Stranded Indians Cross Niger Border To Benin By Road

Relevance: GS 2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora; Prelims- Current events of International importance; Places in News

(Source: The Hindu, 08/18/23)

Click here for Daily Current Affairs

Why in the news?

• Recently, a group of Indians, including individuals from Kerala, who were stranded in Niamey, the capital of Niger, successfully crossed the border and reached Benin.
• Niger’s military last month removed President Mohamed Bazoum Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger's first democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960.

What are the issues faced by the Indians due to political instability in Niger?

• Safety Concerns: Political instability could potentially lead to safety concerns due to curfews, protests, and disruptions in daily life for Indians, living or traveling in the country.
• Business and Investment: Political instability can negatively affect business operations and investments. Indian businesses operating in Niger may face disruptions in their operations, supply chains, and interactions with local authorities.
• Communication and Services: Political instability might lead to disruptions in communication networks, transportation, and basic services, affecting the daily lives of foreign nationals.

Why did Nigeria's military stage a coup to oust President Bazoum?

• Insurgent attacks: The country’s leadership was unable to stop insurgent attacks despite the increase in foreign forces, especially from the US and France.
• The terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and BokoHaram operate in the south-west near Malian and southeast near the Nigerian borders
• According to the Global Terrorism Index 2023, Niger experienced the sixth-highest civilian death toll in insurgent attacks in 2022, with 198 people losing their lives.
• Insecurity: The large number of foreign military troops and bases in the country has not been well received by the military.
• Anti-French sentiments in Niger have been rising since mid-2022, following the approval of France's Barkhane force redeployment after its initial withdrawal.
• Socio-economic issues: Declining economic prospects like rise inflation and corruption, and food insecurity
• Ethnicity and legitimacy of President: President Mohamed Bazoum Bazoum is from Niger’s ethnic Arab minority and has always been labeled as having foreign origins.

What are the concerns?

• Terrorism: Foreign troops are stationed in Niger to fight Islamist insurgencies in West Africa's semi-arid Sahel region.
  • The Sahel is the vast semi-arid region of Africa separating the Sahara Desert to the north and tropical savannas to the south.
• The recent coup will embolden the terrorist groups in the region.
• Nuclear reserves: According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium and has Africa's highest-grade uranium ores.
• Niger is the provider of 15 percent of France’s uranium needs and accounts for a fifth of the EU’s uranium stock.
• According to Euratom, Niger supplies 25.4 percent of Uranium to the EU countries. The coup has raised a new uncertainty over Niger’s Uranium export.
• Growing Russian influence: After the coup, protests in Niamey saw some waving Russian flags and chanting pro-Russian slogans.
• Niger may be leaning towards Russia as an alternative partner similar to Mali and Burkina Faso, as West African military governments prefer Russia's security partnership without conditions over the West's emphasis on democratic norms. This raises concerns about Russia's influence in the region.

India-Niger relations

• India opened its Embassy in Niamey in May 2009, and Niger established its Embassy in New Delhi in November 2011.
• Trade: The main items exported from India to Niger include Rice, Cotton, Pharmaceutical products, Engineering goods, electrical appliances, cotton fabrics, garments, processed cereals/food items, Sugar, Sugar confectionary, Construction material, artificial jewelry etc.
• The main items being exported from Niger to India are Gum Arabic, Resins and other Vegetable saps and extracts, semi-precious stones, Oil seeds (Sesame), misc. grains, goat skins. Etc. The bilateral trade in 2021-22 stood at 101 Million dollars.
• Indian investments in Niger: Airtel Cellular Services, Euroworld International, Jai Mata di Trading, Satguru Travels, Qualis Beverages.
• Indian community: There are around 200 Indian nationals residing in Niamey. They are largely engaged in trading, hospitality, and service sectors.

(*Click this link to read prelims specific weekly current affairs articles)

FAQs

MCQ

Question can be asked in this format in UPSC prelims on Borders of Niger,Benin

Question: Consider the following countries: (UPSC-2022)

1. Azerbaijan
2. Kyrgyzstan
3. Tajikistan
4. Uzbekistan
5. Turkmenistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 3, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5