Context

• Indian Prime Minister five-nation tour across Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia marked a strategic outreach to the Global South, strengthening India’s leadership in the developing world.

The term Global South

• The Global South refers to a grouping of developing and emerging countries—mostly in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania—that share similar developmental challenges and seek greater representation in global decision-making platforms.
• The term has gained currency in international relations and diplomacy to signify a collective identity among developing countries, especially in forums like the BRICS, G77, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
• India has positioned itself as a key voice of the Global South, especially through initiatives like the Voice of Global South Summit, aiming to amplify the concerns of developing nations on global platforms such as the G20.

Key Characteristics

• The nations are not strictly southern as it includes nations like India and China which are in northern hemisphere.
• Economic and Political Marginalisation which leads to limited voice in global institutions like WTO, World Bank, IMF
• The countries are more focused on poverty reduction, food and energy security, climate justice and equitable trade.
• They are more represented by G77, Non-alligned-Movement and India led platform of Voice of Global South.

India as a leader of Global South

• India has been actively working to project itself as a bridge between the developed and developing worlds, and to emerge as the voice and leader of the Global South.
• Hosting the voice of Global South Summit: In 2023 and 2024, India hosted the Voice of Global South Summits, bringing together over 120 developing countries to discuss common concerns such as climate change, debt crisis, food and energy insecurity, and digital divide.
• G20 Presidency: India used its G20 presidency to champion the cause of the Global South, advocating for inclusive growth, equitable development, and debt relief for poor nations.
• It succeeded in pushing for the African Union’s permanent membership in G20 — a significant diplomatic move that cemented India’s leadership credentials.
• India continues to support Developmental Projects in Africa, Latin America and South Asia through ITEC, INDEX and Line of Credits.

Key Challenges in Global South

• Developing nations are prone and Vulnerable to climate change despite low per capita emission.
• Many nations face external debt crisis worsened by Covid pandemic and Global recession.
• Strategic minerals like lithium and rare earth like China controls 70% of rare earth processing globally leads to resource monopolization.
• Lack of Digital Infrastructure and Digital Inequality in AI and Fintech sectors.

Steps Recommended for India for Strengthening Global South

• India should focus and champion the reform of multilateral bodies like WTO, IMF and World Bank and efforts for reform of UNSC.
• India should de-risk mineral supply chains through strategic investments in Africa and Latin America.
• India can use institutions like BRICS bank and International Solar alliance to finance clean energy.
• India should emphasising on creating a permanent forum for Global South.

Conclusion

India’s renewed outreach signals its transition from aid receiver to agenda setter in the Global South. Through strategic diplomacy, economic cooperation, and cultural leadership, India is positioning itself as a trusted partner in a multipolar world. This momentum must now translate into lasting institutions and inclusive governance reforms.