Global South as a Peacemaker

• 07 Apr 2025

For Prelims: Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Role of Global South, Brandt Line, NATO, United Nations, Peacekeeping mission, Global North, African Union, BRICS, Security Council,  

For Mains: Significance of Global South in Peacekeeping, Emergence of India as a Global Player. 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Recent diplomatic breakthroughs, including Riyadh-brokered truces, highlight the growing role of the Global South as a credible peacemaker, with a UN-backed mission offering a neutral alternative to Western-led initiatives in Ukraine.

What is Global South? 

• American academic Carl Oglesby coined the term “Global South” in 1969 to denote a set of countries beset by the “dominance” of the Global North through political and economic exploitation. 
• The phrase “Global South” refers broadly to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania separated by the Brandt line.  
  • It denotes regions outside Europe and North America, mostly low-income and often politically or culturally marginalised. 
  • China and India are the leading proponents of the Global South. 
• The Brandt line is a visual representation of the world's economic divide between the rich north and the poor south, based on GDP per capita.  
  • It was proposed by Willy Brandt in the 1970s and encircles the globe at a latitude of roughly 30° North. 

What Role Can the Global South Play as a Peacemaker? 

• Neutral Mediator: The Global South, with its tradition of non-alignment, is often viewed as a credible and impartial interlocutor. 
  • Example: India’s balanced diplomatic stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has enabled it to engage with both sides. 
• Peacekeeping Contributor: Countries from the Global South are among the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions, lending stability in post-conflict zones. 
  • Example: India’s presence in the Congo and the African Union’s peace operations in Somalia. 
• Diplomatic Convenor: Global South platforms serve as alternative forums for dialogue and de-escalation, independent of Western-dominated institutions. 
  • Example: BRICS nations calling for ceasefire and negotiations in the Ukraine war. 
• Moral Voice for Justice: Shared colonial legacies give Global South countries the normative legitimacy to advocate for sovereignty, equity, and non-intervention. ( African countries stress sovereign equality in global governance). 
• Inclusive Peacebuilding: By promoting gender-balanced peace initiatives, the Global South contributes to more inclusive and sustainable peace processes. 
  • Example: India’s deployment of an all-women UN police unit in Liberia. 

What are the Key Areas of Contention for the Global South as a Peacekeeper? 

• Fragile Ceasefire Dynamics: A Global South-led mission requires a pre-existing and enforceable ceasefire, without which peacekeeping efforts may risk becoming entangled in active conflict zones. 
• Ambiguity Over Territorial Boundaries: Lack of consensus on contested borders, particularly in conflicts like Russia-Ukraine, complicates operational deployment and increases the risk of renewed hostilities. 
• Dependence on UN Security Council Mandate: Despite their moral standing, Global South countries need a UN mandate to secure legal authority and global legitimacy—challenging in a polarized Security Council. 
  • While advocating neutrality, these missions still require Western logistical, financial, and technological assistance, potentially complicating claims of independence. 
• Capacity and Coordination Constraints: Though rich in peacekeeping experience, many Global South countries face challenges in coordination, training, funding, and rapid deployment capacity. 

Read more: United Nations Peacekeeping Paradox

Conclusion

The Ukraine conflict presents a pivotal moment for the Global South to assert its diplomatic maturity. Leading a UN-backed peacekeeping mission would enhance its credibility and global influence. For India, it offers a chance to translate neutrality into leadership. Seizing this moment could redefine global power dynamics for decades to come.

Drishti Mains Question: 

Assess the potential of a Global South-led mission to recalibrate power dynamics and norms in international diplomacy.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following countries: (2023)

1. Bulgaria 
2. Czech Republic 
3. Hungary 
4. Latvia 
5. Lithuania 
6. Romania

How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine? 

(a) Only two 

 (b) Only three 

 (c) Only four 

 (d) Only five

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Mains:

Q. “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (2021)