In July 2025, India undertook a significant diplomatic outreach to the Global South, with high-level bilateral visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina, ahead of the BRICS Summit in Brazil. The agenda focused on pharmaceutical cooperation, critical minerals, digital technology, and South-South solidarity, underlining India’s commitment to a more equitable global order.

Sectoral Cooperation and Bilateral Upgrades

• India-Ghana Ties Elevated to Comprehensive Partnership: In Accra, India committed to assisting Ghana in becoming a “vaccine hub” for West Africa, highlighting collaboration in pharmaceuticals, healthcare delivery, and bio-manufacturing.
• Strengthening Health Systems in Trinidad and Tobago: A major MoU was signed on Indian pharmacopeia standards, aimed at expanding access to affordable, high-quality Indian generic medicines in the Caribbean region.
• Resource and Energy Cooperation with Argentina: India advanced cooperation with Argentina on critical minerals (especially lithium) and access to shale gas and oil, aligning energy security with mineral diplomacy.

Global South Focus and Multilateral Signalling

• Promotion of India-Led Multilateral Initiatives: India promoted platforms like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and International Solar Alliance (ISA) as low-cost, scalable solutions for Global South challenges.
• BRICS and IBSA as South-South Cooperation Anchors: India’s outreach reinforces its foundational role in multilateral blocs like BRICS and IBSA, which aim to re-balance the global governance framework in favour of the Global South.
• Shared Colonial Histories and Non-Aligned Legacy: Common experiences of colonial subjugation and participation in the Non-Aligned Movement form the historical basis for continued collaboration on equity, sovereignty, and development.

Diaspora Engagement and Geopolitical Balancing

• Reaffirmation of Diaspora as a Strategic Asset: India deepened its cultural diplomacy in Trinidad and Tobago by acknowledging the contributions of the Indian diaspora, particularly descendants of 19th-century indentured labourers.
• Engagement Despite Divergences on Global Conflicts: India continues strong bilateral relations with these nations despite differing views on Ukraine and Gaza, reflecting maturity in issue-based diplomacy.
• Vision for a More Inclusive Global Order: The overall strategic vision is to challenge the inequities of the existing international system by building alternative mechanisms that reflect developing countries’ interests.

Practice Question:

“India’s recent outreach to the Global South signals a shift in diplomatic emphasis from reactive diplomacy to proactive strategic engagement.” Examine this shift in the context of bilateral and multilateral developments in 2025.         (250 words)