Africa at Centre of India’s Vision for Global South

• 05 Apr 2024

For Prelims: Global South, India-Africa Relations, Voice of Global South Summit, United Nation Security Council, Brandt Line, Group of 77, African Union, Horn of Africa.

For Mains: India’s Vision for the Global South, Prioritizing Africa in its Global South Vision.

Source: IE

Why in News?

India's increased emphasis on Africa has been highlighted during various state visits. This shift is significant as it reflects India's growing stature as a major global power, providing an opportunity to champion the interests of the Global South.

What is India’s Vision for the Global South?

• Giving Voice to the Global South: India sees itself as a representative for developing countries, ensuring their issues are heard at forums like G20.
  • This includes initiatives like the "Voice of Global South Summit" aimed at creating a platform for developing countries to discuss common challenges.
• Advocacy and Reform: India advocates for reforms in global institutions to better reflect the interests of developing countries.
  • This could involve changes in areas like international taxation, climate finance or giving greater decision-making power to developing nations within organisations like the United Nations Security Council.
• South-South Cooperation: India promotes cooperation among developing countries by sharing best practices, technologies, and resources.
  • The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, launched in 2017 aids Southern-led sustainable development projects, prioritising least developed countries and small island developing States.
• Climate Change Mitigation: India's vision for the Global South includes collaborative efforts to address climate change.
  • Through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India aims to promote renewable energy adoption in countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, contributing to sustainable development and climate resilience.

What is Global South?

• About: Global South refers to a group of countries generally characterised as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped.
  • The term Global South is not geographical. Rather, its usage denotes a mix of political, geopolitical and economic commonalities between nations.
  • It encompasses countries with lower GDPs, higher poverty rates, and less developed infrastructure than the "Global North."
  • These nations are typically located in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia (excluding high-income countries like Japan, South Korea and Australia).

• History:
  • The term Global South appears to have been first used in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby.
  • The Brandt Line, introduced by former German Chancellor Willy Brandt in the 1980s, visually represents the global north-south economic divide using per-capita GDP as a measure. 
  • The Group of 77 (G-77) was established in 1964 during the first UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) session in Geneva, making it the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing nations at that time.

How can India Benefit from Prioritising Africa in its Global South Vision?

• Economic Potential: Africa represents a vast economic opportunity for India. With Indian investments in Africa reaching USD 98 billion in 2023 and trade totaling USD 100 billion, the continent serves as a crucial market for Indian businesses.
• Enhanced Strategic Ties: Africa's influence in global forums is rising, making it a strategic partner for India's global aspirations.
  • India's advocacy for African representation in forums like the G20 and UNSC reflects the shared vision for inclusive global governance.
  • In this regard, India has achieved several diplomatic victories, such as the African Union’s (AU) inclusion in the G20 in September 2023.
• Tapping Youthful Demographics: Africa's young population, with 60% under the age of 25 years, presents immense potential for collaboration in education, technology, and innovation.
  • India's experience in skill development and education initiatives can be leveraged to empower African youth and foster sustainable development.
• Potential Resource Collaboration: Africa's rich reserves of critical minerals essential for industries like renewable energy and technology offer a significant opportunity for collaboration.
  • India's expertise in sectors like renewable energy can be combined with Africa's resources to drive innovation and sustainable development.
• Stronger Geopolitical Influence: A strong partnership with Africa enhances India's strategic standing on the world stage.
  • It allows India to play a more influential role in shaping global governance and addressing issues critical to the Global South.
  • India's growing ties with Africa can help counterbalance China's rising influence on the continent (especially in the Horn of Africa).

What are the Challenges for India as a Leader in the Global South?

• Internal Development Issues: Critics argue India should prioritise its domestic development issues like unequal wealth distribution, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure, before leading others.
  • India's vast rural population lacks access to quality healthcare and education, raising questions about its capacity to address similar issues in other developing nations.
• Diverse Needs and Priorities: The Global South is not a homogenous group. Different countries have varying needs and priorities. Balancing these diverse demands can be difficult.
  • African nations might prioritise debt relief, while Southeast Asian nations might focus on technology transfer.
  • India needs to find ways to address these distinct needs while promoting a unified front.
• Balancing Global Partnerships: India enjoys strong economic ties with developed nations like the US and Japan. This can create a conflict between advocating for the Global South and maintaining these vital relationships.
  • India might shy away from pushing for stricter trade regulations that could potentially harm its exports to developed countries.
• Credibility on Climate Change: India is the world's third-largest emitter of CO₂, despite low per capita CO2 emissions. This weakens its position when advocating for stricter climate action within the Global South.

Way Forward

• Frugal Tech Innovation: India can leverage its expertise in frugal innovation by establishing labs focused on developing low-cost, scalable tech solutions for common challenges in the Global South, like mobile health diagnostics or remote learning platforms.
• Rotating Leadership: Instead of a single leader, India could champion a rotating leadership council with representation from different regions within the Global South. This fosters a more collaborative and inclusive approach.
• Global South Satellite Network: India can lead the development of a network of low-cost satellites launched by and operated by a consortium of developing nations. This network can provide essential data and services for areas lacking traditional infrastructure and internet facilities.
  • India can also utilise advanced satellite technology like RISAT to develop a quick disaster response network within the Global South.
• South-South Vocational Training Centers: Setting up vocational training centres in strategic locations across the Global South, offering skill development programs relevant to local needs.
  • This equips individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the job market and contribute to their economies.

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. What strategies and initiatives can India prioritise as a leader of the Global South to address common development challenges, promote regional cooperation, and enhance South-South partnerships?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (2020)

(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey

(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand

(c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam

(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. ‘The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate. (2019)