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By:

Dr. V.L. Dharurkar

12 February 2025 at 8:23:17 pm

The New India-Africa Compact

India’s engagement with Africa is entering a phase in which historical solidarity must increasingly be matched by economic substance. Shared experiences of colonialism and national liberation have long shaped relations between India and African countries. Mahatma Gandhi, whose political journey in South Africa helped shape his philosophy of non-violent resistance, remains an important symbol of this common history. Yet the future of the relationship will depend less on its moral inheritance...

The New India-Africa Compact

India’s engagement with Africa is entering a phase in which historical solidarity must increasingly be matched by economic substance. Shared experiences of colonialism and national liberation have long shaped relations between India and African countries. Mahatma Gandhi, whose political journey in South Africa helped shape his philosophy of non-violent resistance, remains an important symbol of this common history. Yet the future of the relationship will depend less on its moral inheritance than on its ability to deliver tangible benefits to both sides. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s five-day visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, from October 6 to 10, sought to advance precisely this transition. Its agenda encompassed trade, agriculture, defence, education, renewable energy, healthcare and digital infrastructure, while reinforcing India’s ambition to give the Global South a stronger voice in international affairs. The tour highlighted the breadth of India’s African engagement. New Delhi is seeking to build partnerships that extend beyond diplomatic declarations to encompass technology, investment, institutional cooperation and practical development. Beyond Historical Ties India’s relations with African countries rest on a substantial reservoir of goodwill. Its own freedom struggle, Gandhi’s legacy and the subsequent solidarity of developing countries have helped establish a political affinity that remains valuable. But historical connections alone cannot sustain a contemporary strategic partnership. African economies are pursuing industrialisation, infrastructure development, agricultural modernisation and greater technological capacity. India, meanwhile, is looking for markets, investment opportunities, reliable partners and wider support for reforming global institutions. These interests offer a basis for cooperation, provided that partnerships are designed around African priorities rather than merely India’s geopolitical ambitions. In Ghana, discussions focused on strengthening the comprehensive partnership established between the two countries in 2025. Jaishankar’s meetings with President John Mahama and other Ghanaian leaders provided an opportunity to explore areas in which bilateral cooperation could be expanded. Agriculture and academic collaboration featured prominently, with agreements intended to deepen research and institutional links. India’s agricultural research capabilities could prove useful to Ghana as it seeks to improve productivity, adapt cropping patterns to changing climatic conditions and strengthen food security. Such cooperation would be most effective if it moved beyond the exchange of expertise to encompass field-level research, technology transfer and training. Climate change is placing growing pressure on agricultural systems across the developing world. India and Ghana could benefit from sharing practical approaches to water management, resilient crops and sustainable farming. Ghana’s interest in closer engagement with the BRICS grouping also fits into the wider diplomatic context. For India, which has championed a greater role for developing countries in global governance, stronger African participation in emerging international platforms could broaden the coalition pressing for institutional reform. The significance of this engagement, however, will ultimately depend on concrete commitments and sustained cooperation. Trade and Investment Côte d’Ivoire, the second stop, offered a different but complementary set of opportunities. Jaishankar’s discussions with Foreign Minister Nialé Kaba centred on expanding bilateral trade, encouraging investment and exploring joint ventures. The ambition to increase trade towards $1.5 billion, as indicated in the account of the visit, points to the economic potential of the relationship. But trade targets are only a starting point. Particular promise lies in local production and processing. Instead of relying exclusively on the exchange of finished goods, Indian and Ivorian businesses could explore partnerships that create value within Côte d’Ivoire, generate employment and develop industrial capabilities. Ethiopia, the final destination, carries considerable diplomatic and strategic importance. Its position in the Horn of Africa and its role as host to the African Union make it a natural partner for India’s broader continental engagement. India’s experience in digital public infrastructure could be particularly relevant to Ethiopia’s development priorities. Cooperation in artificial intelligence, meanwhile, offers scope for training, research and the application of technology to public services. The proposed expansion of specialised training for Ethiopian officials, including in forensic science, media, governance and the development of women and children, could strengthen institutional capabilities. Defence and security cooperation also remain important, given the wider regional environment. Yet the Global South cannot become a meaningful force merely through declarations of shared identity. India must therefore demonstrate that its partnerships deliver measurable gains. India and Africa possess a formidable foundation of historical trust and contemporary common interests. The task now is to turn that foundation into a partnership of practical cooperation, mutual economic benefit and greater influence in a changing world. (The writer is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)

AI in Sperm Sorting: An Unbiased Decision for A Better Outcome

Writer: Dr. Ramnath Babu T J
Dr. Ramnath Babu T J
Nov 7, 2024
3 min read

Artificial Intelligence or AI is revolutionising fertility treatments of the future. The inclusion of AI enhances the accuracy, efficiency, and objectivity of sperm selection, hence potentially improving fertility outcomes by leaps and bounds. Traditionally, sperm sorting through manual methods is subjective to judgments. Processes like centrifugation and swim-up methods are used to separate sperm based on motility and morphology. Although they are effective, they have their limitations, leading to human errors that affect the success rates of fertility treatment. For instance, studies have shown that traditional sperm sorting techniques can have variability in success rates, with reported live birth rates ranging between 15 per cent to 25 per cent per cycle depending on the method and quality of sperm. Hence the introduction of AI helps in maintaining consistency in evaluations of sperm, using the same data set for every sample which leads to better judgments.


Automation and Standardisation- Automation of sperm selection and also introduction of AI in the process have improved the results in ART. AI-assisted sperm selection improves the accuracy in choosing high-quality sperm for fertilisation purposes, and also, pregnancy and live birth rates might be improved. Technologies like Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection along with AI ensure the chances of pregnancies increase by about 10-20 per cent compared to the standard procedures. AI and Automation will decrease time taken to analyze sperm and increase opportunities to select better sperm with DNA integrity for better development and higher success rates in embryo selection. These processes ensure that the sperm selection process follows consistent criteria, reducing variability in outcomes caused by human error.


Analysing Complex Data for Better Outcomes- AI plays a crucial in improving IVF outcomes by analysing complex data and providing tailored recommendations. AI-driven tools and models such as those on SpOvum.ai point towards an opportunity to optimise ovarian stimulation decisions by assessing patient characteristics and follicle growth patterns. A study revealed that the use of AI in IVF improved egg yield and reduced medication costs. AI enables fertility specialists to make data-driven choices, improving overall IVF success rates and streamlining treatment processes.


Reducing Human Error- AI models can continuously learn and refine their performance by being trained on newer data. This adaptability ensures the technology remains unbiased and up-to-date with the latest scientific insights into sperm quality and fertility success rates. Studies have shown that AI-driven sperm sorting can decrease human-related errors by up to 25 per cent, improving sperm selection quality in terms of morphology and motility.


Reduction of Sperm Damage- The new AI-driven sperm sorting techniques also include microfluidic systems that are known to exhibit several advantages over the most commonly used conventional method, which is centrifugation. Traditional centrifugation methods, such as density gradient centrifugation, also cause severe oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation of the sperm because of the very high mechanical forces involved. The AI-infused microfluidic sorting minimises this damage significantly by involving gentler processes that mimic the natural pathway of sperm selection. The studies show that the process of microfluidic sorting decreases DNA fragmentation in sperm, which gives improved opportunities for success for IVF. For example, DNA fragmentation is 20 percent lower in sperm sorted using microfluidic processes than in traditional processing methods.


AI is bound to play an increasingly definitive role in fertility treatments, which will improve the outcomes for couples experiencing infertility.


(The author is a Co-Founder & CEO at SpOvum® Technologies. Views personal.)

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