The Indian PM’s July 2–9, 2025 tour, one of his longest, included Brazil (for the BRICS Summit) and four Global South nations — Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia — highlighting India’s outreach and solidarity with developing countries amid global instability.

• The 17th BRICS Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the grouping’s evolution as it witnessed a major expansion in membership and partnerships.
• The summit’s theme was ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’, highlighting the rising leadership role of the Global South.

About Global South

• Global South refers to various countries around the world that are sometimes described as ‘developing’, ‘less developed’ or ‘underdeveloped’. 
• Origin: The term Global South was first used in 1969 by Carl Oglesby, but gained momentum after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• Geography: The term ‘Global South’ is not geographical. In fact, the Global South’s two largest countries — China and India — lie entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. 
• Regional Spread: Many of the Global South countries are in the Southern Hemisphere, largely in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 
• Attributes: Its usage denotes a mix of political, geopolitical and economic commonalities between nations.
  • Non-Linear Geography: Includes nations like India and China, which lie in the Northern Hemisphere, showing that the term ‘Global South’ is not geographically fixed.
  • Global Underrepresentation: Countries of the Global South face limited voice and influence in global decision-making bodies like the UN, IMF, and World Bank.
  • Developmental Imperatives: Shared goals include poverty alleviation, food and energy security, climate justice, and the pursuit of fair trade practices.
  • Human Development Gaps: Marked by deep socioeconomic disparities, including income inequality, low life expectancy, and substandard living conditions.
  • Coalitional Engagements: Act through platforms like the G77 (134 nations), Non-Aligned Movement (120 nations), and India-led Voice of the Global South Summits, fostering solidarity and joint advocacy.
• Variations within the Global South Countries:
  • Population Level: 4 out of the 5 most populous nations of the world are in Asia (India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan).
  • Economic Growth: In recent decades, Asian economies (especially in East Asia) have grown the fastest and are expected to do so in the future as well.
    • The IMF’s World Economic Outlook data frequently highlights “Emerging and Developing Asia” as having the highest growth rates.
    • Income Level: Latin American countries, except Venezuela are either upper-middle or high-income (e.g., Uruguay, Chile, Brazil) with GDP per capita > $10,000, while several African members of the Global South region remain under $1,000 GDP per capita (e.g., Burundi, Central African Republic (CAR), Niger), reflecting deep economic disparities.
  • Conflict Situation: 3 large African nations- Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan have been affected by long and bloody civil conflicts.

Global South Rising: A Shift in World Power

• Economic Rebalancing & Emerging Growth Poles: Nations like India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia are becoming key drivers of global growth. 
  • By 2030, many top economies will be from the Global South, influencing trade, investment, and financial institutions.
  • The Global South boasts immense strength- 85% of the world’s population, over 40% of global GDP (PPP), and South-South trade comprising over 25% of world trade, collectively driving economic growth and diplomatic influence.
  • Alternative Institutions: New entities like the New Development Bank (NDB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) offer non-Western development finance alternatives, challenging the IMF–World Bank dominance.
• Challenge to Global Governance: Global South countries advocate for restructuring outdated institutions like the UNSC, IMF, and World Bank, arguing they no longer reflect contemporary global realities.
  • Push for Inclusive Multilateralism: Focus on climate justice, food security, pandemics, and poverty, with calls for greater voice in global decision-making.
  • New Platforms: Forums like expanded BRICS and India’s Voice of the Global South Summit are asserting collective influence and offering alternatives to Western-led platforms.
• Geopolitical Shifts & Strategic Autonomy: The world is moving from unipolar/bipolar to a multipolar order, with emerging economies shaping global narratives.
  • Global South nations bring post-colonial perspectives and diverse development experiences to international debates.
  • Asian nations are predicted to play a significant role and is known by experts as the “Asian Century”.
• Demographic & Cultural Leverage: Home to the majority of the global population, the Global South wields significant human capital and consumer power.
  • Cultural Assertion: Growing influence in global values, governance norms, and development models, promoting pluralism over Western universality.

Challenges Faced by the Global South

• Vulnerability to Global Headwinds: The Global South faces compounded developmental challenges due to structural vulnerabilities and external shocks:
  • Climate Change: Despite minimal per capita emissions, developing nations bear the brunt of climate shocks like floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.
    • Example: African nations contribute <4% of global CO₂ emissions, yet suffer disproportionately.
  • Cost-of-Living Crisis: Global inflation and commodity price volatility have eroded real incomes and intensified poverty.
  • Stalled SDG Progress: With less than 5 years to 2030, most Global South nations are off-track on core Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Declining Productivity: Weak infrastructure, inadequate human capital, and lack of technology access lead to stagnant productivity.
  • Liquidity Crunch: Lack of emergency liquidity support mechanisms hurts crisis response and fiscal sustainability.
  • Broken Debt Architecture: The absence of fair, timely, and coordinated debt restructuring mechanisms leads to chronic debt distress.
    • Example: Sri Lanka’s default and Zambia’s debt crisis reflect the structural fragility of the system.
• Financial Challenges in the Global South: Most developing countries lack deep and mature capital markets.
  • They attract capital at short tenure and prohibitive interest rates, limiting their ability to finance long-term sustainable growth.
    • China’s significant loans to African nations, notably for infrastructure like Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway ($3.6 billion for the first phase), Angola’s oil-backed reconstruction ($46.0 billion between 2000 and 2023) & Zambia’s cumulative debt to China is estimated around $9.5 billion raised concerns about debt sustainability and transparency across the continent.
  • The existing financial system is ill-suited for the scale and urgency of development financing in the Global South.
  • High debt-to-GDP ratios, currency mismatches, and over-reliance on external commercial borrowing contribute to debt traps.
  • The G20 Common Framework for debt resolution remains slow and ineffective.
• Technological Disparities: Many Global South nations lack Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) needed for last-mile governance and service delivery.
  • During the pandemic, countries with strong DPIs could provide emergency support, while others lagged behind.
  • Digital inequality now widens the gap in AI adoption, fintech access, and e-governance.
• Resource Weaponisation: Strategic minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are increasingly weaponised in the race for green technologies.
  • Monopoly over supply chains restricts access for developing countries.
    • Example: China controls around 70% of rare earths processing globally, affecting the ability of others to scale clean tech.
• Geopolitical Marginalisation: The Global South continues to have limited voice and representation in multilateral bodies like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank.
  • Institutional frameworks often reflect Global North interests, perpetuating systemic inequalities.
• Nuances and Internal Contradictions: The Global South is not a homogenous bloc:
  • Variations in governance, economic structures, and development priorities. This hinders unified advocacy at global platforms.
  • Geopolitical Rivalries (e.g., US–China): Smaller nations often face strategic dilemmas, forced to navigate between competing power centres without jeopardising sovereignty or growth interests.
• Other Systemic Constraints: There is a persistent North-South divide in access to capital, healthcare, clean energy, and innovation—key drivers of development.
  • External Interference: Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China is building strategic leverage by financing infrastructure. However, concerns over debt dependency and asymmetric benefits remain.
  • US Hegemony in a Supposedly Multipolar World: Despite multipolar rhetoric, the US continues to dominate global finance and trade, largely through control of the dollar, SWIFT, and multilateral banks.

India’s Leadership in the Global South: A Multifaceted Role

• Historical Legacy and Moral Authority- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India’s founding role in NAM post-independence established its image as a moral voice for decolonized nations. 
  • Anti-Colonial Solidarity:  India’s own freedom struggle and vocal support for decolonization in Africa and Asia have earned it lasting goodwill and moral legitimacy in the Global South.
• Economic Strength and Development Model- Rising Economic Power: As the 4th-largest global economy, India plays an increasingly pivotal role in South-South trade, investment, and capacity-building.
  • Digital Public Infrastructure Export: India is exporting scalable digital governance tools like UPI, Aadhaar, telemedicine, and CoWIN to Global South partners.
    • Example: UPI rollout in Namibia showcases fintech inclusion leadership.
  • Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), India helps countries develop sustainable and adaptive infrastructure in the face of climate threats.
  • Development Assistance: India’s assistance model includes the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, Lines of Credit, and technical collaboration in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
  • Vaccine Maitri Initiative: India supplied COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 countries, reinforcing its image as a trusted development partner and a champion of global health equity.
• Political Influence and Diplomatic Assertiveness- Voice in Multilateral Forums: India consistently raises Global South concerns in platforms such as the G20, BRICS, G77, and the UN, advocating for institutional reform, inclusive multilateralism, and greater Southern representation.
  • G20 Presidency (2023): India used its presidency to amplify Southern priorities, support Africa’s permanent membership in the G20, and promote inclusive diplomacy.
  • Voice of the Global South Summits (2023 & 2024): India hosted two major summits engaging 120+ developing countries, enhancing its stature as a diplomatic convener and coalition builder for Southern solidarity.
  • Balanced Foreign Policy: India maintained strategic autonomy on contentious issues like Gaza and Iran during forums such as BRICS, gaining trust without aligning blindly with any global bloc.
• Strategic Partnerships and Sectoral Cooperation: India is deepening sectoral partnerships that reflect shared development priorities and mutual benefit:
  • Ghana: Collaboration on rare earth mineral mining and maritime security, ensuring resource security and blue economy cooperation.
  • Argentina: Lithium exploration deal via KABIL in Catamarca reflects India’s commitment to clean energy supply chains and technology transfer.
  • Namibia: Agreements on biofuels, critical minerals, and UPI fintech rollout highlight India’s leadership in green energy and digital inclusion.
  • Brazil: Defence engagement including Brazilian interest in India’s Akash missile system, showcasing rising South-South defence cooperation.
• Demographic and Cultural Soft Power- Population & Market Size: India’s demographic dividend and large consumer base make it a key economic and political partner for many developing nations.
  • Cultural Diplomacy: India’s global promotion of yoga, Bollywood, and Sanskritized soft power has enhanced its cultural appeal.
    • Example: PM Modi’s addresses to foreign parliaments foster trust and people-to-people ties.
  • Diaspora Engagement: A globally dispersed Indian diaspora strengthens bilateral relations, economic links, and cultural affinity with countries across the Global South.

Way Forward

• Champion Technological Sovereignty and Digital Cooperation: Rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies present transformative opportunities across education, healthcare, emergency services, and commerce. India must champion inclusive digital transformation for the Global South.
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India’s success with UPI, Aadhaar, and CoWIN provides a blueprint for scalable, low-cost governance tools.
  • Global Repository of Best Practices: A multilateral coalition, led by India, should create a repository of DPI best practices and support member countries in capacity building.
• IMF Reform & Liquidity Provision: A reformed IMF must provide accessible dollar liquidity lines for countries like India and Indonesia, reducing reliance on self-insured reserves. This would unlock funds for development and reduce macroeconomic vulnerability.
  • Enhanced Climate Finance: India should push for climate finance mechanisms that go beyond public and multilateral aid by:
    • Engaging capital markets
    • Promoting mandatory global disclosures on emissions
    • Creating machine-readable sustainability databases
    • Supporting new ESG-focused rating agencies
  • Tackling Corporate Emissions: Given that 1% of listed companies produce 40% of GHGs, regulatory focus must shift towards corporate responsibility in both North and South.
• Champion Multilateral Reform & Global Governance Equity: India should lead advocacy for democratising global institutions to reflect 21st-century realities and Global South aspirations.
  • Permanent membership for Africa in G20 (already supported by India) must extend to UNSC representation and WTO decision-making parity.
  • Institutionalise the Voice of the Global South: India should institutionalise the “Voice of the Global South” platform as a permanent forum to coordinate positions in global summits and ensure collective bargaining power.
• Secure Strategic Resources and Supply Chain Resilience: India must lead efforts to de-risk and diversify mineral supply chains, especially for lithium, rare earths, and cobalt crucial for the green transition.
  • Strategic investments in Africa and Latin America will secure both national interests and Southern solidarity.
• Expand South-South Financing and Development Cooperation: India should leverage the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) and International Solar Alliance (ISA) to finance clean energy, technology transfer, and health infrastructure in partner countries.
• Deepen Regional Ties & Strategic Blocs: India should strengthen partnerships with:
  • CARICOM (Caribbean), African Union (AU), ECOWAS (West Africa) and Mercosur (South America)
    • These alliances help coordinate positions, ensure resource pooling, and build a shared development agenda. 

Conclusion

The Indian PM’s recent visit signals India’s renewed leadership in the Global South, balancing values, interests, and global ambitions. As the South rises, India champions a reformed world order that empowers developing nations.

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