The ongoing war between the US/Israel and Iran illustrates how structurally sensitive global energy flows are. India is extremely vulnerable to turbulence in global energy markets, as it imports approximately 88% of its crude oil requirements. The strategic significance of the crisis is inherited in the location of global energy flows. About a fifth of the world’s supply of petroleum liquids is transported through the Strait of Hormuz which also interconnects the Persian Gulf with the global shipping routes. Any escalation having the involvement of Iran can lead to significant price fluctuations across international markets and risks disrupting oil shipments. Since a significant chunk of this energy flow is intended for the Asian consumers, Asian economies such as India are especially subject to vulnerability. Thus, the West Asia conflict is also a wake-up call for India. It must focus on diversifying its energy sources. The African nations, in this context, are becoming increasingly important strategic partners

 

At the same time, African diplomacy has been undergoing a significant change. Many countries of the African continent have prioritised a more practical approach to respective foreign policies that emphasise strategic flexibility and economic stability over ideological orientation in response to recent global crises such as Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in West Asia. African countries have placed more stress on creating a diplomatic balance and engagement with multiple partners than simply identifying with one of the rival geopolitical blocs. This showcases the real picture of a more multipolar global order as the developing nations seek to avoid being involved in the great-power rivalries and diversify their economic partnerships. This practice is highlighted by the unfolding of recent diplomatic responses. Nations like Nigeria and South Africa have pursued a balanced diplomatic stand which is aimed to safeguard economic interests and international partnerships whereas the African Union has repeatedly called for moderation and dialogue in global conflicts.

 

It’s quite evident from the recent events of global crises, even in the Russia-Ukraine war, a considerable number of African countries chose not to align with any of the competing geopolitical blocs. Rather, they prioritised diverse partnerships and economic stability. The following illustrations are indicative of a broader shift in African diplomacy as it moves towards pragmatic economic statecraft from the ideological affiliations as the practical approach enables the respective governments of the African countries to preserve diplomatic autonomy while optimising economic opportunities in the ongoing competitive international environment. Thus, they focus comparatively more on energy security, protecting trade flows and investment partnerships instead of geopolitical positioning as highlighted above. The flexible nature helps the African states in cooperation simultaneously with multiple countries including the European Union, China, emerging powers like India and Gulf states. If Africa’s diplomatic pragmatism is restructuring its global partnerships, the African continent’s growing energy sector is where this shift has the biggest ramifications for India.

 

As Africa is expanding its involvement in the world’s energy market, it is becoming more significant for India’s diversification strategy. The continent offers opportunities across the three crucial sectors of the future energy system, namely, renewable energy, oil and natural gas. African energy resources are increasingly becoming important as they offer geographic diversification away from the supply routes that are vulnerable such as the Strait of Hormuz. The West Africa region is still an important oil producing region. Two of the African continent’s top producer countries, Angola and Nigeria, have historically exported oil to the Asian markets including India. 

 

Since both the countries are looking to modernise their petroleum sectors and attract investment, Indian businesses can increase their participation in refining partnerships, energy infrastructure development and upstream exploration. There are possibilities for future energy collaboration between the producers of the African continent and Indian firms such as ONGC Videsh, which have already made investments in hydrocarbon projects around the African continent. 

 

The other probable natural gas frontier which has emerged is East Africa. Major LNG export projects are anticipated to be complemented by Mozambique’s offshore discoveries in the Rouvuma Basin, which is ranked among the biggest gas discoveries of the last 20 years or more. Mozambique offers opportunities for long-term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply investments and agreements partnership for India, as it is looking to increase the share of natural gas into energy mix as part of a lower-carbon transition.

 

The North African region is also an important player in the world gas markets as Algeria is still one of the African continent’s top producers of natural gas and a key exporter to the other nations. India could strengthen its policy of diversification by further extending the cooperation with Algeria through the exploration partnerships, trade of LNG and energy technology cooperation. 

 

Apart from hydrocarbons, Africa’s potential in renewable energy is gaining global attention. With suitable climatic conditions and increasing foreign investment, countries like Morocco and Namibia have showcased their vision for solar energy and green hydrogen production. Climate cooperation and long-term energy security can be supported through coordinated cooperation between the African partner in renewable technologies and India, such as green hydrogen development, energy storage and solar infrastructure. 

 

India has already made considerable progress in its wider collaboration with the African continent as whole. Today, data suggests that India and African nations engage in bilateral trade of more than $90 billion per year, showcasing the deepening of their economic and strategic ties. Strengthening ties with the African producers is one of the crucial component in fulfilling India’s long term energy plan to diversify its energy partnerships because for India, African energy partnerships not only offer resource diversification but geographic diversification too which is far from the vulnerable maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. 

 

When taken into consideration collectively, these developments highlight a convergence between India’s energy demands and Africa’s pragmatism. The deeper energy and economic cooperation is made possible through the openness of African countries to multiple numbers of players without any biased political alignment. In the shifting global energy system, Africa is emerging as a more strategic choice for India instead of just one among many. In contrast to West Asian economies, nations of the African continent provide diversification across resource types, political alignments and geography. Hence, to sum up the African continent’s intent to engage numerous partners supplementing its expanding renewable sectors, gas and oil makes it desirable for India’s long-term energy plans. India’s increasing engagement with Africa by hosting events like India-Africa Forum Summit and through development partnerships, trade and investment is a reflection of the strategic potential of Africa.

 

When global energy politics is becoming more uncertain day by day, India must put emphasis on deepening its ties with Africa in order to lower its over-dependency on the Gulf as well as to enhance supply resilience. The major takeaway which we can draw from the current geopolitical unrest is that the patterns of international cooperation are frequently reshaped by the global crises. The current instability in the West Asian region due to the US-Israel-Iran War reflects the vulnerabilities of conventional energy corridors, but at the same time, it focuses on the importance of diversification and strategic alliances. Owing to the growing geopolitical instability in the region of Gulf, India should widen its engagement outside the Gulf to secure its long-term energy security goals.