India strengthens Global South ties and leadership

Source: The post India strengthens Global South ties and leadership has been created, based on the article “India as a bridge between the Global North and South” published in “The Hindu” on 11th February 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The article explains India’s efforts to lead the Global South while strengthening ties with the West. It highlights India’s competition with China, its need for inclusive partnerships, human-centric development, and global governance reforms to become an effective global development leader.

For detailed information on India and Global South read this article here

Why is India Increasing Its Focus on the Global South?

India’s increasing focus on the Global South is driven by several key factors:

1. Strategic Positioning: India aims to establish itself as a leader in global governance reforms, advocating for the interests of developing nations, as emphasized by Prime Minister Modi at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit in 2024.
2. Balancing Global Powers: India is deepening ties with Western nations while countering China’s influence in regions like Africa, where both countries are heavily investing.
3. Building New Alliances: High-level visits, such as to Poland and hosting US officials, showcase efforts to forge new partnerships.
4. Alternative Development Model: The Global Development Compact highlights India’s approach, rooted in its own developmental experiences, promoting a partnership model rather than traditional donor-recipient dynamics.

Is India’s Approach Different from the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)?

1. Yes, India’s current approach differs from NAM. NAM was driven by decolonization and was often critical of the West.
2. Today, India is increasing its influence in the Global South while also strengthening ties with the U.S. and Europe.
3. High-level visits, such as Jake Sullivan’s (former U.S. National Security Adviser) visit to India in January 2025 and Modi’s visit to Poland in August 2024, show this shift.
4. Unlike NAM, India seeks inclusive partnerships rather than ideological divisions.

How Can India Be a Strong Development Partner?

1. Equal Partnerships, Not Just India-First Policies
2. India promotes equal partnerships with developing nations instead of following traditional donor-recipient models.
3. However, India’s ‘Global Development Compact’ focuses on strategies rooted in Indian experiences.
4. To be more effective, India must also learn from other Global South nations instead of positioning itself as a sole knowledge provider.
5. A More Human-Centric Development Model
6. India promotes Mission LiFE (‘Lifestyle For Environment’), which focuses on low-consumption lifestyles.
7. While this is important, India should expand its human-centric approach to focus on building human resources and capacity.
8. Countries in the Global South need strategies to boost their domestic industries, which India can support.
9. India has traditionally provided training through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, but it should help countries develop long-term institutional capacity.
10. Exchanges in small business development (MSMEs), digital infrastructure, climate action, and energy solutions are potential areas of cooperation.

How Can India Lead Global Governance Reforms?

1. India helped include the African Union in the G20 (2023) during its presidency, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive global governance.
2. India should not only push for reforms in existing institutions but also build domestic capacity to support development partnerships.
3. Initially, India can leverage partnerships with experienced development players like the UN, Germany, and France.
4. In the long term, India must develop its own international cooperation systems to scale up its global initiatives.

What is India’s Challenge as a Leader of the Global South?

1. India wants to be the “Voice of the Global South,” but it must also listen to developing nations.
2. During the NAM era, India provided a third option beyond the Cold War blocs.
3. Now, India has an opportunity to create a new development model for the Global South.

Question for practice:

Evaluate India’s strategy for becoming a strong development partner for the Global South.