China and India as development actors

Guest lecture with Peter Kragelund, Assistant Professor, Department of Society and Globalisation, Roskilde University

The increased activities of China and India in several developing countries, especially in Africa, have been called 'the silent revolution in development assistance'. Especially in Western countries this is often presented in rather negative terms, and access to oil and natural resources is highlighted as the main driving factor behind Chinese and Indian activities. China and India on the other hand point to their increased focus on promoting economic development and fighting poverty in developing countries as a sign of them acting as 'responsible stakeholders' in the international system. How should we understand this increased role of China and India in developing countries? What are the driving factors behind? And what are the challengers for developing countries as well as for 'Western' donors and international development organisations?