Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
03 August 2023 | 08:43am SAST
2 min read

Photo: University of Newcastle

China-Africa military ties, India’s geopolitical concerns in Sri Lanka, and Japan’s efforts to safeguard its elderly population took centre stage during this week’s Asia Report on Radio Islam International. Asia’s geopolitical landscape came into sharp focus as discussions centred around China’s growing military engagement with Africa and India’s strategic moves to counter Chinese influence in Sri Lanka.

Sanusha Naidoo shed light on the longstanding relationship between China and Africa in terms of military training and human resources capacity building. Naidoo highlighted that China and Africa have historically shared strong ties in human resources development, and military training has been an essential aspect of this relationship.

However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the flow of Chinese military training programs in Africa, leading to a decline in numbers. Despite this setback, the Chinese government is determined to resume military engagements with Africa, with plans to boost training capacities to pre-COVID levels.

The conversation also dispelled assumptions about China outdoing other Western actors like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France in military training in Africa. While China invests significantly in preparation and costs for training, the Western countries adopt a more cost-benefit approach, dispatching small teams for short-term training in African capitals.

Naidoo emphasised that Chinese military training programs extend beyond conventional training sessions. In addition to imparting military skills, China also offers insights into its own defence strategies. This comprehensive approach seeks to build an equitable and beneficial relationship with African nations.

It was clarified that despite China’s presence, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France still maintain a more substantial military footprint in Africa, boasting over 40 military bases combined. In contrast, China operates only one military base in Djibouti.

The interview then shifted its focus to India’s concerns regarding China’s expanding influence in Sri Lanka. The Indian government has recognised Sri Lanka as a crucial partner in its Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) strategy and is alarmed by China’s strategic partnership with the island nation.

China’s collaboration with Sri Lanka has been part of its Belt and Road Initiative, which includes constructing infrastructure like the Hambantota Port. This move has raised India’s security concerns, as it views China’s presence in the region as an encirclement strategy.

To counter China’s influence, India has been proactive in signing agreements and deals in energy and infrastructure with Sri Lanka. However, analysts caution that India’s efforts are not merely focused on helping Sri Lanka but also serve as a strategic move to protect its interests in the Indian Ocean.

The term “Triangle of Death” was introduced, referring to three ports in the region—Chittagong in Bangladesh, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and Gwadar in Pakistan—that are run by China. These ports, according to a Sri Lankan analyst, signify a geographical encirclement of India, adding to India’s perception of vulnerability.

The interview concluded with a discussion on Japan’s proposed measure to combat scams targeting elderly citizens. The National Police Agency suggested suspending the bank cards of anyone over the age of 65 who has not used their card for more than a year. While the intention behind this proposal is to protect vulnerable seniors, there are concerns about the potential hardships and burdens it may create in accessing financial resources for the elderly.

In summary, the radio interview provided a comprehensive analysis of the current geopolitical dynamics in Asia. It shed light on China-Africa military relations, India’s strategic concerns in Sri Lanka, and Japan’s efforts to safeguard its elderly population.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Muallima Annisa Essack here.