India and Global South

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a five-nation tour, including participation in the BRICS Summit in Brazil and bilateral visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia. The visit underscores India's strategic focus on strengthening ties with the Global South and reinforcing its commitment to a multipolar world order.

What is the Global South?

• Refers to developing countries primarily in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania.
• Characterized by higher poverty, limited industrialization, colonial legacies, and underrepresentation in global governance.
• Contrasted with the Global North – developed, industrialized nations in Europe, North America, Japan, and Oceania.

The Brandt Line

• Proposed by Willy Brandt (1980s) to depict global economic inequality.
• An imaginary North-South divide between rich and poor nations.
• Most Global South countries lie below the Brandt Line, in the Southern Hemisphere.

India’s Historical Role in the Global South

• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India was a founding leader; promoted strategic autonomy during Cold War.
• Group of 77 (G-77): India helped form this bloc to give developing countries a voice at the UN.
• Stockholm Conference 1972: India advocated Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), Polluter Pays, and Sustainable Development

Shift in India’s Policy Post-Cold War

• Reduced engagement with NAM and G-77.
• Deepened ties with Global North (e.g., US, EU, Japan).
• Greater focus on strategic interests (e.g., India–US Civil Nuclear Deal).
• Increasing participation in new forums like BRICS, SCO, ASEAN.

Challenges Faced by the Global South

• Underrepresentation in institutions like UNSC, IMF, World Bank.
• Public Debt Crisis – as per UNCTAD, debt in developing nations is rising at double the rate of the Global North.
• Weak dispute resolution in WTO; marginalization in global financial frameworks.
• Diverging ideologies with the West on democracy, rights, and climate action.
• Impact of geopolitical conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war) worsening food and energy insecurity.

India as the Voice of the Global South – Key Initiatives

• New Delhi Declaration (G20 2023): Included Global South priorities – debt relief, climate justice, gender equality.
• Inclusion of African Union in G20: Pushed by India for greater representation.
• Voice of Global South Summit (2023): 120+ countries participated; built solidarity among developing nations.
• Vaccine Maitri: Supplied COVID-19 vaccines/medicines to 90+ Global South countries.
• BRICS Expansion to BRICS Plus: India supported inclusion of African, West Asian, and Latin American nations.
• Climate Justice Advocacy: Strong leadership at COP28, including support for Loss and Damage Fund.

Hurdles in India’s Global South Leadership

• UNSC Seat Opposition: Coffee Club (including Global South members) resists G4 expansion.
• Neglect of NAM and G-77: Leads to weakening of old alliances.
• China’s Dominance: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) overshadows Indian efforts.
• Irregular Engagement: No India–Africa Summit post-2018; absent at Pacific Island Summit 2023.
• "Big Brother" Perception: Allegations of interference in internal matters (e.g., Maldives’ “India Out” campaign).
• Slow Project Delivery: Delays in key projects like Kaladan and Asia–Africa Growth Corridor reduce credibility.

Way Forward:

• Create a Global South Development Bank: To rival Chinese financing models and increase Indian soft power.
• Revive NAM and G-77 Engagement: Increase high-level political participation and relevance.
• Improve Infrastructure Project Delivery: Focus on time-bound execution of development partnerships.
• Promote Mutual Respect Diplomacy: Avoid coercive tactics; build trust-based relationships.
• Institutionalize Regular Summits: Reinstate and expand India–Africa and India–Pacific Island
• Capacity Building Focus: Share Indian expertise in MSMEs, digital infrastructure, climate resilience, health, and food security.