The Political Economy of Land Grabbing: India’s 'Pan-African' Strategy

This paper analyzes the backdrop of India’s new “pan-African” activities in the context of land acquisitions or land grabbing. Since the last five to seven years, land grabbing has become an increasing global trend and the bone of contention for enormously polarized debates. Modern land grabbing means that disproportional seizes of land are bought or leased by foreign investors. These investors are mostly agricultural companies, investment trusts or private businesses. Although India is still far behind China in the new “scramble” for Africa, its efforts are visible, eminent and increasing. India finances a number of investment schemes programs aimed at economic cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa. One major issue for India’s “pan-African engagement” is energy security. However, the “outsourcing” of domestic food production by India can be explained by the Government’s growing concerns about food security, and its concerns about diminishing ground water tables in Northern and Central India.