India and Global South- Explained Pointwise + Infographic

Right from India’s independence in 1947 to its presidency of the G20 in 2023, India shared a vision of being the voice of the Global South. India ensured to walk the talk with its focus on raising concerns of the Global South. The issues of Global South remain unaddressed as the countries of Global South are under-represented in the global forums.

What is Global South?

1) The Global South refers to countries often characterized as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped, primarily located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

2) These nations have higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and challenging living conditions compared to the wealthier nations of the Global North.

3) The Global North are richer nations that are located mostly in North America and Europe, with some additions in Oceania and elsewhere.

The Brandt Line divides the countries of Global North and the Global South

1) The Brandt Line was proposed by Willy Brandt in the 1980s.

2) It is an imaginary line that divides the world into richer countries (mainly in the Northern Hemisphere) and poorer countries (mostly in the Southern Hemisphere).

3) The line basically shows the socio-economic divide between northern countries and southern countries.

What is India’s Historical Association with Global South?

India shared its roots of colonial struggles and underdevelopment with the countries of Global South. Hence, under the leadership of PM Nehru, the newly Independent India took a leadership role in putting across the issues of the Global South.

1. Establishment of Non Alignment Movement– India played an active role in establishment of NAM. It represented the socio-economic and political priorities of the Global South. India also played a leadership role in drafting the NAM’s agenda of New International Economic Order to counter the dominance of Bretton Woods organisations.

2. Establishment of G-77- India also played a key leadership role in the establishment of G-77, which is a coalition of 134 developing nations at the UN. The main aim of G-77 was to present a single voice of the Global South at the UNGA, and all UN committees.

3. Stockholm Conference of 1972- India played a key role in voicing the concerns of Global South against Climate Change. India’s key leadership role in the conference led to the evolution of the principles of Sustainable Development (Brundtland Report), Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and the Polluters Pay Principles.

However, with the end of the Cold War and a domestic economic crisis, a new-found pragmatism began to emerge in the Indian foreign policy. India placed it’s own national economic and security interests above the ideals of justice and equity for Global South. This is indicated by the following examples-

1. Neglect of NAM after the Cold War- India sent NAM into a state of abeyance. In recent years, India’s engagement at NAM Summit has not been at the highest political level, with the Indian PM choosing to skip the 18th NAM Summit in 2019.

2. Deeper strategic relations with Global North- India has started developing closer strategic ties with the countries of Global North like US, EU, Japan. For Ex- India-US Civil Nuclear Deal.

3. New Multilateral Forum- India deepened its engagement with new multilateral fora like BRICS, SCO, ASEAN at the cost of G-77 and NAM.

However, with the growing economic and geopolitical heft of India, it has emerged as the Voice of Global South Once again.

How is India becoming the Voice of the Global South?

1. New Delhi Declaration- India used the G-20 presidency to build consensus among the G-20 members to include the issues of the Global South like debt financing, climate justice and gender equality in the New Delhi Declaration.

2. Expansion of G-20- India played a key role in giving Voice to Global South Members at the high table of G-20 by inclusion of African Union.

3. Voice of Global South Summit- India has been conducting the Voice of Global South Summit to build solidarity among the Global South countries, amidst the unprecedented challenges these countries are facing.

4. Vaccine Maitri- In the wake of COVID-19, India has played a key role in saving the lives of many in the Global South Countries by supplying free vaccine and medicines.

5. More representative multilateral fora- India has also played a key role in making other multilateral fora like BRICS, SCO more representative by inclusion of countries from the Global South. For Ex- BRICS transforming into BRICS PLUS.

6. Climate Justice- India has been playing a key leadership role in climate negotiations to promote the interests of Global South. For Ex- Recently established Loss and Damage Fund at COP28.

What are the headwinds which inhibit India from becoming a leader of the Global South?

1. UNSC Membership- India’s campaign for a permanent seat at UNSC as part of the G-4 group is opposed by the Coffee Club members which consist of Global south countries from Africa and Asia.

2. India’s neglect of NAM and G-77- India has been neglecting the oldest grouping of Global South, which has often caused breakdown of effective communication between the countries of Global South.

3. China Factor- China with its deep pockets has been splurging economic aid and developmental assistance to the countries of Global South. India has been locking horns with China to emerge as the leader of Global South.

4. Lack of Consistent Engagement- After launching summits with regions of Africa and Indo-Pacific, India has failed to engage with them on a constant basis. For Ex- No India-Africa Summit has been held since the three summits from 2015-2018. India also failed to show up at the Pacific Island Summit in Papua New Guinea in 2023.

5. Big Brother Attitude- India has been accused of meddling in domestic politics of the countries of Global South. This has attracted mistrust among these countries regarding India’s leadership role. For Ex- ‘India Out Campaign’ in the Maldives.

6. Delays in Project Implementation- India’s aim to become the ‘Voice of the Global South’ is also challenged by India’s incapacity to deliver on the development projects within the agreed time frame. For Ex- delays in Kaladan Project, Asia Africa Growth Corridor, etc.

What Should be the way Forward?

1. India’s own Development Bank- India must establish its own Development bank to provide development assistance to the Global South and emerge as an alternative to China.

2. Revival of NAM- India must revive the NAM forum in the post COVID world, which is seeing increased ideological divide & geopolitical conflicts like Ukraine-Russia War and Israel-Hamas wars.

3. Improved capacity to deliver projects- India must invest its energy and resources to improve the quality and timely delivery of its purported projects.

4. Shed the big brother attitude- India must shed its big brother attitude and build ties based on mutual trust and respect with the countries of Global South.

5. Continued summits- India must engage with the African nations and the Indo-Pacific nations by regularising the Indo-Africa summit.