The International Big Cat Alliance: India’s Conservation Diplomacy

The natural world cannot always be governed through national borders, and neither can conservation.

The above phrase brings the idea that lies at the heart of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative proposed by India in 2019. This rising power and influence of India in international environmental regulations have been witnessed through what scholars and policymakers call "Big Cat Diplomacy." The multilateral Big Cats International Cooperation Alliance (IBCA), which is a multilateral initiative founded by India in 2023 to conserve the seven major species of big cats across the world including the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma, forms part of the strategy. The IBCA incorporates South-South cooperation, ecological diplomacy, soft power projection, and animal conservation. The IBCA is not only an environmental institution for India but also an instrument for India's geopolitical rise in the world and leader of the Global South.

Origins and Founding of the IBCA

The long tradition of animal protection in India, and the success of the Project Tiger project, formed the basis for the idea of creating the International Big Cat Alliance. The reason why this project was launched was the decline in the number of tigers due to poaching and habitat destruction. Over the years, India has become one of the leading examples of tiger conservation around the world. Approximately 70 percent of all wild tigers live in India.

Following this accomplishment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the IBCA on April 9, 2023, at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, in Mysuru, Karnataka. The Union Cabinet approved the pact in 2024 and provided ₹150 crore budget allocation for five years (2023-2028). The headquarter of this alliance is based in New Delhi, highlighting India’s important contribution to big cat protection at the global level.

Objectives of the International Big Cat Alliance

The IBCA seeks to create a collaborative international platform for the protection and conservation of big cats and their ecosystems. Its major objectives include:

1) Conservation of big cat habitats across national borders. 

2) Combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade. 

3) Scientific research and data sharing. 

4) Capacity building and training of wildlife officials. 

5) Promoting sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. 

6) Mobilizing international funding and technology for conservation. 

7) Encouraging eco-tourism and green economic development. 

Governments, scientific institutions, non-governmental organisations, conservation groups, and international organisations like the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature are all part of the alliance, which is intended to be a multi-country and multi-agency coalition.

Why Big Cats Matter

Big cats are apex predators and play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance. Their survival ensures healthy forests, grasslands, and biodiversity systems. However, these species face multiple threats:

1) Habitat fragmentation 

2) Climate change 

3) Illegal wildlife trafficking 

4) Human-animal conflict 

5) Declining prey populations 

The decline of big cats also impacts local economies, indigenous communities, and ecological stability. Therefore, the IBCA aims to connect conservation with sustainable development and climate governance.

India’s Perspective and Strategic Importance

The IBCA is a strategic and environmental effort from India's point of view. Five of the seven big cat species—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah, are found in India, giving it a unique position. India can assert moral and technological leadership in the world's wildlife protection thanks to its biodiversity advantage.

1. Environmental diplomacy and soft power

The IBCA helps in strengthening India's soft power. India is now developing "Big Cat Diplomacy," whereby India engages itself with other nations through the conservation of tigers, similar to how China uses "Panda Diplomacy." India improves its relations with Asia, Africa, and Latin America using environmental conservation. For example, India has developed wildlife conservation treaties with countries such as Guatemala, involving the conservation of tigers and jaguars. Further, India provides information on habitat management, satellite technology, and anti-poaching technology to its partner countries. This enhances India's image as an ecological powerhouse rather than a regional power alone.

2. Leadership of the Global South

The IBCA aligns with India’s larger foreign policy objective of becoming the voice of the Global South. Many big cat range countries are developing nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that face financial and technological constraints in wildlife conservation.

India presents itself as a partner that provides:

• Technical training 

• Conservation models 

• Financial assistance

This creates diplomatic goodwill and strengthens India’s influence in multilateral forums.

3. Ecological Security and Climate Governance

India increasingly recognizes that environmental security is linked to national security. Healthy forests and wildlife habitats help regulate climate systems, water resources, and biodiversity.

Thus, IBCA also supports India’s commitments under:

• United Nations biodiversity frameworks 

• Climate agreements 

• Sustainable development goals 

The alliance demonstrates India’s attempt to integrate ecological concerns with international governance.

Governance and Institutional Structure

The IBCA operates through:

• A General Assembly of member nations 

• A Standing Committee 

• A Secretariat headquartered in India

Any nation member of the United Nations that decides to help conservation efforts is eligible for membership, whether or not it belongs to the range of nations. By 2025-2026, many countries had either ratified the coalition or shown their willingness to be members. The International Black Carbon Alliance acquired its international legitimacy through its recognition as an intergovernmental organisation based on a treaty in January 2025. India later boosted the institution's reputation by extending it privileges similar to those of United Nations bodies.

Achievements and Progress So Far

Although still in its early stages, the IBCA has achieved several milestones:

• Creation of an international conservation platform. 

• Expansion of global partnerships. 

• Wildlife training programs for foreign officials. 

• Increased cooperation in anti-poaching measures. 

• Promotion of scientific exchanges and ecological monitoring. 

India’s conservation experience, especially in tiger recovery is now being projected globally as a successful governance model.

Challenges and Criticism

Even with all its high ideals, there are many challenges and criticisms the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) faces. The first of these challenges involves the problem of inadequate funding, where some scholars are of the opinion that the international conservation project involving multiple countries and animal species cannot be funded effectively with the initial monetary investment.

Another challenge is the growing confrontation between man and animal in the habitats of big cats, where the native people are facing threats from the safety of their lives, attacks from predators on livestock, and economic losses, resulting in criticism of conservation projects.

Due to the fact that the natural habitat of many big cats is transnational in nature and requires prolonged cooperation between nations having different political and economic agendas, political coordination within member states can also become a difficult task. The contradiction between conservation goals and local development projects such as mining, road development, and infrastructure expansion, which pose a threat to forest connectivity and biodiversity, is also seen as problematic in the context of India. Moreover, certain researchers regard the IBCA as a soft power and image project meant to raise India’s international profile.

Future of Big Cat Diplomacy

The future of Big Cat Diplomacy appears to have strategic significance not only for India's foreign policy but also for global conservation. By means of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), India seeks to position itself as a pioneer in South-South diplomacy, climate change collaboration, and wildlife protection. The IBCA is likely to result in higher expenditures on conservation, wildlife tourism, anti-poaching mechanisms, and science among member states in the coming years. India aims to take advantage of this diplomatic strategy to promote ecological security and sustainable development while strengthening ties with Latin America, Asia, and Africa. IBCA could turn into a notable international environmental group if it attracts enough financing and international cooperation.

Conclusion

New era of Indian environmental diplomacy starts with the International Big Cat Alliance. The use of wildlife conservation for the purpose of exerting global leadership through international cooperation can be seen in this new era of Indian environmental diplomacy.

India has moved ahead to become not only an active participant but a rule-maker and agenda-setter in global environmental politics through its experience in the success of Project Tiger and the creation of a global conservation coalition. Funding, international cooperation, science, and participation of local communities are essential for the future success of the IBCA. If the initiative succeeds, it will be counted among the great international conservation initiatives of the twenty-first century.

About the Author: Vishal Kumar, Postgraduate student of Politics and International Relations, Central University of Gujarat. Academic focus on geopolitics, strategic studies, Indo-Pacific, East-Asia, Middle-East/ West-Asia, Arctic Region Military Intelligence and changing global power dynamics.