India’s Role in the Governance of Global South | 17 Jan 2023

In an attempt to balance the West and with an Eye on the North, India is hoping to rally the ‘South’. The theme of the recently held two-day virtual Voice of the Global South 2023 Summit - “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” - is India’s attempt to add another note to the chorus of the global order.

The virtual forum has provided valuable inputs from the Global South that could facilitate India’s ambition to steer the G20 2023 summit in Delhi successfully.

The forum is also about India reconnecting with a global group of nations that had fallen off the Indian foreign policy radar since the end of the Cold War.

Over the last three decades, Indian diplomacy’s focus has been on reordering its great power relations, bringing stability to the neighbourhood and developing regional institutions in the extended neighbourhood.

What is Global South?

• The term ‘Global South’ began by loosely referring to those countries that were left out of the industrialisation era and had a conflict of ideology with the capitalist and communist countries, accentuated by the Cold War.
  • It includes countries that are mostly in Asia, Africa and South America.
  • Moreover, Global North is defined essentially by an economic division between the rich and poor countries.
    • Global North’ refers loosely to countries like the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.
• ‘Global South’ is significant because of its large population, rich cultures, and abundant natural resources.
• Understanding the Global South is important for addressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

What are the Issues with the Global South?

• Economic Inequality:
  • Many countries in the Global South still struggle with poverty and economic inequality, which can make it difficult to implement development initiatives.
• Political Instability:
  • Political instability in many countries in the Global South can make it difficult to implement long-term development plans and can also create a hostile environment for foreign investment.
• Lack of Infrastructure:
  • Many countries in the Global South lack basic infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and power, which can make it difficult to attract foreign investment and promote economic growth.
• Climate Change:
  • Climate change is a growing concern in many countries in the Global South, as it can exacerbate existing poverty and inequality and create new challenges for development.
• Limited Human Capacity:
  • Lack of skilled human resources and lack of education is one of the main challenges for development in the global south.

What are the Challenges in the development of the Global South?

• Lack of a Unified Stance:
  • India's experience with Non-Alignment during the Cold War presented a challenge for the global South in several ways.
  • One major challenge was the lack of a unified stance among the countries of the global South on the major issues of the day, such as decolonization and the Cold War.
  • India's non-aligned stance meant that it did not align itself with either the Western or Eastern blocs, which made it difficult for other countries in the global South to follow a unified approach to these issues.
  • Additionally, NAM made it difficult for the global South to effectively negotiate with the major powers on issues such as trade and development.
• Issue of Green Energy Fund:
  • Although Global North countries contribute more to global emissions, they neglect to pay for green energy, which ultimately harms the least emitters - the less developed countries.
• China’s Interference:
  • China is increasingly making inroads in the Global South through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for developing infrastructure.
    • However, it is still questionable whether BRI will be a win-win situation for both parties or it will focus only on China’s Profit.
• North’s Interference in South:
  • One major issue is economic inequality, as U.S.-dominated international trade and financial systems favor developed countries at the expense of developing ones.
  • Additionally, industrial countries’ military and political power is sometimes used to further its own interests, potentially at the expense of countries in the global South.
    • This may lead to a loss of sovereignty and self-determination for these countries.
• Lack of Capability to Utilise Resources:
  • Inadequate access to resources is a major challenge for countries in the global South.
  • These countries often have a disproportionate lack of access to resources such as clean water, healthcare, and education.
  • Additionally, they often have limited access to resources such as financial capital, technology, and infrastructure.
    • This can lead to a number of negative consequences, including poverty, poor health outcomes, and limited economic growth.
• Impact of Covid-19:
  • Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already existing divides.
    • Not only have the countries faced different challenges in dealing with the initial phases of the pandemic, but the social and macroeconomic implications being faced today have been far worse for the global South.
  • The vulnerability of the domestic economies is far more apparent now in countries ranging from Argentina and Egypt to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

What can be the Way Forward?

• Balancing Nationalism and Internationalism:
  • India needs to contribute in more significant ways to modernising and democratising the global order.
  • In today's world, it is imperative to find a balance between nationalism and internationalism which will help in safeguarding interests of any country as well as interests of Global south.
• Identifying Simple, Scalable and Sustainable Solutions:
  • The need of the hour is to identify simple, scalable and sustainable solutions that can transform our societies and economies.
  • With such an approach, it is possible to overcome the difficult challenges — whether it is poverty, universal healthcare or building human capacities.
    • During the last century, these nations supported each other against foreign rule. It's time to do it again in this century, to create a new world order that will guarantee citizens' welfare.
• Regaining the Trust of Other Developing Countries:
  • As a low middle income country seeking rapid economic development India remains well placed to be the “Voice of the Global South”. However, India needs to regain the trust of other developing countries, especially in Africa and South and Southeast Asia, espousing their interests, for it to once again play this role effectively.
• Role of G-20:
  • India's year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) is also an opportunity for uniting the global south for India by providing a platform for India and other countries from the global south to come together and discuss common issues and challenges, as well as opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.
  • At the G20 summit, India and other countries from the global south can raise their concerns and share their perspectives on key issues such as economic growth, trade, investment, and development.
  • The summit can also serve as a platform for India and other countries from the global south to coordinate their efforts and collaborate on initiatives aimed at promoting economic development and reducing poverty.