​Key Dimensions of India’s Relations with East and South Africa

Energy Security

Energy cooperation with Africa became a critical component of the partnership from the 1990s. With higher growth rates in the era of liberalisation, India’s energy requirements increased dramatically and, consequently, its dependence on imports rose manifold. In 2010-11, import dependence for crude oil, coal, and natural gas was about 79 percent, 18 percent, and 15 percent, respectively. At the same time, the instability in the West Asian region prompted India to diversify their energy imports. Thus, Africa, with its proximity to India and its abundant energy reserves, became a particularly attractive source.

• India imports significant quantities of coal ....