E-Paper
Country profile: Other Countries of Africa
Limited Indian emigration to other parts of Africa, took place mainly after the conclusion of agreements between the British Government and "the metropolitan countries for recruiting Indian indentured labour.
Limited Indian emigration to other parts of Africa, took place mainly after the conclusion of agreements between the British Government and "the metropolitan countries for recruiting Indian indentured labour. Barring East and South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion, the Indian presence in countries like Angola, Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, Namibia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan etc. is comparatively limited or negligible.
Indian emigration to what was once the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania), as well as the then Northern and Southern Rhodesia (Zambia/ Zimbabwe) was necessitated in the 19th century by the British colonial empire's extension to Africa. From the 1970s-80s onwards, Indian professionals also began heading towards the more prosperous countries like Botswana and Nigeria.
Indian labour was recruited originally to lay railway lines to facilitate economic exploitation of the vast resources of the interior, during the course of which several thousands of them died. A large number of 'free' emigrants - Gujarati Hindus and Muslims - followed. Over the years the Indian community attained relative prosperity and became politically active in their quest for equality, first in Kenya, and then in Uganda and Tanganyika.
In 1914 the East African Indian National Congress was established in Mombassa with branches in the other two countries. It encouraged joint action with the indigenous African community against the colonial powers. Formation of trade unions and establishment of their own press critical of the inequality meted out to non-whites soon attracted the ire of the British authorities, which made vigorous and unfortunately partially successful attempts to create dissension between the two non-white communities.
Following independence in the early 1960s, the Indian community in the region faced a fresh round of hardship as the new African governments launched Africanisation or affirmative action programmes. Several Kenyan Indians opted for British or Indian citizenship, while in 1972 President Idi Amin expelled all Ugandan citizens of Asian origin.
From a total of 360,000 in the early 1960s, the Indian Diaspora in East Africa today numbers 200,000 only - with 100,000 in Kenya, around 90,000 in Tanganyika, and 7,500 in Uganda.
The position of Indians in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, which adopted a more moderate policy following their independence towards the Indian community, is relatively better. In Madagascar, its economic position has started to improve in the last few decades. The Indian connection with Mozambique, Indian community there also occupies a prominent position in civic and political life.
Both communities co-exist harmoniously with other ethnic groups. Mauritius' current importance to India stems from its geographical proximity and strategic location. Mauritius ranks amongst our largest foreign investors following the conclusion of a bilateral Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation that has enabled foreign investors to establish offshore companies on the island.
Mauritians of Indian origin, who originated primarily from the Bhojpur district of Bihar, harbour a commitment to maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage. The Indian community in both islands is active in promoting Indian culture and Indian festivals. It is important for India to maintain the excellent relations it enjoys with Mauritius and take further steps to cement its ties with Mauritians of Indian origin as also with PIOs in Reunion.
