Global South

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Brazil from July 2-9, 2025, for the BRICS summit, was not only his longest international visit in 11 years but also marked a significant diplomatic outreach to the Global South, with stops in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia. This visit underlines India’s evolving leadership role in shaping the Global South's agenda, advocating for a multipolar world order, and amplifying the voices of developing nations.

What is the Global South?

The term Global South refers to countries, predominantly in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania, which typically face lower levels of economic development, shared colonial histories, and a common interest in reforming global governance to make it more equitable. The Global South is often contrasted with the Global North, which includes wealthier, industrialized nations like those in North America and Western Europe.

Key characteristics of the Global South include:

• Lower economic development levels

• Colonial histories

• Advocacy for equitable trade terms, technology transfer, climate justice, and a multipolar world order

India has positioned itself as one of the most vocal and prominent leaders of the Global South, using both diplomatic and multilateral platforms to represent their shared concerns.

India’s Role as the Leader of the Global South

India has strategically worked to emerge as the voice and bridge between the developed and developing worlds. It has positioned itself as a key player on various global issues by:

1. Hosting the Voice of Global South Summits:
   In 2023 and 2024, India hosted the Voice of Global South Summits, where over 120 developing countries came together to discuss pressing issues like climate change, food insecurity, debt crises, and digital divides. These forums have bolstered India's image as a leader committed to global equity.

2. Leveraging G20 Presidency (2023):
   India used its G20 presidency to champion the cause of the Global South. It successfully advocated for inclusive growth, equitable development, and debt relief for poorer nations. India also secured the African Union's permanent membership in the G20, which was a historic diplomatic move, cementing its position as a bridge between the North and South.

3. Expanding Development Partnerships:
   India has increased its development assistance and capacity-building programs across regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, further positioning itself as a partner for the South in their developmental needs.

4. Countering China's Influence:
   India seeks to provide an alternative model of development to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), one that is transparent and less debt-driven. This positioning appeals to many Global South countries, which view China’s growing influence with a degree of caution, especially concerning debt traps.

5. Moral and Historical Positioning:
   India's commitment to the Global South is rooted in its non-aligned legacy and its founding role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). By drawing from its anti-colonial history, India aligns itself with the Global South’s aspirations for fairer global governance and social justice.

India’s Position on Gaza and Israel

India’s traditionally neutral stance on the Israel-Palestine issue, however, has come under scrutiny in recent years. India’s pro-Israel position during the October 2023 Gaza war—following Israel’s military actions in Gaza—has led to concerns among many Global South nations, who have long advocated for the rights of the Palestinian people.

Consequences of India’s Gaza Position:

• Defeat in UNESCO Election: India’s pro-Israel stance was evident when it lost to Pakistan for the UNESCO Executive Board vice-chair election. Many Global South nations, especially in Africa and Asia, saw India’s position as aligning too closely with Western powers and not sufficiently critical of Israel's actions.

• Reduced Participation in India’s Second Voice of Global South Summit: Several countries, disillusioned by India’s perceived shift away from Global South values, reduced their participation in the Voice of Global South Summit.

India’s Response

At the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meet in June 2024 and again at the 2025 BRICS summit, India strongly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, marking a shift in its position to safeguard its Global South ties. Additionally, India condemned the attacks on Iran, signaling a balancing act between its strategic partnership with Israel and its leadership aspirations within the Global South.

Despite maintaining its defense and security ties with Israel, India had to recalibrate its public diplomacy to protect its influence within the BRICS and other international forums. This shift was a diplomatic tightrope aimed at keeping both Israel and the Global South engaged without compromising on either front.

India Secures BRICS Support on Terrorism

During the BRICS summit in Rio, India achieved a notable diplomatic win by getting BRICS support—including from China—for strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and affirming support against cross-border terrorism and terror financing. This came despite skepticism from several Global South nations regarding India’s Operation Sindoor strikes in Pakistan.

India sent multi-party delegations to explain its position on terrorism, presenting a clear narrative that sought to align its counter-terrorism efforts with global norms of justice and human rights. While the BRICS declaration echoed India’s strong stance on terrorism, the country had to make some concessions on the language surrounding Gaza and Iran, highlighting the balancing act India must play in global diplomacy.

Implications for India’s Global South Strategy

1. Diplomatic Balancing:
   India’s approach demonstrates a delicate balancing act between advancing its national interests and maintaining its position as a key representative of the Global South. Strategic realignments, like those on Israel and Gaza, are necessary to avoid alienating critical constituencies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

2. Global South Unity:
   India must focus on preserving its image as a leader of the Global South, ensuring that its actions align with the broader values of these countries, especially regarding human rights and sovereignty. Its leadership role in BRICS, G20, and UNESCO will be scrutinized for consistency.

3. Countering China's Rise:
   As China’s influence expands, India’s role as a counterbalance—offering an alternative model of development—is becoming increasingly important. India’s multilateral engagements and development assistance are key to solidifying its position in the Global South and providing a credible alternative to China's debt-driven development model.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic visit to Brazil and his outreach to Global South nations are a testament to India’s ambition to assert itself as a leader of developing countries.