India and the Global South

Why in the News?

India recently hosted the third Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) in a virtual format.

Key Points on the Summit

• Previous Summits: The first VOGSS took place in January 2023, followed by the second in November 2023, both held virtually.
• Philosophy: The summit aligns with India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—"One Earth, One Family, One Future"—aiming to foster global cooperation.
• Participation: The third summit included representatives from 123 countries, notably excluding China and Pakistan.
• Theme: Focused on “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.”
• Proposals:
• India introduced a Global Development Compact to tackle rising debt in developing nations.
• Initiatives to provide affordable generic medicines and share experiences in natural farming.
• Launching a $2.5 million fund for trade promotion and a $1 million fund for capacity building in trade policy and negotiation.

What is the Global South?

• Refers to technically and socially less developed countries, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• The Brandt Report established a North-South divide based on parameters like technological advancement and GDP.

Challenges Faced by the Global South

• Underrepresentation in Global Forums: Limited representation in bodies like the UN Security Council.
• High Public Debt: Public debt in developing countries is increasing at twice the rate of developed nations (UNCTAD Report 2024).
• Obsolete Global Governance: Issues with institutions like the WTO and under-representation in the World Bank and IMF.
• Vulnerability to Climate Change: Countries like those in the Pacific Islands face severe risks from rising sea levels despite minimal contributions to global emissions.
• Divergence from Global North: Differences in perspectives on democracy, human rights, and climate governance, compounded by geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war affecting food and oil prices.

Significance of the Global South for India

• International Influence: The Global South plays a crucial role in enhancing India's international influence, supporting its economic transformation and development.
• Strategic Consideration: Relations with the Global South are integral to India's "multidirectional alignment" strategy, helping to counterbalance China's influence in the region.
• Economic Development: The Global South offers abundant resources and a vast market for Indian exports, fostering economic growth.

India’s Positioning as a Voice for the Global South

• Enhancing Connectivity: India is investing in infrastructure and community projects in sectors like health, education, and the environment. This includes extending financial and humanitarian assistance to help partner countries navigate economic challenges.
• Capacity Building: Initiatives like the India-UN Capacity Building Initiative and the Vaccine Maitri program during the COVID-19 pandemic position India as a key responder to the needs of the Global South.
• Leading the Global Climate Agenda: India champions initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience (CDRI), advocating for Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) in climate discussions.
• Advocacy: India supports significant inclusivity efforts, such as the African Union's induction into the G20, and seeks reform in multilateral institutions, including expanding the UN Security Council’s permanent membership.
• Alternative Mechanisms: India promotes frameworks based on principles like Panchsheel and the Gujral Doctrine, offering alternative perspectives on democracy and human rights.

Challenges for India in Leading the Global South

• Diverse Interests: The Global South encompasses a wide range of economic, political, and social interests, making it challenging to form a unified stance.
• Competition with China: China's influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) poses a significant challenge, as it competes for development finance and infrastructure projects.
• Diplomatic Challenges: Balancing relationships with powers like the USA and Russia while representing Global South interests can be diplomatically complex, potentially undermining India's credibility and traditional Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) principles.
• Limited National Strength: India's relative lack of comprehensive national strength, including challenges in manufacturing, technology innovation, and labor quality, complicates its ability to address the Global South's needs.
• Energy Transition Issues: India faces scrutiny for its reliance on fossil fuels and its struggle to meet climate commitments, particularly highlighted during discussions at COP 26 regarding coal phase-out.

What is the Global South?

• Definition: The Global South refers to countries often characterized as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped, primarily located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Economic Indicators: These nations typically face higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and challenging living conditions compared to the wealthier nations of the Global North.
• Global North: The Global North comprises richer nations, mainly in North America and Europe, with some additional countries in Oceania and elsewhere.

The Brandt Line

• Origin: The Brandt Line was proposed by Willy Brandt in the 1980s as a conceptual framework for understanding global inequality.
• Imaginary Division: It serves as an imaginary line that divides the world into richer countries (mainly in the Northern Hemisphere) and poorer countries (mostly in the Southern Hemisphere).
• Socio-Economic Divide: The Brandt Line illustrates the socio-economic divide between northern and southern countries, highlighting disparities in wealth, development, and access to resources.

India’s Historical Association with the Global South

India has shared deep-rooted historical ties with the Global South, particularly through its colonial struggles and experiences of underdevelopment. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Nehru, India emerged as a leader advocating for the issues facing these nations.

• Establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
• India played a crucial role in the formation of NAM, representing the socio-economic and political priorities of the Global South.
• It helped draft the agenda for a New International Economic Order aimed at countering the dominance of Bretton Woods institutions.
• Establishment of the G-77:
• India was instrumental in creating the Group of 77 (G-77), a coalition of 134 developing nations within the UN.
• The G-77 aimed to present a unified voice for the Global South at the UN General Assembly and its committees.
• Stockholm Conference of 1972:
• India actively voiced the concerns of the Global South regarding climate change at this conference.
• It contributed to the development of key principles like Sustainable Development (Brundtland Report), Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), and the Polluters Pay Principle.

Shift in Foreign Policy Post-Cold War

Following the end of the Cold War and a domestic economic crisis, India adopted a more pragmatic foreign policy, prioritizing national interests over the ideals of justice for the Global South:

• Neglect of NAM:
• After the Cold War, India placed NAM in a state of abeyance, with reduced high-level engagement, exemplified by the Indian PM skipping the 18th NAM Summit in 2019.
• Closer Ties with the Global North:
• India began forming deeper strategic relationships with Global North countries, such as the US, EU, and Japan, exemplified by the India-US Civil Nuclear Deal.
• New Multilateral Forums:
• India focused on new multilateral platforms like BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN, often at the expense of G-77 and NAM.

India as the Voice of the Global South Again

With its growing economic and geopolitical influence, India has repositioned itself as a key advocate for the Global South:

• New Delhi Declaration:
• During its G-20 presidency, India built consensus to include Global South issues—like debt financing, climate justice, and gender equality—in the New Delhi Declaration.
• Expansion of G-20:
• India facilitated the inclusion of the African Union in the G-20, amplifying the voice of Global South nations at this high-level forum.
• Voice of Global South Summit:
• India has initiated the Voice of Global South Summit to foster solidarity among these countries, addressing the unprecedented challenges they face.
• Vaccine Maitri:
• In response to COVID-19, India played a critical role in providing free vaccines and medicines to Global South nations, significantly impacting public health.
• Representative Multilateral Forums:
• India has worked to make forums like BRICS and SCO more inclusive by incorporating additional Global South countries, such as through the transformation of BRICS into BRICS PLUS.
• Climate Justice Leadership:
• India has taken a leading role in climate negotiations, advocating for Global South interests, including the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund at COP28.

Headwinds Inhibiting India from Becoming a Leader of the Global South

• UNSC Membership:
• India’s campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as part of the G-4 group faces opposition from the Coffee Club, which includes Global South countries from Africa and Asia.
• Neglect of NAM and G-77:
• India has neglected the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the G-77, leading to ineffective communication and diminished influence within these key groupings.
• China Factor:
• China’s substantial economic aid and development assistance to Global South countries create a competitive environment, as India seeks to assert its leadership in the region.
• Lack of Consistent Engagement:
• India has struggled with maintaining regular engagement with Global South nations, evidenced by the absence of an India-Africa Summit since 2018 and non-participation in recent Pacific Island Summits.
• Big Brother Attitude:
• India has faced accusations of interfering in the domestic affairs of Global South countries, which fosters mistrust. For instance, the "India Out Campaign" in the Maldives highlighted concerns over India's approach.
• Delays in Project Implementation:
• India’s aspirations to lead the Global South are hindered by delays in the execution of development projects, such as the Kaladan Project and the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor.

Suggested Way Forward

• Establishing a Development Bank:
• India should consider creating its own development bank to provide financial assistance to Global South countries, positioning itself as a viable alternative to China.
• Revival of NAM:
• Revitalizing the NAM forum in the context of post-COVID geopolitical tensions and ideological divides can strengthen India’s role in the Global South.
• Improved Project Delivery:
• Investing in capacity-building to enhance the quality and timeliness of development project implementation is essential for India to gain credibility.
• Shed the Big Brother Attitude:
• India must adopt a more respectful and collaborative approach to its relationships with Global South countries, fostering mutual trust.
• Regular Engagement:
• India should establish a schedule for regular summits with African nations and Indo-Pacific countries to maintain and strengthen diplomatic ties.

Conclusion

As India shifts from a balancing power to a leading force on the global stage, it can draw upon its rich cultural ethos, particularly the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—"One Earth, One Family"—to unite Global South countries. By focusing on bridging the digital divide, supporting disaster-resilient infrastructure, and advocating for an inclusive and equitable international order, India has the potential to amplify the collective voice of the Global South on global platforms. This approach will not only enhance India's leadership role but also foster solidarity among developing nations in addressing shared challenges and seizing opportunities for growth and collaboration.