Context:
India has made itself increasingly an anchor in the Global South, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing the attention of Indian foreign policy toward the amplification of the voice of developing countries. A reflection of that aspiration is a series of endeavors, such as the Voice of Global South Summit 2024, geared toward pushing India to become more proactive in reformation toward the more equitable global governance order.
India’s Strategic Turn Around to China
- The Non Aligned Movement (NAM) is an anti western movement, but India is not. Instead, India seeks to balance its relationships with the Global South and the developed nations.
- India is multi aligned in foreign policy, as seen through its closeness to the U.S. (visit of Jake Sullivan in January 2025) and Europe (Modi visit to Poland in August 2024).
India and China: Competition or Different Strategy?
- FDI in India in Africa
- India is trying to match China by aiming at countries in which China has already gained immense influence.
- Western powers want India to rise against China
- For example, the Quad, India, U.S., Japan, and Australia.
- But, of course, India is not just competing with others but carving out its identity as a bridge between the North and South of the world.
Key Strategies for India to Succeed
- Redefining Development Cooperation
- India seeks equal partnerships but operates on an India first principle in reality.
- The Global Development
- Compact champions Indian strategies, but India must also learn from other Global South nations.
- India should not become a “big brother” and should instead focus on mutual learning rather than trying to impose solutions.
Human Centric Development
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) focuses on sustainability but should be repackaged as human resource development.
- Skill India & women entrepreneurship programs can be exported to the Global South as countries strive to build indigenous industries.
- In the long term, the capacity building strategy of India (such as ITEC) needs more institutional support than mere short-term training.
- Key points of emphasis digital infrastructure, climate and energy solutions, water and food security.
Strengthening Global Governance & Institutional Capacity
- India is promoting Africa Union incorporation into the G20 in 2023 as a step towards inclusive governance. Indian influence must not only come with the aim of influencing current systems but also from developing its strong global cooperation mechanism.
- Utilizing existing partnerships, such as with the UN, Germany, or France, may enable India to gain experience in leading their own initiatives at the institutional level.
