There's no doubt that India and China are the two rising economic giants in the East that will dominate the world economy during this millennium. Both countries are growing at a remarkable speed and are trying to have a firm foothold on the world market.

China, unlike India, is moving faster for influence in Africa. The figures speak for themselves. China has invested more than $ 70 billion in Africa. This is more than 10 times what India has done. China is building roads, hospitals, universities, ports, housing complexes and huge projects like the Tianli all over the continent.

A team from China was in Mauritius and wants to invest in two major projects , the expansion and development of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and the construction of a dream bridge in Port Louis. It also expressed its intention to use the island as a springboard into Africa’s market, especially in the financial services sector.

China even organised an Africa-China Summit two years before even India thought about it. It put up a grand show in Beijing.   Skyscraper-length cut-outs of giraffes adorned the venue. India also came up with a summit this year. The venue lacked the appeal that it should have had. My New Delhi contacts say it was a drab conference that lulled people to sleep.

India seems satisfied with its offer of  services and advice on IT. It's happy sending peacekeepers to countries like Sierra Leone and Somalia but is doing practically very little to expand its spheres of influence over Africa. If India really wants its presence to be felt in Africa, it will have a lot of catching up to do to stand up to China.