OBOR:
Unlike China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) project, about which India has raised several concerns, the Asia Africa Growth Corridor is conceived as a more open and inclusive programme that will be based on more consultations and keep people as the centre piece rather than just trade and economic ties
Four key elements:
Enhancing capacity and skills
Building quality infrastructure and connecting institutions
Development and cooperation projects in health, farming, manufacturing and disaster management and
People-to-people partnerships
Important partners in mutual growth:
Corridor will facilitate greater trilateral or triangular cooperation among Japan, India and Africa as a win-win-win
As African countries continue to grow against the background of their abundant resources and growing population, they are becoming important partners of Japan and India with deeper relationships, politically and economically
Greater synergy is expected to emerge between Japan’s technology and capital and India’s strong network and experiences in Africa
Greater cooperation sought:
Japan’s Ambassador also called for greater cooperation between Indian and Japanese firms in furthering Africa’s development
He urged Indian investors to participate in the new economic zone coming up around Kenya’s Mombasa port with Japan’s assistance

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