India- a voice of the Global South: Empowering and Developing?

Samiksha Sharma
May 29
7 min read

What is Global South?

Looking at the world map with an invisible boundary, a story of “us” and “them” kept blurring the essence of one global society. The outdated Cold War classifications- ‘First World,’ ‘Second World,’ and ‘Third World’- originally coined by French economist Alfred Sauvy in the 1950s, divided countries based on development status. Over time, the term ‘Third World’ evolved into the more inclusive and politically sensitive term, “Global South”, representing developing, underdeveloped, and least-developed countries of Asia, Africa, Latin & Central America, and Oceania.

Why Global South?

Despite their regional diversity, these countries share a collective history of colonial exploitation, stolen resources, cultural disruption, and hindered development. Evident in Africa’s ongoing struggles with poverty, internal conflicts, and political instability, rooted in the evil move of dividing Africa, the Scramble for Africa. In contrast. Post-independence states like India and China have emerged as powerful Asian economic giants. Reflecting this shared history and a commitment to collective progress, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar stated, “Being a democratic polity, a pluralistic society and a market economy, India will grow with others, not separately,” highlighting India’s support for the left-out regions of the Global South in the struggle against debt relief, poverty alleviation, disaster response, institutional reform, climate justice, and countering terrorism that is widespread in West Asia, South Asia, and the Sahel region of Africa.

A policy paper published by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2022 titled “Norms: New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System” urged institutional democratisation and representative reforms in the UNSC. The ‘five S’s’ approach- Samman (Respect), Sambvad (Dialogue), Sahayog (Cooperation), Shanti (Peace), and Samriddhi (Prosperity)- reflects India’s diplomacy for Global South Advocacy.

From Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment

India has shifted from the Cold War era doctrine of Non-Alignment- led the movement with Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, and former Yugoslavia- towards multi-alignment and strategic autonomy getting popular today. Under the leadership of PM Modi, India’s Foreign Policy has undergone a complete makeover, becoming more pragmatic and interest-driven, guided by the philosophy of “Madhyam Marg” (Middle Path).

India now acts as a bridge between the Global North and South. This was evident when India was invited to attend the G-7 Summit in Germany in 2022, alongside Global South countries Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa, to focus on areas of the global economy, sustainability, multilateralism, food security, and digital transformation. Also, India is an active member of popular groups like BRICS and SCO. During the Ukraine-Russia conflict, India stood firm, choosing neither side but prioritising its national interest and people over it. India continued the purchase of oil from Russia despite Western Pressure, highlighting its independent and pragmatic foreign policy.

India-the undisputed voice of Global South

India is now a frontrunner in championing South-South Cooperation and creating platforms for Global South concerns. India’s presidency of the G-20 was a major milestone, themed “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family), showcased India’s commitment and respect for every country, and not separating them based on the Global North or South tag. One of the most applauded decisions was the permanent inclusion of the African Union in the G-20.

India also pushed for sustainable development initiatives like the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India’s joint effort with France involving 105 countries to promote renewable energy and climate action. ISA’s structured governance through regional and ministerial committees allows for inclusive policy shaping.

India’s “Voice of the Global South” (VoGS) Summits have become flagship initiatives. India acts not only as “Vishwa Guru” (Global Teacher), but also acts as “Vishwa Bandhu” (Global Friend). Prime Minister Modi presented the “Global Development Compact,” advocating a human-centric, multidimensional development model focused on the inclusion of all states. The Global South needs to work on the ITT, where I stand for Investment, T for Technology, and T for Trade, that together lead to the output called “Equitable Growth” for all.

The First VoGS Summit (January 2023): Theme- “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose.” A splendid platform for Global South countries to collectively voice their concerns amid global challenges disproportionately affecting them. Guided by PM Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas,” the summit encouraged cooperation on issues like port-COVID recovery, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, debt, and food and energy security. India also launched “DAKSHIN” – the Global South Centre of Excellence – to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The Second VoGS Summit (November 2023): Theme- “Together for Everyone’s Growth, Everyone’s Trust”. Key Focuses included Sustainable Development Goals, Climate action (through LiFE initiative- Lifestyle for Environment), inclusive energy transitions, international financial reform, and the idea of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in service delivery. India’s UPI has found adopters in over a dozen countries, including Bhutan, and several African States are working with India in digital cooperation.
The Third VoGS Summit (August 2024): Theme- “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.” PM Modi proposed a four-fold Global Development Compact: Trade for Development; Capacity Building for Sustainable Growth; Technology Sharing; and Project-Specific Concessional Finance and Grants.

The Global South Young Diplomat Forum, launched by the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in November 2023 with PM Modi’s vision for bringing synergy in the voice of the Global South. The forum set in motion the deliberations, knowledge, and interest sharing among the participating diplomats to act on the priority areas of importance to the Global South.

In Oceania, India’s engagement through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)-established in 2014- aims to enhance ties with Oceania’s “Large Ocean States”, as PM Modi called them during the FIPIC-3 summit in Port Moresby. PM James Marape of Papua New Guinea also urged India to serve as an advocate for the Global South for the representation of SIDS and Pacific countries in global forums like the G-7, G-20, and so on.

India, Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner and fifth-largest investor with bilateral trade of around US$100 billion and investments worth US$75 billion, seeks to deepen its engagement by aligning with Agenda 2063 and boosting infrastructure investment through the AfCFTA. This commitment is reflected in initiatives like the inauguration of a naval base in Mauritius, a strategic African partner, and home to a significant Indian Diaspora. The India-Africa Forum Summit – India offered scholarships for African Students to grow the education sector.

India has strongly voiced the concerns of developing nations of South America, exemplified by PM Modi’s historic November 2024 visit to Guyana, a South American oil-rich state and key Indian Diaspora destination, to co-chair the Second India-CARICOM Summit.

The inauguration of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2025 demonstrated India’s commitment to its diaspora, the largest diaspora, spanning both North and South.

In the Indo-Pacific region, India is frequently involved in the naval exercises with other India Ocean Region countries. India’s policy of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Maritime Amritkal Vision promotes India’s maritime strengths. Investments and Port Projects in the IOR, for instance, the Chabahar Port in Iran, are geopolitically significant.

Challenges to India’s Global South Leadership

Insufficient Engagement in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific. Summits alone cannot foster the relations. India needs to increase its investments and technology sharing with these countries, defence partnerships and exercises frequently, and smooth trade deals with these countries. Africa even needs more attention, as China has doubled its presence in the continent and is constantly investing and taking up its resources. China’s massive debt to small countries has become a serious concern today.
Continued resource exploitation by Strong powers. Most of the Global South countries are rich in resources but lack industrial and technological capacities, and remain vulnerable to exploitation by powers like China and the US. China’s debt trap policy and BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) have engulfed many countries like this. Africa is the most visible example today of Chinese deeds.
Persistent Internal Instabilities. Corruption, hunger, poverty, and genocide continue to plague various Global South. Regions like West Asia, parts of Africa, and Latin America suffer from terrorism and failing governments. Terrorist Groups like Boko Haram and Al-Shabab continue to destabilise Northern Nigeria and Kenya, Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza are other such horrific terror groups from West Asia, Taliban from Afghanistan, and many more. They are another serious concern that prevents the Global South from growing and prospering. It is a big challenge for India as well. India should engage with these countries to eradicate terrorism and fight against it.
Underrepresentation in Global Institutions. The Global South remains sidelined in international decision-making bodies like the UNSC, the IMF, and the World Bank, but having India emerging as a leader and voice for them, things are going to change. They comprehend India as a medium to represent their perspectives in front of the world. It is a huge responsibility and quite a challenging one.

Conclusion

In today’s dynamics of geopolitics, India’s rising voice is not one of domination but of dialogue, partnership, and mutual respect. The world today does not need another superpower; it needs a balancing power- one that understands each and every perspective. India’s astonishing move among the top five economies of the world makes India an inspiration to other partners in the Global South. Africa is of immense importance for India, and now is the time to deepen the ties with Africa in every possible aspect. India’s Strategic Autonomy must also carry forward the Strategic Solidarity. To be the Voice of the Global South is not literally to speak for others but to ensure them of their voices are being heard. The Global South needs full cooperation among all the countries and India has that potential of holding them together. Global South needs India- resolute, responsive, and always ready to act.